In a partnership with the American Society for Microbiology (ASM), students who have a bachelor's degree in a qualifying field (e.g. biological science or chemistry) will have the opportunity to, through this program, qualify to take the Technologist in Microbiology M(ASCP) certification examination from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) via Route 3.
This four course program is set to be an affordable and efficient option for students looking to advance their career into a Medical Laboratory profession.
This program is only available to students in the United States. California and New York residents are not eligible.
The American Society of Microbiology Certification with Medical Laboratory Sciences will focus on fundamental and ethical skills, including:
This is a post-baccalaureate certificate for those who have previously graduated with a qualifying degree.
After completing the 12 credit hours required for certification (courses listed below), you are then eligible to sit for the Technologist in Microbiology exam through ASCP, and enter the clinical workforce.
The average starting salary for a Technologist in Microbiology is around $54,000.
For additional opportunities regarding board certification, please visit ascp.org.
MLS 5201: Clinical
Microbiology I
Credit hours: 3
This course will cover bacterial structures, bacterial metabolism, taxonomy, Gram staining, media selection and composition, colony morphology, biochemical tests, antimicrobials, and identification of pathogens. The organisms studied will include aerobic Gram-positive cocci, aerobic Gram-negative diplococci, Gram positive rods, spirochetes, and aerobic Gram-negative bacilli.
Credit hours: 3
This course will cover anaerobes of clinical importance, mycobacteria, obligate intracellular parasites, viruses, parasites of clinical importance, mycology, and molecular diagnostics. The identification and pathogenesis of these organisms will also be reviewed. The emphasis of this course will be to present clinically relevant material to the clinical microbiology laboratory.
Credit hours: 3
This course covers advanced concepts in the clinical laboratory. Material covered will include basic statistical concepts and procedures, experimental design and basic research concepts, analyzer selections and method validation, and various laboratory management theories and techniques. This course will focus on performing a variety of statistical techniques used in method verification/validation studies. The main software package used in this course is Microsoft Excel.
Credit hours: 3
The student will attend a four-week rotation at a clinical affiliate of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program at Weber State University. It is the goal of these institutions to assist students in completing their education by providing a variety of clinical laboratory experiences and exposure to the professional workplace. All student placements are scheduled and coordinated through the clinical rotation coordinator. A student should not try to arrange or rearrange clinical rotation schedules.
Listed are the cities and states currently participating in this program, alphabetized by state. If you already have a lab willing to support you with clinical hours, we can establish an agreement. For more information, questions or to request a potential location, please fill out our Request Information form below. ( * Indicates the affiliation agreement is still in progress.)
Enroll at Weber State University
Weber State University (WSU) is an open-enrollment university, you can apply anytime by visiting the link above.
Don't forget, once a Wildcat always a Wildcat. If you've taken a WSU course in the past (including concurrently) please visit Return to Weber for more information.
General admissions fee is $30. You will be asked to submit your undergraduate degree transcripts. Select Technologist in Microbiology as your major.
Apply to the ASM-MLS Program
After WSU enrollment, you will receive a W# and then you can apply to the ASM-MLS program, linked above. Minimum GPA of 2.7 is required. Application fee is $125. Be sure to allow pop-ups on the payment screen for the payment screen to load.
Once you apply, our program coordinators will review your transcripts and application to make sure you qualify under Route 3 for Microbiology Technologists.
Requirements include:
OR
We want to be sure you succeed in your ever upward dreams, and in an online format we also want you to know we are here to help.
Our online coordinators will match you with an affiliated laboratory that is participating in the ASM-WSU program. Both student and participating laboratory will need to sign an agreement that dictates how and when the clinical rotation will occur.
For further questions, please contact our advisor Kandi Tait at kanditait@weber.edu.
After verification, advisement and laboratory requirements are met, students will receive an email with instructions on how to register for your MLS courses.
If you have any questions or concerns during the application process or registration, please feel free to contact us at:
801-626-6118
