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Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Hematology for Medical Laboratory Science

Study Blood at the Molecular Level

The George Washington University’s (GW) online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Hematology for Medical Laboratory Science is designed for those looking to be at the forefront of blood-related disease detection and treatment. You’ll learn how to collect and test blood and its elements, and establish procedures vital to the processing of these blood samples. When you complete the program, you’ll have the credentials for success as a hematologist and be prepared to use the latest biomedical instruments and molecular techniques to investigate and determine the causes of disease.

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Quick Facts

18

total credits

ASCP H

Qualify for the ASCP in Hematology (H) exam

1 year

average duration

Accreditation and Rankings

  • Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
  • #62 Best National University*

* The U.S. News & World Report – 2023 Rankings

Program Highlights

  • Online courses, no visits to campus required
  • The program requires 18 total credits and can be finished in 12 months
  • Qualify to sit for the ASCP Technologist in Hematology (H) exam**
  • Accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS)
  • Applicants with clinical laboratory experience may be eligible to waive individual clinical practicum requirements

Curriculum

The online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Hematology for Medical Laboratory Science program is an 18-credit-hour program designed to prepare you to become a hematologist. You’ll learn to use the latest in hematology methods and technology to determine the cause of disease.

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Program Outcomes

When you complete this certificate program you’ll be able to:

  • Apply principles of traditional and molecular laboratory procedures to perform diagnostic analyses
  • Correlate laboratory data and quality control data to assess patient test results
  • Apply knowledge of laboratory science principles as they relate to human disease diagnosis
  • Maintain a safe work environment
  • Comply with laboratory safety regulations and regulatory policies
  • Apply ethical decision-making to issues related to clinical laboratory practice
  • Succeed as a hematologist or hematology specialist

Who Is the Ideal Student for This Program?

Hematologists and hematology specialists typically possess strong attention to detail and display great precision in their work. They are able to understand complicated instructions and policies while verifying the quality of their work and the work of their peers. They have great organizational and analytical skills as they need to perform and record multiple patient test results throughout the day.

This certificate program is best for those who have successfully completed a baccalaureate degree, typically in a science such as biology, chemistry, or microbiology, and want to pursue a profession as a hematologist or hematology specialist without completing another bachelor’s degree. There will also be a clinical rotation requirement in your geographical area to complete this program. Applicants with clinical laboratory experience may be eligible to waive individual clinical practicum requirements.

Career Outlook

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects that the increase in the aging population is expected to lead to a greater need for hematologists to diagnose medical conditions through laboratory procedures, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes. Overall employment of medical laboratory technologists and technicians is expected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations, with a median salary of $54,180 per year.1

Hematologists can pursue a variety of career options:

  • Lab Manager: $70,349 median salary2
  • Blood Bank Technologist: $48,400 median salary2
  • Certified Medical Technologist: $50,129 median salary2
  • Medical Lab Technologist: $52,450 median salary2

Please be aware that the fully online post-baccalaureate certificate programs do not meet the student lab requirement for NY state licensure. Also, for those applying to the fully online post-baccalaureate categorical certificates in hematology, microbiology, blood banking, and chemistry, the state of New York does not provide licensure for categorical certification (e.g., Technologist in Microbiology, Technologist in Blood Banking, etc.). We recommend that students who live in New York or plan to relocate to New York do research to determine the NY licensure requirements.

Admission Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

  • Completed application
  • Cumulative and Science GPA of 2.5 or above on a 4.0 scale
  • A bachelor’s degree from an accredited university
  • Resume/CV
  • Personal statement: Applicants must include a 250–500 word essay describing your reasons for undertaking study at GW, your academic objectives, career goals and related qualifications, including collegiate, professional, and community activities, relevant to your program of interest. Include any substantial accomplishments not already mentioned on the application form.
  • One letter of recommendation
See All Requirements

Tuition Details

The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Hematology for Medical Laboratory Science program at GW consists of 18 credit hours. Please find the cost per credit hour and total estimated program costs here.

Note: Tuition rates are subject to change and additional fees may vary by program. Please call at (844) 386-7323 for more information.

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Meet the Program Director

Cliff Cymrot, MLS(ASCP), MT(AAB), MT(AMT), MHA

Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Program Director

Cliff Cymrot is the current Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program director and has over 10 years of experience in combined teaching and clinical laboratory practice.

In addition to his program director duties, Cliff Cymrot teaches a range of courses within the MLS program, both online and face-to-face, such as Hematology I and II, Clinical Microbiology I and II lab, Immunohematology lab, Clinical Biochemistry I and II lab, and Molecular Diagnostics lab.

Prior to his arrival at George Washington University (GW), Cliff Cymrot worked as a medical laboratory technician at a medium-sized, 200-bed hospital in upstate NY. In 2008, Cliff Cymrot worked for Advance Magazine for Laboratory Professionals providing storylines for the comic strip “Lab out Loud” that he worked on with his brother-in-law. He has also been a contributor for several chapters in the Textbook of Diagnostic Microbiology by Mahon, Lehman, and Manuselis.

He is also a member of the D.C. chapter for the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science, American Medical Technologists (AMT), and the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB). He also holds certifications in ASCP, AMT, and AAB in medical laboratory science.

In 2010, he earned his BS in Medical Technology from the University of Cincinnati. He was then promoted to medical technologist and soon after began working as an adjunct instructor for SUNY Orange teaching Microbiology for Health Professionals, Fundamentals of Anatomy and Physiology, and Certification Preparation.

In 2014, he earned a master’s degree in Health Administration. After graduation, he received an offer to facilitate an online graduate-level course in health systems management at the University of Cincinnati.

In 2015, he was offered a position at GW to teach all of the laboratory courses in the newly created BSHS in MLS blended/hybrid program. After three years, he was then offered the position as program director for the undergraduate courses for the MLS program here at GW.

Frequently Asked Questions

As you explore an online program at the George Washington University, our dedicated staff is here to support you. If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call 844-386-7323.

Visit our FAQ page

Sources and Disclaimers:

  1. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (2021 September 8). Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians. Occupational Outlook Handbook. Retrieved February 18, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm.
  2. Burning Glass Technologies: Labor Insight™. Retrieved January 16, 2020.

*Since each state may have different requirements for licensure, each student is encouraged to contact their state’s regulating agency and review these requirements prior to beginning any degree program. States requiring licensure may require extended duration of practicum experiences, additional academic courses (outside the student’s program of study), etc. These additional requirements may require you to take a course or courses outside of GW

In particular, New York and California have additional requirements for state licensure. Both NY and CA require extended times for practicum rotations. Please also be aware that the fully online post-baccalaureate certificate programs do not meet the student lab requirement for NY state licensure. Also, for those applying to the fully online post-baccalaureate categorical certificates in hematology, microbiology, blood banking, and chemistry, the state of New York does not provide licensure for categorical certification (i.e., Technologist in Microbiology, Technologist in Blood Banking, etc.). We recommend that students who live in New York or California or plan to relocate to New York or California do research to determine the NY and CA licensure requirements.