Howard University offers the Clinical Laboratory Science program online to certified Clinical Laboratory Technicians (CLT)/ Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT), who are currently working in the field and wish to advance their education and their employment potential. The online delivery option provides qualified individuals with the same standard of intellectual development, professional growth and quality education as on-site Howard University students receive. All graduates of the program are eligible to take the professional certification examinations (NCA or ASCP) at the technologist level. For additional information on Distance Learning (DL) at Howard University, to determine whether the online delivery option is appropriate for you, as well as directions to orient you to the unique DL environment at Howard University LOGIN to the DL Orientation site: http://www.cetla.howard.edu/dl_students.htm

Admission Requirements:

1. Professional certification as a MLT ( ASCP) or CLT (NCA)
2. Associates degree from a regionally accredited National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) approved institution or equivalent
3. GPA of = 2.5 on a 4.0 scale required for transfer to Howard University.
4. The following pre-professional course requirements necessary to earn a degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from Howard University:

Application Process:

1. Candidates must complete a Howard University application (available at
http://www.howard.edu) as well as an Upper Division Application.
Upper Division applications are available at:
Upper Division Application.
2. The Upper Division Application for online students must include the following:
o Completed application form
o Complete Clinical Laboratory work history in resume format
o Official transcripts in sealed envelopes
o Notarized copy of MLT certification verification
o 2 letters of professional recommendation

*Application deadlines are posted on the Howard University website.

Credit by Examination:

Credit may be awarded by examination for any junior level Clinical Laboratory Science course, with the exception of Clinical Immunology-Writing and OSHA Seminar.

Challenge examinations are offered to students who are officially enrolled at Howard University in the upper division of the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program.

Students must submit a completed Application for Credit by Examination, for each course being challenged, to the CLS Department no less than 30 days before the beginning of the semester. Students are encouraged to apply as soon as they are accepted to the program.

Approval to take an examination is dependent upon: 1) completion of all prerequisites for the course; 2) an official academic record (transcript) documenting completion of the course with a grade of C or higher. In addition the course must be transferable to Howard University.

Students must take examinations (at least 5 days) prior to the end of the university ‘change of program period.’

Examinations are administered on-line and must be completed under the supervision of a proctor, as prescribed by the CLS Department.

Only one challenge examination attempt will be allowed for each course.

The minimum passing score on challenge examinations is 75%.

The department of Clinical Laboratory Science will maintain a record of the examination results in the student’s folder. Credit hours only (no letter grade) will be entered on the student’s academic record for the course.

Students who score 74% or less on a challenge examination must register and successfully complete the course for credit.

Clinical Rotations:

Students who have completed all didactic courses and have a minimum GPA of 2.5 can submit documentation of training and work experiences for evaluation. Based on the faculty’s assessment of the student’s clinical experiences, a rotation may be required in some or all areas. Students will be required to identify potential CLIA /JCAHO approved clinical sites willing to sign an affiliation agreement with Howard University to provide the required clinical experience. If an acceptable site is not available, the student must complete the rotation at a Howard University clinical affiliate in the Washington, DC Metropolitan Area.
Credit for clinical experiences will be awarded based on faculty evaluation of the clinical experience and successful completion of the End of Rotation Examinations. Students must also submit:

1. A cover letter with a one to two-page narrative on 8 ½ x11 paper, size 12 font and double spaced, with one-inch margins on each side. The narrative should include an evaluation of the individual’s professional strengths and weaknesses and projected career goals.

2. A completed clinical performance evaluation form signed by the immediate laboratory supervisor which outlines and evaluates the performance in the clinical laboratory as well as the student’s ability to interact effectively with peers and supervisors.
Clinical Performance Evaluation form

3. Clinical training forms which outline the entry-level laboratory competencies achieved in those areas in which the student has completed on-the-job training. The forms must be completed and signed by a supervisor.

4. Any other documents that may be relevant to the student’s clinical laboratory performance (projects, commendations, awards, volunteer work, etc.)

Examinations:

The integrity of the academic process is an essential element of the Howard University education; therefore all critical examinations (challenge examinations, final course examinations, end-of–rotation examinations and the final comprehensive examinations) are proctored. Students in the Washington, DC Metropolitan area are required to come to the campus for these examinations. If a student cannot take an examination at the scheduled time, the student may arrange an alternate time with the instructor at the instructor’s convenience. Examinations must be completed within five (5) days of the scheduled date.
Students who cannot come to the Howard University campus are required to select a proctor who is willing to supervise the examination online using Blackboard. Proctors must be identified and approved at least three weeks before the examination date. This allows the Department sufficient time to contact students if the proctor is not approved and they must submit another. Approved proctors must work at a professional institution and include the following: academic administrators, academic deans or department chairmen at a college or university, education officers at a military establishment, school superintendents or principals, or a supervisor at an independent testing center. Verification of the proctor’s position (e.g., proctor is listed on institutional webpage or directory; institutional e-mail addresses; letter of verification on letterhead from a supervisor) must accompany the Proctor Agreement Form available at the link below:
Proctor Agreement Form

Proctors cannot be a student’s employer or employee, immediate supervisor, co-worker, spouse, relative or friend. Exams cannot be sent to or written at a residential address. The proctor must sign the Proctor Agreement Form prior to the date of the examination.

A passing score of 70 % on the Final Comprehensive Examination is required for graduation from the department.

Assignments:

Cheating on assignments and plagiarism are considered serious violations of the standards of academic integrity. Plagiarism is the unauthorized use of another’s work including their words, ideas, theories, and opinions without appropriate acknowledgement. For more information on plagiarism, see the English Department’s “Statement on Plagiarism.” and the HU Library’s plagiarism site at http://www.howard.edu/library/Assist/Guides/Plagiarism.htm
If a student is suspected of plagiarism or another form of cheating, the Department reserves the right to inspect the student’s sources and /or require the student to make up the assignment with the supervision of an approved proctor.
Students found guilty of either plagiarism or other forms of cheating can expect severe penalties, ranging from failure on an assignment to being recommended for a hearing before a judiciary body of the University. For a list of penalties, which may be imposed, see The Student Code of Conduct and Judiciaries found in the Student Reference Manual and Directory of Classes and at:

http://www.howard.edu/specialstudentservices/codeofconduct-revised.pdf