Doctorate of Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Admissions & Application Process

Application Deadlines

We are currently accepting applications for Fall 2025 entry.

Applications for Fall 2025 entry open on September 15, 2024 and will close on February 1, 2025.

All official documents must be received by AHCAS no later than February 1, 2025 to be considered for Fall 2025 entry.

All prerequisites must be completed at the time of application submission and applications will be considered on a rolling basis beginning Sept 15th – February 1st .

DCLS applicants will be notified of admissions status on May 16, 2025 for Fall 2025 entry.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must have a Bachelor of Arts or a Bachelor of Science degree with completion of a nationally accredited program of clinical laboratory sciences. Applicants will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

1. Completion of a nationally-accredited program for clinical/medical laboratory sciences at the baccalaureate degree level.
2. Professional certification as a generalist Medical Laboratory Scientist from the American Society for Clinical Pathology-Board of Certification, MT (ASCP) or MLS(ASCP).
3. Minimum of three years of clinical laboratory experience as an ASCP certified Medical Laboratory Scientist, preferably as a generalist.
4. Completion of an application for admission, including official transcripts of undergraduate and graduate coursework from all institutions attended.
5. Completion of all prerequisite courses with a grade of 3.0 or higher (on a 4 point scale).
6. Three (3) letters of recommendation from individuals who have the knowledge to evaluate the applicant's academic and professional performance (two letters from professional supervisors/pathologists/laboratory manager and one letter from a college professor).
7. Curriculum vitae/Resume and personal statement/essay addressing career goals and reasons for pursuing the DCLS degree.
8. Personal interview (on campus or by video-audio conference)
9. International applicants will be considered. Applicants from non-English speaking countries must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score.

Interested individuals may request an exploratory meeting with the DCLS program director, Dr. Eddie Salazar, by emailing unofficial transcripts with your Name, Address and Phone number and the name of the program to dclsadmin@utmb.edu.

Application Process

To be considered for acceptance into the UTMB DCLS Program, the applicant must:

1. Complete the AHCAS application (submit online). You must also include the following items:
   1. the required application fee
   2. your signed and dated supporting statement
   3. if you are MLT or MLS certified, please indicate this fact in your supporting statement
2. Send transcripts from all previously attended universities and colleges.
   1. Applicants are requested to have their transcripts sent to AHCAS. Electronic submission greatly expedites processing and improves the accuracy of transcript evaluation.
   2. Provide foreign transcripts evaluation information, such as WES or ECE.
3. Include three (3) references* (name and email address) MUST be listed in the application prior to submission.
4. Complete personal interviews with the faculty of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

* Reference letter forms should be completed by individuals who can evaluate your work and professional ethics, study habits, and classroom/laboratory outcomes. These individuals may include a faculty member, teaching assistant, or work supervisor. If you have volunteer experience in the field of health care, the volunteer coordinator who supervised your experience may be able to complete the form.

Additional Admission Information

1. Admission to the program is determined by the DCLS Admissions Committee. (Must meet the Technical Standards.)
2. As a condition of admission, all matriculating students must complete a security background check, at cost to the student. Information will be sent to you about this background check after you are granted admission to the program.
3. Classes begin in the Fall Term.

International Students

Applicants whose tertiary-level education has been completed at international institutions in a non-English speaking country must meet the following requirements, in addition to providing the credentials for their prospective program:

1. Take and score satisfactorily on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if the native language is not English. A minimum satisfactory score is a total of 550 for the TOEFL PBT (or a minimum score of 79 on the TOEFL iBT(internet based)) or 6.5 for IELTS; however, TOEFL or IELTS score requirements are one of the many criteria of a student's admission, and the requirement could vary based upon previous education, GPA, and related factors. Test of Spoken English is recommended for applicants to the DCLS program.
2. Submit an acceptable English translation with the transcripts if the transcripts are not in English. If the degree is not indicated on transcript, a copy of the diploma and/or certificate issued by the school is required.

A summary of TOEFL Requirements for International Students is available on the UTMB SHP Academic and Student Affairs web page.