Biomedical Sciences: B.S. Biomedical Sciences
Cytotechnology Submajor

Clinical Training

The professional clinical training in Cytotechnology at UWM is a 12 month training program that runs from September - August. The Cytology Department at ACL Laboratories located at West Allis Memorial Hospital serves as the professional training site. Upon graduation, you will be eligible to take the professional certification examination offered through the American Society for Clinical Pathology - Board of Certification (www.ascp.org/Board-of-Certification).


Admission Criteria

There are two ways to be admitted into the Professional Level (Clinical Training) of the Cytotechnology program.

Route A:
You may begin the program as an Cytotechnology major in your Freshman year and apply for professional training in your Senior year meeting the following criteria:

  1. Completion of a minimum of 90 semester hours of course work, including all required courses and General Education Requirements of UWM, and
  2. An overall minimum UWM grade point average (GPA) of 2.5, and
  3. A minimum GPA of 2.5 in the specified science courses:
    • Chemistry: 102, 104, 221, 341, 342, 501
    • Bio Sciences: 202, 203, 260, 303
    • Clinical Lab Sciences: 301-305, 427, 428, & any other CLS courses taken, and
  5. A minimum grade of C in all junior level science courses.

Route B:
You can apply to the program if you hold a baccalaureate degree in Biological Sciences, having held a overall minimum GPA of 2.5, and meet the following criteria:

  1. Biological Sciences: 20 semester or 30 quarter credits required. Recommended courses include: anatomy, physiology, microbiology, parasitology, cell biology or molecular diagnostics, genetics, histology, pathology, immunology.
  2. Chemistry: 8 semester or 12 quarter credits required.
  3. Mathematics: 3 semester or 4 quarter credits required.
  4. Liberal Studies: 12 semester or 30 quarter credits required.
  5. Electives: To bring total to 99 semester or 140 quarter credits.

Application Process

Students must complete the following steps in the application process:

  1. Complete the Cytotechnology application form and return it to the Biomedical Sciences department office (Enderis Hall, Room 411) by December 1.
  2. Submit an autobiography along with your application form describing yourself, your accomplishments, any work experience including health care, why you have chosen Cytotechnology as your profession, and your future goals. It should be one page, double-spaced on 8.5 x 11 paper.
  3. Contact the three people whose names you listed on the application form as references and ask them to complete the Letter Of Reference form and return it to the applicant in a sealed envelope with their signature over the sealed area by December 1. References may be employers, teachers, TA's clergy, or other qualified individuals, excluding relatives and friends.
  4. If you are not a UWM student, submit a college transcript. See your advisor for more information.

Review Of Applicants

The ACL Laboratory Program Officials will review the application materials.

Tours Of Clinical Affiliate Site

Tours of ACL Laboratory - Cytology Department can be arranged by contacting the ACL Education Coordinator at (414) 328-7121.

Interviews with Clinical Education Coordinators

The Cytotechnology Program Officials at ACL Laboratory will review the application materials and schedule an interview at ACL Central Lab located at Aurora West Allis Memorial Hospital in February or March.

Clinical Placements

Upon completion of the interviews, the ACL Cytotechnology Program Officials will send out acceptance or rejection letters on April 1. Applicants will have one (1) week to respond to the acceptance letter and confirm interest in a clinical placement.

Student Handbook

A student handbook will be provided for your convenience and reference by the clinical training site at the start of the professional training.

Important Information

Make an appointment in October with the College of Health Sciences Student Affairs Office (414) 229-2758 to review your transcripts and go through a degree audit to ensure that your academic records are in order.

A physical examination to assess health status is required prior to starting professional clinical training.

Health Status Assessment forms should be submitted to the BMS Program office, Enderis 411.

The clinical affiliate sites require students to have health insurance while in the clinical rotation.

Drug screens and background checks may also be requested by the clinical affiliate site.

Rotation schedules, vacations, and other time off are matters which are decided individually by each clinical site. The University academic calendar does not apply.

Cytotechnology students can expect textbook fees of approximately $1000 during clinical training.

Students are expected to register for classes at UWM in the usual fashion at the beginning of the Summer, Fall, and Spring semesters of the senior year. University fees will be charged.

 
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