On Jan. 20, 2024, the Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program at PCOM Georgia was recognized as a Serious Applicant for Initial Accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
According to program director Karen Giddens, MS, MLS(ASCP), achieving “Serious Applicant” status signifies a critical progression towards full accreditation.
“This status means our students are officially eligible to sit for the ASCP certification,” she explained. Previously students had to achieve eligibility through their academic work and attempt to attain employment at an accredited laboratory that would train on the job. Currently, the ASCP policy states they must attain two years of full-time work experience in all disciplines before eligibility is approved through that route.
In addition to this achievement, PCOM is guaranteed a site visit as part of the accreditation process. This visit ensures accreditation for a minimum of four years and up to a maximum of seven years, subject to no deficiencies being noted during the evaluation.
This accreditation milestone underscores PCOM's dedication to providing high-quality education in medical laboratory science, Giddens added, and reflects the collective efforts of faculty, staff, and students who have demonstrated a commitment to excellence.
"Achieving 'Serious Applicant' status is a testament to the hard work and dedication of everyone involved in our program,” Giddens said. “This milestone reaffirms our commitment to maintaining the highest standards in medical laboratory science education and preparing our students to become highly qualified laboratory scientists armed with the knowledge and skills that our profession desires."
Launched in 2022, the MS in Medical Laboratory Science program offers pre-professional and post-professional degree options. To learn more, visit pcom.edu/mls.
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