Blood Banking / Immunohematology

Certificate

Successful completion of the Certificate in blood banking/immunohematology allows you to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) Technologist/Scientist in Blood Bank national certification exam and be employable in a medical laboratory or blood center. The curriculum meets entry-level practitioner competency as outlined by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.

• Our Medical Laboratory Sciences Program has been accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) since 1987.
• Coursework includes lecture and laboratory courses that focus on application and preparation for the nationally recognized certification exam (American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) Technologist/Scientist in Blood Bank).
• The certificate is available to returning, nondegree students who want additional credentials in blood banking/immunohematology for career development/enhancement.

Applicants are admitted to the certificate program in one of two categories:

1. Current UWM undergraduate student enrolled in the biomedical sciences submajor who has achieved junior standing with a UWM and science grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above (4.0 scale).
2. Post-baccalaureate student with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, with either a major in biological science or chemistry, or a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of biology, chemistry and/or medical science courses including genetics within the last five years and a GPA of 3.0 or above (4.0 scale).

Important Information

This certificate program is subject to federal gainful employment regulations.

Due to new federal financial aid regulations, beginning with the summer 2017 term, students who had not previously been awarded federal financial aid at UWM and are enrolled in a stand-alone certificate program will no longer be eligible for federal Title IV aid. Students in a standalone certificate who are seeking financial assistance may be eligible for private loans. Private loans are not guaranteed as they are subject to lender approval including a credit check.

FastChoice is a tool that will help you learn what to look for when shopping for a private loan. At the end of the short tutorial, it will provide a comparison shopping tool allowing you to sort, filter, and compare up to five lenders at one time.

Upon applying for the loan of your choice and being approved, the UWM Financial Aid Office will be notified by the lender to provide enrollment information. At such time the loan will be added to your financial aid award.

To be awarded the Certificate you must earn a minimum 2.50 GPA and a grade of C or better in the courses listed below.

F, S, SU (fall, spring, summer) refers to semesters in which courses are taught. Course offerings are subject to change.

*BMS 532 is a four-week capstone course (120 clinical hours) of practical training experience working in a clinical blood bank laboratory.

Graduation

The certificate program must be completed within three years of the start of your first certificate course. Minimum grades of C or better and a minimum GPA of 2.500 are required.