The Certificate in Blood Banking trains students to meet the critical need for medical laboratory scientists in the workforce that make sure donated blood is safe for use in blood transfusions and other procedures.
Why choose us?
- UWM’s College of Health Sciences is widely known for its excellent teaching and student learning environment, innovative research programs, community engagement and service to various health care professions.
- The 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 Program is available to returning, non-degree students who wish additional credentials in Blood Banking/Immunohematology for career development/enhancement.
What can I do with a Certificate in Blood Banking/Immunohematology?
Successful completion of this certificate 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. Planned curriculum meets entry-level practitioner competency as outlined by the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science.
Admission
AdmissionApplicants are admitted to the certificate program in one of two categories:
- Current UWM undergraduate student enrolled in the Biomedical Sciences submajor who has achieved junior standing and a UWM and science grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or above (4.0 scale).
- Post-baccalaureate student with a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a major in biological science or chemistry, or baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of biology, chemistry and/or medical science courses including genetics within the last 5 years and a grade point average of 3.0 or above (4.0 scale).
Coursework
CourseworkStudents must earn at least a 2.50 GPA and a grade of C or better in the courses listed above to obtain the certificate.
| Course | Offered* | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Total Credits: | 15 | |
| BMS 427/428: Clinical Immunology Lecture/Lab | F | 4 |
| BMS 529: Introduction to Immunohematology | F | 3 |
| BMS 530: Immunohematology and Blood Banking Laboratory | F | 1 |
| BMS 532: Advanced Clinical Immunohematology and Immunology** | S | 3 |
| BMS 560/561: Molecular Diagnostics Lecture/Lab | S | 3 |
| BMS 599: Advanced Independent Study | F/S | 1 |
*Course offerings are subject to change.
**BMS 532 is a 4-week capstone course (120 clinical hours) of practical training experience working in a clinical blood bank laboratory.
Graduation
GraduationThe 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 for the certificate program.