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Eligibility for the ASCP Technologist in Microbiology Exam 

The CLM program is the first Medical Laboratory Microbiologist program in the U.S. to be accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Upon finishing the certificate program, graduates are eligible to take the Technologist in Microbiology exam administered by the ASCP Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC). ASCP-BOC certification is required for anyone wanting to seek employment in medical laboratories in Florida and many other states.

Graduation Requirements

• 18 credits are required to complete the certificate
• Only courses completed with a grade of C or higher can be counted towards the certificate
• Students must maintain both a 3.0 overall GPA and a 3.0 major GPA to graduate
  • A lower GPA will result in academic probation and possible dismissal from the program

• Required Courses

  Students are required to complete the courses below (18 credits):

  Course	Course title	Credits	Semester
  MCB 5252	Microbiology, Immunology, & Immunotherapeutics	4	Spring, Sum A*
  PCB 5235	Immunology	3	Spring
  MCB 5270	Antimicrobial Resistance	3	Fall, Spring
  MCB 5666	Clinical research, quality control	1	Fall, Spring
  MCB 5816	Clinical Mycology	1	Fall, Spring, Sum A*
  MCB 5508	Clinical Virology	1	Fall, Spring, Sum A*
  MCB 5246	Clinical Parasitology	1	Fall, Spring
  MCB 5942L	Clinical Microbiology Lab	2	Fall, Spring, Sum C**
  MCB 5945L	Clinical Experience in Microbiology	2	Fall, Spring, Sum C**

  * Summer A refers to the first six-week summer session, mid-May through late June.

  ** Summer C refers to the 12-week summer session, mid-May through mid-August.

• Replacement Courses

  Students are required to take one elective course if they have already taken MCB4271.

  Course	Course title	Credits	Semester
  MCB 6796	Analysis, Interpretation and Visualization of Microbiological Data	3	Fall
  MCB 6656	Environmental Microbiology	3	Fall
  MCB 6424	Probiotics	3	Spring
  MCB 6670C	The Microbiome	3	Spring

   

  Students are required to take these courses IF they have already taken either PCB4233/PCB5235 or MCB5252, respectively.

  Course	Course title	Credits	Semester
  MCB 5215	Clinical immunology	1	Spring
  MCB 6937	Clinical bacteriology	1	Spring

   

• Introductory Course Track

  These 2 courses are required in addition to the standard 18 credits for students who lack a foundation in Microbiology and Microbiology Laboratory courses. It will be noted in your admission email if you are required to take either of these courses.

  Course	Course title	Credits	Semester
  MCB 5305L	Microbiology Lab	2	Sum C**
  MCB 6937	Biology of Microorganisms	3	Fall, Spring, Sum A*

  * Summer A refers to the first six-week summer session, mid-May through late June.

  ** Summer C refers to the 12-week summer session, mid-May through mid-August.

   

   

• Course Planning Documents

  The CLM program can be taken on its own or concurrently with our department's online Master of Science programs. The minimum number of courses to graduate varies depending on which pathway a student takes.

  Please review these example course planning documents to see which program will fulfill your goals. 

  • Course Planning Document for the Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist Certificate
  • Course Planning Document for the CLM + M.S. Medical Microbiology
  • Course Planning Document for the CLM + M.S. Microbiome in Health and Disease
• Career Competencies

  Graduates of the CLM program are prepared to enter the workforce as certified Clinical Microbiologists and demonstrate the following entry-level career competencies:

  • Perform the full scope of clinical microbiology testing, including specimen processing, culture and identification of bacteria, mycology, virology, parasitology and antimicrobial susceptibility testing, as well as emerging molecular and rapid diagnostic methods.
  • Apply safety practices and regulatory standards to ensure compliance with laboratory, biosafety and governmental guidelines.
  • Interpret and evaluate microbiological data to support accurate diagnosis, infection prevention, antimicrobial stewardship and public health reporting.
  • Communicate effectively with clinicians, patients, laboratory colleagues and public health authorities to ensure accurate and timely information exchange.
  • Demonstrate professional conduct and ethics, including patient confidentiality, quality assurance and accountability in laboratory practice.
  • Apply principles of laboratory management and operations, including workflow efficiency, quality improvement and regulatory compliance.
  • Utilize educational methods to train laboratory personnel, healthcare workers and community stakeholders in microbiology practices and infection control.
  • Engage in clinical research and innovation, contributing to the development, evaluation and implementation of new diagnostic tools and approaches.
  • Commit to lifelong learning and professional development, maintaining certification and contributing to the advancement of the microbiology profession through continuing education and professional organization participation.

   

• Affiliated Clinical Internship Sites

  Clinical affiliation sites will be available in Gainesville and across Florida. Because there are few clinical sites in Gainesville, students may need to accept the financial burden of traveling and residing away from home for part of their clinical assignments. The Microbiology and Cell Science Department will strive to place all students for their clinical rotations. However, there may be times when an external site for a scheduled clinical experience is unavailable due to factors outside the University's control. To address this, the Medical Laboratory Microbiology graduate certificate program will try to accommodate the students based on clinical laboratory availability.

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• Technical Standards

  The Technical Standards for the CLM program define the essential knowledge, skills and behaviors required for admission and continued participation. These standards are vital for ensuring student success, safeguarding patient safety and meeting accreditation requirements set by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). They help confirm that students are prepared to understand and apply clinical laboratory science principles effectively and that future professionals are competent and trustworthy in clinical settings. NAACLS mandates that these standards be publicly accessible and that students must meet them to remain in the program.

  Categories of technical standards:

  • Sensory and Perceptual Abilities: Includes normal or correctable vision, hearing and tactile sensation to effectively perceive and respond to laboratory findings.
  • Locomotive and Gross Motor Skills: Requires the ability to move freely in clinical settings, operate equipment and lift objects of at least 20 pounds. 
  • Fine Motor Skills: Demands sufficient coordination and dexterity for delicate and controlled manipulation of instruments and specimens. 
  • Intellectual Functions: Involves the capacity for measurement, calculation, analysis and critical evaluation of information and performance. 
  • Communication Skills: Includes the ability to read and understand written information, document observations accurately and communicate effectively with patients and colleagues. 
  • Professional Behaviors and Attitudes: Students must demonstrate honesty, compassion, responsibility, accountability and the ability to accept and incorporate constructive criticism. 

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• Accreditation
  • NAACLS Accreditation: The program will be accredited by NAACLS, ensuring it meets the highest standards of academic and practical training. 
  • ASCP Certification Exam: Graduates will be eligible to take the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) exam, significantly boosting their professional credentials and career opportunities.  
  • Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel: After receiving their ASCP certification, graduates that desire to be licensed as a Clinical Microbiologist must apply to the Florida Department of Health Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel. Other States may have different licensure requirements.
  • Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC): The University of Florida is accredited by the SACSCOC to award associate, baccalaureate, master's, education specialist and doctoral degrees. The University of Florida also may offer credentials such as certificates and diplomas at approved degree levels.

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• Admissions Requirements

  The following are required for all Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist pathways, including those who only intend to earn a graduate certificate. 

  • Bachelor's degree from an accredited institution
  • 3.0 overall GPA and 3.0 upper-division GPA
    
    • If your GPA is below this requirement but is at least 2.7, we recommend contacting us.
  • Curriculum vitae (CV) including all post-high school education and employment per Florida statute
  • Required undergraduate courses for applicants:
    
    • General Biology (2 semesters)
    • General Chemistry (2 semesters)
    • Biochemistry 
    • Microbiology 
    • Microbiology foundational laboratory 
      
      • Note: If you have not earned at least a grade of C in MCB 3020L, MCB 3023L or an equivalent course, please contact us.

  Note: A background check will be required at student’s cost. This must be completed before internship, but is not due at the time of application. Students will be sent more information after enrolling in courses.

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• Tuition & Fees: Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist Program

  The Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist program's cost varies due to several factors: 

  • Students enrolled in the M.S. + Certificate will be charged the Online tuition for most courses, except for MCB5942L and MCB5945L. MCB5942L and MCB5945L are charged at the Residential (Out-of-State Resident) or the Residential (FL resident) rates, depending on the student's residency status.
    
    • Students who select the M.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science with a concentration in Medical Microbiology and Biochemistry can complete the M.S. and certificate with 34 total credits.
    • ​Students who select the M.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science with a concentration in Microbiome in Health and Disease can complete the M.S. and certificate with 36 total credits (Microbiome/Host Interactions Track only).
  • Students enrolled in the CLM graduate certificate only will be charged at the Residential (Out-of-State Resident) or Residential (FL resident), depending on the student's residency status.
  • Laboratory course fees are charged to cover the cost of consumable supplies and reagents used in the Clinical Microbiology Lab, as well as to service microscopes and other equipment used in course instruction.
  • Textbooks are required for most CLM courses and contribute substantially to the cost of education. 

  Estimated Costs

  Florida Residents 

  M.S. + Certificate (34 credits) $17,844.92 plus fees
  M.S. + Certificate (36 credits) $18,914.92 plus fees
  Certificate Only (18 credits) $8,077.14 plus fees 

  Out-of-State Residents 

  M.S. + Certificate (34 credits) $20,605.76 plus fees*
  M.S. + Certificate (36 credits) $21,675.76 plus fees*
  Certificate Only (18 credits) $20,500.92 plus fees*

  *The Non-Resident Fee has been included in these calculations, but other fees still apply. 

  Graduate Programs Tuition & Fees per Credit Hour

  	Residential (Florida Resident)	Residential (Out-of-State Resident)	Online
  Tuition - Graduate Rate	$448.73	$448.73	$535.00
  Non-Resident Fee	-	$690.21	-
  Non-Resident Student Financial Aid	-	$34.51	-
  Capital Improvement Fund	$6.76	$6.76	$6.76
  Student Financial Aid	$22.43	$22.43	$22.43
  Technology Fee	$6.56	$6.56	$6.56
  Activity and Service Fee	$19.06	$19.06	-
  Athletic Fee	$1.90	$1.90	-
  Health Fee	$15.81	$15.81	-
  Transportation Access	$9.44	$9.44	-
  Total Tuition and Fees per Credit Hour	$530.69	$1,255.41	$570.75

Apply to the CLM Program

Join our next cohort and gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a clinical laboratory microbiologist. Applications for Summer 2026 are due by April 1, 2026 and applications for Fall 2026 are due July 1, 2026. 

The application processes varies by pathway. Please choose the pathway you are interested in to see how to apply. 

• Application Instructions: M.S. + Certificate (Current Students)
  • Students who are currently enrolled in our department’s online Master of Science program may apply to add a concurrent certificate using the University of Florida Certificate Application (Currently Enrolled). 
  • For Current Degree Program Information: 
    • Under Degree Level choose "Graduate" 
    • Under Current Graduate College select "Agricultural and Life Sciences"
  • For Certificate Program: 
    • Under Certificate Level select "Graduate"
    • Under College select "Agricultural and Life Sciences (UNAGL)"
    • Under Major select "Agricltrl & Life Sci Grad Cert (AGL_GCT)
    • Under Concentration select "Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist (AGL_GCT38) 

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• Application Instructions: M.S. + Certificate (New Students)

  Students who wish to apply to the M.S. + Certificate pathway must complete all three of the following forms:

  • Fill out the Mandatory Department Application form (Step 1) 
  • Complete the University of Florida Graduate Application 
  • Continue to the University of Florida Certificate Application 
    
    • On the Certificate Program page, select “College of Agricultural and Life Sciences” and “Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist”

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• Application Instructions: Graduate Certificate Only
  • Fill out the Mandatory Department Application form (Step 1) 
  • Continue to the University of Florida Certificate Application 
    
    • On the “Certificate Program” page, select “College of Agricultural and Life Sciences” then choose “Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist” 

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Faculty

*The Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist graduate certificate includes two required in-person components: a 5-day on-site lab bootcamp and a two-week clinical internship. Internship placements are arranged near the student's place of residence whenever possible. Completion in Gainesville is not required. Contact the advising team for details.