RESOURCES & SUPPORT

Admissions and Tuition

The CLM is designed for students with a strong foundation in microbiology and the biological sciences who want specialized preparation for clinical laboratory practice. Tuition and application processes vary by residency and pathway.

• 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 in-state (online) tuition for most courses, except for MCB5942L and MCB5945L which are charged at the appropriate residential rates (out-of-state resident or in-state for FL residents) 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) $18,190 plus fees
  M.S. + Certificate (36 credits) $19,260 plus fees
  Certificate Only (18 credits) $9,630 plus fees 

  Out-of-State Residents 

  M.S. + Certificate (34 credits) $20,881.84 plus fees*
  M.S. + Certificate (36 credits) $21,951.84 plus fees*
  Certificate Only (18 credits) $21,743.28 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	-	$759.23	-
  Non-Resident Student Financial Aid	-	$37.96	-
  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	$1,327.88	$570.75

• 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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Application Instructions

• 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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• 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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Accreditation and Requirements

• Accreditation
  • NAACLS Accreditation: The program is the first of its kind to be accredited by NAACLS, and 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.
• 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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• 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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FAQ

• What is a Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist certificate?

  The Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist (CLM) graduate certificate at the University of Florida is an 18-credit graduate program that combines advanced microbiology coursework with hands-on clinical laboratory training. The program prepares students to pursue professional certification as Medical Laboratory Microbiologists through the ASCP Board of Certification.

• Is UF's Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist certificate accredited?

  Yes. UF's CLM program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). It is the first Medical Laboratory Microbiologist program in the U.S. to receive NAACLS accreditation.

• Is the Clinical Laboratory Microbiologist certificate online?

  The program is hybrid, not fully online. Most coursework is completed online, but students must complete in-person clinical training, including a five-day laboratory bootcamp and a two-week clinical internship. Completion in Gainesville is not required, and internship placements are arranged near the student's residence whenever possible.

• Does the CLM certificate qualify me to take the ASCP exam and does it lead to Florida licensure?

  Yes. Students who successfully complete the certificate are eligible to sit for the Technologist in Microbiology examination administered by the ASCP Board of Certification, subject to applicable certification requirements. 

  ASCP certification and Florida licensure are separate requirements. Graduates seeking to work as licensed Clinical Microbiologists in Florida must apply to the Florida Department of Health Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel after receiving ASCP certification. Other states may have different requirements.

• Can I combine the CLM certificate with UF's M.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science?

  Yes — and for many students, it's an especially strong value. The CLM can be combined with UF's online M.S. in Microbiology and Cell Science, allowing you to earn a specialized clinical microbiology certificate and a master's degree through a combined program.

  Because all CLM courses apply toward the M.S., you can earn both credentials with 34 or 36 total credits, depending on your master's concentration (some students may require introductory coursework which can add 4-6 credit hours). That means you can build on the graduate coursework you're already completing for the CLM rather than starting a master's from scratch.

  For students considering the CLM, especially those paying out-of-state tuition, the combined M.S. + CLM program may offer significantly more value than completing the certificate alone.

• Find answers to more frequently asked questions.

  HERE

*The hybrid 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. Additionally, in-state tuition is not offered with the CLM as a standalone credential. However, pairing the CLM with the M.S. qualifies you for in-state tuition. Contact the CLM advising team for details.