Ferris State University’s (FSU) College of Health Professionals announces that its Molecular Diagnostics program, located at the university’s Grand Rapids campus, has received national accreditation through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) as a Diagnostic Molecular Scientist training program.
The program is one of only two accredited molecular diagnostics programs in Michigan, and one of only nine programs in the United States.
NAACLS accreditation is voluntary and requires the program to meet or exceed standards for the faculty, curriculum, and institution involved in training laboratory professionals for this cutting-edge field of clinical medicine.
“This accreditation will have a positive impact on our students, both by allowing them to qualify for certification once they graduate, and also by holding us accountable to NAACLS’ high standards for curriculum, transparency, and continuous improvement of the program.” said Dr. Jacqueline Peacock, Molecular Diagnostics program director. “Our graduates are able to fill clinical positions in the workforce immediately after graduation.”
As graduates of a NAACLS accredited program, FSU molecular diagnostics graduates are now able to sit for the certification exam as a Molecular Biology Technologist with the American Society for Clinical Pathology, which recognizes NAACLS accredited programs. Without this accreditation, graduates are required to have a full year of work experience before they could sit for the exam.
“Our Molecular Diagnostics program at Ferris State University currently has 12 clinical affiliations at well-respected clinical, research, and business facilities from which our senior students may choose to intern.” said David Petillo, Ph.D., MT(ASCP)CMMB, clinical coordinator\assistant professor, College of Health Professions, Molecular Diagnostics Program. “These internship opportunities allow our students a substantial advantage in pursuing both immediate employment and graduate opportunities.”
For more information about the program, visit ferris.edu.
