When you click on a sponsoring school or program advertised on our site, or fill out a form to request information from a sponsoring school, we may earn a commission. View our advertising disclosure for more details.
“These programs give uncertified professionals the opportunity to get trained and become competent laboratorians on their own time, which makes them great for pivoting careers.”
– Kristen Pesavento, EdD, Assistant Professor, Loyola University Chicago’s Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health
Hematology is a branch of science that involves the study of blood and related diseases. Generally offered alongside clinical laboratory science programs, hematology courses give students an overview of blood-forming organs, immune therapies, immunology, and blood group systems. Medical laboratory and healthcare professionals and scientists who want an in-depth understanding of this branch of medicine can opt for hematology courses.
Online graduate certificates in hematology can generally be completed in the span of a year. While most courses are offered online, some programs require students to attend practical laboratory sessions. Along with hematology insights, several clinical laboratory certificates also teach laboratory operations, serology, hemostasis, and molecular diagnostics.
On completion of an online certificate in hematology, students can sit for the certified technologist exam and boost their careers. They can opt for roles such as medical lab technologists, blood bank technologists, histologic technicians, and cytotechnologists.
The following guide covers six online graduate certificates in hematology and related topics such as clinical laboratory science. It also profiles three exceptional faculty members in the field.
Meet the Expert: Kristen Pesavento, EdD
Dr. Kristen Pesavento is an assistant professor of applied health sciences at Loyola University Chicago’s Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, where she serves as graduate program director for medical laboratory science and director of academic assessment.
A certified medical laboratory scientist and educator, Dr. Pesavento is dedicated to advancing laboratory medicine through teaching, mentorship, curriculum development, and workforce advocacy. Her work focuses on preparing the next generation of laboratory professionals while promoting equitable access to high-quality diagnostic testing and strengthening the role of laboratory science in improving patient care and public health.
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What would you like the public to understand about online graduate certificates in hematology?
Dr. Pesavento: There are different types of graduate certificates in hematology, and it’s important to understand the distinction. My program is a postbaccalaureate graduate certificate geared toward people who hold a bachelor’s degree in an area other than medical laboratory science and want to begin working in a clinical laboratory. It provides a flexible educational pathway for adult learners to deepen their understanding of hematology and hematologic disorders, the diagnostic process, how to perform tests, how to interpret them, and what the results mean for patient treatment.
These programs give uncertified professionals the opportunity to get trained and become competent laboratorians on their own time, which makes them great for pivoting careers. We’ve had people who were lawyers, who were doctors, and who held PhDs in other areas of science, all of whom are looking toward the laboratory as the future and the way to go.
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring online graduate certificate in hematology students?
Dr. Pesavento: Do your research and find a program offered by an accredited laboratory science program so you’re able to sit for a board certification exam as soon as you finish, especially if you’re interested in moving into the laboratory fairly quickly. Approach the program with an open mind and understand the rigor associated with working in healthcare. Have an appreciation for how our practice changes all the time based on the latest advances and technologies.
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: Who tends to enroll in a program like this?
Dr. Pesavento: We see a wide range of students. Some are right out of college, looking for a gap-year experience before pursuing other scientific or medical degrees. Others are changing careers later in life. It really opens the door to people from many different backgrounds who share an interest in clinical laboratory work.
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: Is there anything else you wish students knew before enrolling?
Dr. Pesavento: For those who don’t have a strong laboratory background or haven’t worked clinically before, look at programs that offer hands-on experiences, whether through practicums, internships, or a few hands-on laboratories. That kind of experience is really essential to becoming a well-rounded laboratorian. Keep in mind that everything you’re learning goes to serve patients one day. We treat every sample that goes through the lab as if it might be a member of our own family.
Featured Online Graduate Certificate – Hematology Programs
Loyola University Chicago offers an online clinical certificate in hematology designed for students who want specialized training in hematology and hemostasis. Offered through the Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health, the certificate is part of the university’s NAACLS-accredited master of science in medical laboratory science program and prepares graduates for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification hematology exam through Route 3 eligibility.
To apply, students must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution, including at least 30 semester hours (or 45 quarter hours) of combined biology and chemistry coursework with laboratories, as well as a three-credit mathematics course. Applicants are not required to hold a science degree as long as they meet the prerequisite coursework requirements.
The certificate program comprises 12 credits and combines online coursework with supervised clinical practice. Students complete courses in laboratory fundamentals, hematology, hematology laboratory, hemostasis, clinical practice in hematology, and clinical practice in hemostasis and body fluids. The curriculum emphasizes the latest laboratory techniques and diagnostic methods while providing hands-on experience in clinical laboratory settings.
Graduates develop the critical thinking, technical, and communication skills needed to perform advanced hematology testing and interpret clinical laboratory data. The program prepares students for careers as hematology technologists and other specialized medical laboratory professionals while providing eligibility to pursue ASCP categorical certification in hematology.
- Location: Chicago, Illinois
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC); National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
George Washington University offers an online post-baccalaureate certificate in hematology. The coursework teaches students to identify and study disease causes in the blood using the latest techniques and instruments.
To apply to the program, students must have completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university and have a GPA of at least 2.5. Additionally, they must submit official transcripts of every institute attended, an online application form, a letter of recommendation, a statement of purpose, and English language proficiency test scores (for non-U.S. students only).
The certificate program comprises 18 credits and prepares students to sit for the technologist in hematology exam, offered by national certifying agencies. Students in this online program will never be required to visit campus. Some of the courses included in the curriculum are hematology; immunology and serology; molecular diagnostics; lab management and operations; a hematology practicum; and a coagulation practicum. Practicum courses are completed at approved hospitals or diagnostic laboratories.
Overall, the program helps students develop scientific knowledge and vital skills. It assists them on the path to becoming certified technologists as well as having an impact on the healthcare system. They can take up roles such as blood bank technologists, certified medical technologists, medical lab technologists, and lab managers.
- Location: Washington, DC
- Accreditation: Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools; National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
University of Massachusetts Lowell (Related Program)
The University of Massachusetts Lowell offers a 100 percent online graduate certificate program in clinical pathology. Clinical pathology is a dynamic field that combines various disciplines in biology and chemistry, such as human anatomy and physiology, microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, histocompatibility, and cellular pathology. Students learn how to monitor, detect, and prevent diseases.
Experienced faculty members teach the program and bring extensive real-world experience to the online classroom. The program is ideal for nurses, medical laboratory professionals, and anyone working in pharmaceuticals interested in gaining in-depth knowledge of clinical pathology. Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university and a GPA of 3.0 or better.
The program comprises four online courses, with two being required and two elective courses. Sample the courses included in the curriculum: clinical pathophysiology; health informatics; healthcare information systems; and molecular pathology. Students delve into the pathophysiologic causes of diseases and learn how to conduct research. Additionally, they also develop essential workplace skills such as management, communication, and the use of information systems.
The program can open up a wide variety of opportunities for students. A few of the roles they can pursue include cytogenetic technologists, cytotechnologists, histotechnologists and histologic technicians, and medical and clinical laboratory technicians.
- Location: Lowell, Massachusetts
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: A little over a year
Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey (Related Program)
The Rutgers School of Health Professions offers an online graduate certificate in clinical laboratory science. This program can be completed entirely online. The program is enriched by a wide variety of practical opportunities providing students with the necessary knowledge in clinical laboratory science.
The program is taught by experienced and knowledgeable faculty members with a wealth of clinical lab science expertise. The program is also taught by national and international guest lecturers. This certificate is an excellent option for students who are not ready for a master’s program but want to increase their knowledge in clinical lab science.
Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree in clinical laboratory science or any other related science from a regionally accredited US institution, professional certification as a medical laboratory professional: MLS(ASCP)CM or its equivalent, official transcripts, TOEFL scores for international students, a minimum GPA of 3.0, and a current curriculum vitae.
Made up of 12 credits, the program is designed to make the students knowledgeable, providing them with advanced clinical laboratory science skills. Students pursuing this program, study courses such as advanced hematology; advanced hemostasis; molecular diagnostics; advanced clinical immunology; clinical laboratory data analysis; and infectious diseases.
At the end of the program, graduates can pursue several opportunities in various settings and take up various roles in the clinical laboratory field.
- Location: Newark, New Jersey
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 to 36 months
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center (Related Program)
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center offers an online clinical laboratory science certificate program. The program combines online classes and instructional materials with a six-day laboratory session that will be conducted on-site at the end of each of the first two semesters. The program also includes a clinical preceptorship, which must be completed in an affiliated laboratory. Providing real-world experiences, the program is taught by experienced and knowledgeable faculty members.
Admission requirements include a completed online application form, a $75 online application fee, official transcripts, a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university, and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0.
Students pursuing this program study courses such as foundations of hemostasis; advanced hematology; foundations of immunohematology; advanced microbiology; principles of molecular diagnostics; and analysis of body fluids.
Students learn to analyze body tissues and fluids and know how to use complex instrumentation and sophisticated techniques. They develop critical thinking, and problem-solving skills and learn to perform routine and complex tests that help the physician diagnose and treat the patient. At the end of the program, graduates can pursue several opportunities in the clinical lab science field.
- Location: Lubbock, Texas
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC); National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Expected Time to Completion: 12 months
UC Berkeley’s continuing education arm, UC Berkeley Extension, offers an online course in hematology. This course is also a part of UC Berkeley’s other programs, such as the advanced biosciences program, the clinical laboratory scientist preparatory program, and the post-baccalaureate health professions program. Students can start the course whenever they wish, expecting a minimum of 30 days of workload per semester.
To apply for the course, students must have completed a year of college-level biology as a major subject. The course comprises three credits and must be completed within six months. The curriculum focuses on the basic principles of hematology, particularly in humans. Students can expect to gain an in-depth understanding of the origin of blood-forming cells, plasma, and blood-forming organs. Additionally, they explore various aspects of blood group systems, leukocytes, erythrocytes, platelets, and coagulation.
In order to pass the course, students must score at least 70 percent on the final exam. They receive their final grades two weeks after submitting the final exam. The course is ideal for medical laboratory professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge of hematology.
- Location: Berkeley, California
- Accreditation: Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
- Expected Time to Completion: Three months
