How to Get a PhD in Laboratory Sciences

If you enjoy working in a medical laboratory setting and aspire to become an expert in your profession, you might be considering a doctorate degree. Several degrees, including a PhD in Pathology, can provide you with the skills and experience you'll need to participate in breakthrough scientific research and contribute to the advancement of biomedical knowledge.

If you've begun exploring programs, you may be daunted by the number of options available to you. The guide below provides you with a step-by-step process for identifying schools that meet your criteria and discusses key specifics in applying to programs. If you're ready to begin exploring doctorate degrees in earnest, then follow these steps to prepare for your new educational endeavor.

Doctorate Degrees in Laboratory Science: Overview of the Field

Doctoral-level training in laboratory sciences has existed for more than a century. Through clinical laboratory services, pathologists performed diagnostic tests of fluids and other physical substances to identify the nature of diseases. As health care became increasingly complex and automated, laboratory medicine became a field unto itself, with technologists and other specialists performing testing and analysis.

Now, many medical experts and scientists are calling for increased doctoral-level training specifically in the field of laboratory medicine, to complement the work of pathologists. These experts argue that professionals trained at a doctoral level would increase standards in the lab--and salaries.

The study of laboratory medicine at a doctoral level is, therefore, evolving. At present, there are several degree paths relating to pathology and laboratory medicine.

1. PhD in Pathology. This degree is most widely available to students wishing to develop the research and medical skills necessary to become biomedical experts in a laboratory setting.

2. PhD in Laboratory Medicine. This degree title, while it exists, is less common in the U.S., and more commonly offered in Canada and abroad. In the U.S., most PhD degrees are in pathology, and are understood to encompass laboratory medicine. Given the demand for doctorates in this field, opportunities for obtaining a PhD in laboratory medicine are likely to grow.

3. Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science. For two decades, the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science has advocated a terminal degree for medical laboratory professionals in the form of a Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science. While the degree has been slow to be formalized, several schools intend to start offering the degree in 2010, and the field is likely to grow quickly.

4. Combined MD/PhD degree. MD/PhD programs provide training to physician-scientists who specialize in both medicine and research. Physician-scientists are able to take the knowledge developed through biomedical sciences and bring these advances to the diagnostic and therapeutic care of patients. For professionals with this degree, laboratory medicine offers an excellent career choice.

Madical Laboratory Career Options

A PhD in pathology, a PhD in laboratory medicine, and a combined MD/PhD produce scholars with the credentials to teach in a university or college setting, or to work in a medical laboratory. The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science is a professional degree specifically designed to train professionals to work in a laboratory. Laboratory jobs are often in abundance; some of the largest medical laboratories in the country employ more than 3,000 people.

For the Working Professional: An Online Doctor in Health Science (DHSc)

As doctoral-level training in laboratory medicine and clinical laboratory science grows, the availability of online doctorate programs is also likely to expand. While many medical and science degrees are not yet offered online, you may find that an online Doctor in Health Science (DHSc) meets your needs.

An online Doctor in Health Science is designed for professionals in the health care field. Like many other online PhD programs, the degree combines distance and residential education. Typically placing a high value on professional work experience, programs tend to offer students more flexibility in terms of tailoring programs to meet their own career goals and research interests.

There are many advantages to pursuing online PhD programs:

• Many online PhD programs are tailored to the needs of working professionals, enabling you to pursue studies part-time while you keep a foot in the workforce. Such programs are also more likely to support research projects carried out in a work environment.

• Many online PhD programs offer a flexible format, enabling you to study from the comfort of home. Some programs require short-term residencies, while others are offered fully online.

• Because the student base of many online PhD programs comprises mid-career professionals, there are ample opportunities for networking and learning from real-world experience.

If you decide an online doctorate program is right for you, an online DHSc could prepare you for a management-level position in a medical laboratory. As you look into online doctorate programs, be sure to inquire whether the program can be tailored to a laboratory-based career.

Finding the Right Doctorate Degree Program: The Research & Application Process

Now that you have an understanding of the degree options available to you, it's time to identify your own needs and interests.

Step 1: Identify Core Criteria for a PhD in Laboratory Science

Make a list of your baseline requirements for a campus-based or online doctorate program, being sure to consider the following:

• Accreditation. Accreditation is essential for any doctorate degree program. Accreditation means a school has established standards that meet criteria set by a third-party authorizing agency. It is required for obtaining federal financial aid, and helps ensure that your degree will be taken seriously when you're ready to apply for jobs.

• Online or on-campus? Consider the time commitment you're able to make to your education, and your career goals. If your objective is to work in an academic setting, a campus-based PhD in pathology or laboratory medicine program may offer the best path. If you presently work in a medical laboratory and wish to move through the ranks to a leadership position, an online Doctor in Health Science may be the way to go.

• Location. Are you willing to move in order to go to school? If not, you'll want to narrow your search to schools within a commutable geographical range or to distance learning programs.

Step 2: Survey the Field

Next, it's time to explore your options. There are many sources for information about on-campus and online PhD programs. Use the following list as a starting point.

• Accredited programs. The Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education is responsible for the accreditation of post-MD medical training programs within the U.S., including pathology. Its Web site offers a searchable database of programs it has accredited. If clinical laboratory science is a better fit for you, check the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences to keep track of new doctoral programs as they become available.

• Online directory sites. WorldWideLearn.com offers a wide range of information about graduate schools and programs. You can search online degrees by level, online degrees by subject, online degrees by school, or search for campus-based programs, organized by location, level, subject, and school.

• Rankings. U.S. News & World Report offers rankings of graduate schools and includes categories within the sciences, health, and medical schools.

Use the results of your search to keep a running list of programs that meet your basic criteria.

Step 3: Narrow Your Options for a PhD in Laboratory Science

The most time-consuming--but important--part of the research process entails exploring programs in depth and getting down to the details. Dedicate some time to this during evenings or weekends, and make sure you have plenty of paper for your printer (or ink for your pen)!

There are several factors you'll want to consider.

1. Specializations

Many doctorate degree programs require you to specialize in a particular topic area within your general field of study, so choosing the type of degree is only the first step. Because a significant portion of your education will be devoted to exploring this topic in depth, choosing a program that fits your research interests is imperative. Specializations within a PhD in Pathology can include the biomedical laboratory disciplines, such as

• Biochemistry
• Cell and molecular biology
• Genetics
• Immunology
• Physiology
• Neuroscience

Specializations can also focus on the specific pathology, such as

• AIDS
• Hematology/thrombopoiesis
• Metabolism and obesity
• Neurovirology
• Sexually-transmitted diseases
• Transfusion related disease

2. Quality of the Program

A good program is one that will support your research interests and that offers faculty who can mentor you throughout your graduate work, in addition to other factors. Consider some of the following criteria:

• Faculty. Examine faculty expertise, the student/faculty ratio, and whether a particular faculty member stands out as a potential advisor. Your advisor will help you meet the program's benchmarks and will guide your dissertation work.

• History. If you're exploring a nascent program, such as a doctorate in clinical laboratory science or a PhD in laboratory medicine, you'll want to make sure the program is set up for success. Consider factors such as faculty expertise, competitiveness of entry requirements, and the overall quality of the school offering the program.

• Reputation. Ask around. Which schools do laboratory professionals and employers recommend?

• Philosophy of the program. Which program will help you meet your career objectives?

• Graduation rate. A doctorate requires a significant time commitment and personal initiative. Find out how many graduate students complete the program--the numbers may be revealing.

• Placement of graduates. Are graduates working in medical laboratories or at top schools? If they're working in bookstores, that may be an indication that the program does not produce doctorates well qualified for the workforce.

3. Other Factors

Several other factors you should look at include:

• Program cost and financial aid options
• Admission requirements
• School resources, such as laboratory facilities

Where to Get Information

To gather this level of detail, explore schools' Web sites in depth. Many schools offer extensive information online. Make a note of any questions you have that aren't answered, and call the school directly to fill in the blanks.

When you've identified your top programs, schedule visits to campuses to meet with faculty and students. Most schools will be happy to advance your interest in a program. Even if you are exploring a low-residency program, such as an online Doctor in Health Science, you'll get a good feel for the school by visiting its campus.

Step 4: Get Ready to Apply to a Specific Laboratory Science Doctorate Program: PhD in Pathology or Online Doctor in Health Science?

You've identified your desired degree and top schools. Now the application process begins. Review each program's application requirements, and gather your information. Common requirements include the following:

• Transcripts. You may be able to order transcripts online, saving you time and effort.
• Prerequisite courses and degrees. If your Doctor in Health Science requires a master's level degree, you'll need to send appropriate documentation.
• Letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should come from people who know you well and can attest to your professional work or ability to perform original and creative research.
• Qualifying exams. Most doctorate degree programs require the Graduate Record Examination (GRE). International students are usually required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) exam, in addition.
• Application fees. Include application fees in your budget, as they can be costly.

Try to submit your application materials well in advance of the deadline, and follow up with a phone call to ensure the school has received your materials.

Step 5: Stay Current in the Field

You'll be ahead of the game once you enter your program if you take the time now to become familiar with your academic community and audience. Keep current in your field by:

• Subscribing to relevant publications.
• Joining professional organizations and associations, based on your area of interest.
• Attending academic conferences.

Step 6: Envision the Career Ahead of You

Whether you choose to pursue a PhD in Pathology, a doctorate in laboratory medicine, or an online Doctor of Health Science, you'll need commitment and perseverance to reach your educational goals. You'll get the most out of your graduate work if you have a clear career path in mind, and tailor your research and studies accordingly.

Whatever career path you choose, remember that you've made a good choice: Professionals trained in the health field at a doctoral level are in greater need than ever, and are essential to ensuring the health and well-being of people across the country.

Sources

• A.T. Still University, Health Sciences Doctoral Degree Now Offered Online
• Baylor University Medical Center Proceedings, A History of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at Baylor University Medical Center, by George Race, G. Weldon Tillery, and Peter Dysert
• Boston University School of Medicine, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
• Clinical Laboratory Science, The Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science: Enhanced Quality for health care, by Elizabeth Kenimer Leibach
• Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, The MD/PhD Pathway to a Career in Laboratory Medicine, by Samuel Santoro, Claudio Mosse, and Pampee Young
• Clinics in Laboratory Medicine, Education of the PhD in Laboratory Medicine, by Mitchell Scott, Wm. Michael Dunne, and Ann Gronowski
• Duke University School of Medicine, Department of Pathology Graduate Program
• University of California--San Francisco, Pathology and Laboratory Medicine