Curriculum: BSHS in Clinical Embryology and Assisted Reproductive Technology program

Curriculum Details

The CEART program requires 60 credits, minimally, of GW coursework. Coursework taken elsewhere fulfills general education and elective credits. 120 credits, minimally, are required to graduate.

The CEART program provides a blend of online lecture and on-campus laboratory courses. The lab courses are held at our Ashburn, VA campus and may be completed in one semester. The CEART program explores the latest in clinical embryology. Over the duration of the program, students will develop a foundational understanding of health sciences and further explore the interconnected sciences of endocrinology, cryobiology, and andrology. Program completion time is about 2 years, summers included.

Click here to open the program outline

 

  Fall Start Term Spring Start Term Summer Start Term
Semester 1

 

MLS 3000: Lab Math (3 cr)
MLS 3001W: Prof Ethics (3 cr)
MLS 4141: Immuno/Sero (3 cr)

 

MLS 3000: Lab Math (3 cr)
MLS 3001W: Prof Ethics (3 cr)
MLS 4141: Immuno/Sero (3 cr)

 

MLS 3000: Lab Math (3 cr)
MLS 3001W: Prof Ethics (3 cr)
MLS 4141: Immuno/Sero (3 cr)

Semester 2

 

MLS 2007W: Microbes (3 cr)
MLS 4158: Lab Mgmt (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)

 

Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective (2 cr)

 

CERT 3004: Endocrinology (3 cr)
CERT 3005: Current Topics (3 cr)
MLS 4171: Hum Genetics (3 cr)

Semester 3

 

Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective (2 cr)

 

CERT 3004: Endocrinology (3 cr)
CERT 3005: Current Topics (3 cr)
MLS 4171: Hum Genetics (3 cr)

 

MLS 2007W: Microbes (3 cr)
MLS 4158: Lab Mgmt (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)

Semester 4

 

CERT 3004: Endocrinology (3 cr)
CERT 3005: Current Topics (3 cr)
MLS 4171: Hum Genetics (3 cr)

 

MLS 2007W: Microbes (3 cr)
MLS 4158: Lab Mgmt (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)

 

Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective (2 cr)

Semester 5 Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Elective (3 cr)
Semester 6
(Online courses and in-person labs)

 

CERT 4010: Embryology (3 cr)
CERT 4011: Embryo Lab (1 cr)
CERT 4012: Andrology (3 cr)
CERT 4013: Andro Lab (1 cr)
CERT 4014: Cryobiology (3 cr)
CERT 4015: Cryo Lab (1 cr)
MLS 4151: Molecular Diag (3 cr)
MLS 4251: Mol Diag Lab (1 cr)

 

CERT 4010: Embryology (3 cr)
CERT 4011: Embryo Lab (1 cr)
CERT 4012: Andrology (3 cr)
CERT 4013: Andro Lab (1 cr)
CERT 4014: Cryobiology (3 cr)
CERT 4015: Cryo Lab (1 cr)
MLS 4151: Molecular Diag (3 cr)
MLS 4251: Mol Diag Lab (1 cr)

 

CERT 4010: Embryology (3 cr)
CERT 4011: Embryo Lab (1 cr)
CERT 4012: Andrology (3 cr)
CERT 4013: Andro Lab (1 cr)
CERT 4014: Cryobiology (3 cr)
CERT 4015: Cryo Lab (1 cr)
MLS 4151: Molecular Diag (3 cr)
MLS 4251: Mol Diag Lab (1 cr)

Note1: These are examples of course sequencing. Summer IS included in our program. Students will work closely with their academic advisor regarding any edits that need to be made to the plan based on successful course completion or offerings.

Note 2: Students bringing in less than 60 credits will need to take additional coursework to meet the 120-credit minimum to graduate.

To view course descriptions, please visit the GW Bulletin.

Download a PDF copy of the Sample program outline

This is an example. Individual plans may be adjusted based on conversation with the student's academic advisor.

Embedded in the program are numerous opportunities for elective credits. For those who want a wide variety of options, elective credits can be chosen from our breadth of medical lab and health science courses. For students who want to specialize and expand career opportunities with additional certification, they may choose a concentration in molecular biology or microbiology. Students who choose a concentration will complete a clinical rotation and be eligible to sit for the ASCP Technologist exam in that area.

Those who pursue the microbiology concentration will study things such as parasites (i.e., malaria), viruses (i.e., SARS-COV2), bacteria (i.e., influenza), fungi (i.e, Stachybotrys), and the associated testing required to diagnose human infectious disease. The microbiology concentration will allow you to work as a clinical microbiologist in a diagnostic, research, or public health laboratory. 

Those who pursue the molecular biology concentration will study things such as human genetics, molecular biology, biotechnology, and the associated testing using a patient's DNA or RNA to diagnose cancer (i.e., breast and prostate cancer), inherited traits/ diseases (i.e., color blindness and sickle cell), and infectious diseases (i.e., COVID-19). The molecular biology concentration will allow you to work as a molecular biologist in a diagnostic, research, or public health laboratory. 

Click here to open the concentration requirements

Options For Program Concentrations

Microbiology Concentration: 15 credits

  • MLS 2005: Plagues, Pandemics and Epidemics
  • MLS 4116: Bacteriology I
  • MLS 4117: Bacteriology II
  • MLS 4119: Parasitology, Mycology and Virology
  • MLS 4216: Bacteriology Lab
  • MLS 4219: Parasitology, Mycology and Virology Lab
  • MLS 4164: Microbiology practicum

Molecular Biology Concentration: 20 credits

  • MLS 4170: Introduction to Molecular Biology
  • MLS 4171: Molecular Diagnostics Capstone
  • MLS 4217: Molecular Techniques
  • MLS 4242: Applications of Molecular Testing
  • MLS 4252: Applications of Molecular Testing Laboratory
  • MLS 4266: Molecular Diagnostics Practicum

Students may need additional general electives to meet the credit requirement. Additionally, those who opt not to have a concentration will take their electives from a breadth of courses available in the BLS suite.

Updated 3.2023

Download a PDF copy of the Program Concentration Options