Welcome to the School of Health Sciences at Washington University of Science and Technology (WUST), located in Alexandria, Virginia, just minutes from Washington, D.C. We are proud to offer career-focused programs including the Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Clinical Lab Science.
Our School is dedicated to providing high-quality, hands-on education that prepares students for immediate entry and advancement in today’s fast-evolving healthcare environment. Through practical training, experienced faculty, and a strong emphasis on real-world application, we equip our students with the clinical, administrative, and technical skills necessary to support patients, providers, and healthcare organizations with professionalism and excellence.
At WUST, we are committed to developing healthcare professionals who are workforce-ready, ethically grounded, and prepared to make a meaningful impact in their communities.
Benefits & Career Demand for Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Clinical Lab Science
The healthcare sector remains one of the most stable and fastest-growing segments of the U.S. labor market — even amid broader labor market slowdowns. Healthcare and social assistance employment added a significant share of new jobs in 2025, highlighting the industry’s role as a major engine of growth and opportunity.
Across the country, demand for healthcare workers continues to outpace the average for all occupations due to an aging population, expanding outpatient and specialized care, and ongoing healthcare system needs.
Associate of Occupational Studies (AOS) in Clinical Lab Science
Career Flexibility & Entry-Level Access
- The AOS provides practical occupational training that prepares graduates for a range of healthcare support roles.
- It can serve as a strong foundation for further healthcare education or immediate workforce entry.
- Many graduates quickly move into allied health roles that do not require a four-year degree but offer stable employment and clear pathways for advancement.
Industry Strength
- Overall healthcare occupations are projected to grow significantly faster than the average for all jobs, with millions of annual openings resulting from both growth and replacement needs.
- This broad demand supports AOS graduates entering support and administrative fields, where job stability is strong.
Programs
Associate of Occupational Science (AOS) in Clinical Lab Science
Objectives :
- Explain the steps of specimen collection performed by a phlebotomy technician
- Identify specific supplies and equipment used in selected specimen collection procedures
- Explain specimen collection precautions and guidelines for pediatric and geriatric patients
- Summarize privacy, confidentiality, challenges, and exceptions in healthcare
Associate of Occupational Science (AOS) in Clinical Lab Science
The Associate of Occupational Science (AOS) in Clinical Lab Science program aims to prepare students for entry-level clinical laboratory positions in the healthcare industry by providing extensive knowledge ranging from phlebotomy to clinical laboratory practices.
The AOS in Clinical Lab Assistant degree requires successful completing the normal program length is 24
months. However, the degree can be completed in less than 24 months depending on transfer credits.
Program Objectives and Goals
Goal:To prepare students to collect blood specimens from patients for the purpose of laboratory analysis for medical testing and processing. Students will become familiar with all aspects related to blood collection and develop comprehensive skills to perform venipunctures completely and safely. Classroom and lab work includes terminology, anatomy and physiology, blood collection procedures, hands-on specimen practice, training in skills and techniques to perform puncture methods and a focus on safety standards.
Objective:
- Explain the steps in selected specimen collection procedures performed by the phlebotomy technician.
- Explain the safety procedures in the healthcare setting and specifically in performing specimen collection procedures.
- Identify specific supplies and equipment used in selected specimen collection procedures.
- Explain precautions and guidelines when collecting specimens in special populations such as pediatrics and geriatrics.
- Define quality of care and explain the impact on patient medical care when quality and safety are compromised in phlebotomy procedures.
- Describe the anatomy, physiology, pathophysiology, and medical terminology, especially related to phlebotomy and venipuncture.
- Summarize and identify the concepts of privacy and confidentiality within the clinical setting and the challenges to protecting patient privacy, as well as potential exceptions to the obligation to keep patient information confidential within the healthcare setting.
Format:Face-to-Face, Hybrid; Please note 100% online is not an option due to labs and externships.
Learn MoreAdmissions
Before enrolling, students are required to complete the following through Castle Branch by creating an account https://discover.castlebranch.com/, then select place an order, and add your package code (your program code).
All potential students are responsible for all castle Branch testing (if you have current physical lab work the Program Advisor will identify if all documents meet admission process). All potential students need to complete a background check through castle branch.
- Complete a physical examination including current tuberculosis screen results with Primary care physician, CVS, Walgreens etc.
-
Provide evidence of previous hepatitis immunization or lab results indicating an acceptable titter unless a statement is provided indicating immunization is contraindicated for the student. These are the requirement for hospital placement:
- CPR Certifications
- Consent to a criminal background check
Failure to provide these requirements will delay your admissions process. Students must plan to be available for externship hours during their final term. Students who are employed may be required to adjust their work schedule to accommodate their externship schedule. Academic credit is awarded for the structured, supervised learning experiences in the externship, but no pay is provided. Placement in the externship, selection of the site, and scheduling are at the discretion of the School of Health Science's faculty, whose decisions are final.
CPR Requirements for Health Sciences Students
Current CPR certification is required by most participating hospitals and healthcare providers. The University ensures all students comply with this direction. CPR certification can be obtained through the American Red Cross, American Heart Association (AHA), or other recognized organization. These organizations provide CPR training for a fee, with the AHA course being the more comprehensive of the two. However, both courses are designed for healthcare providers who require successful completion of a CPR course and proof of completion.
Criminal Background Check
Mandatory-Criminal background check requirements for admission are mandatory; all students will complete the Castle Branch account, and e-signature will validate if you agree to a background check. Externship sites may require a health sciences student to undergo a criminal background check and sex-offender status verification prior to admission to any externship course. Students are responsible for all fees related to these items. Please speak to the designated department representative for more information. Health sciences employers may require criminal background checks, sex-offender status verification, and/or drug testing prior to employment.
Uniforms
Students are expected to come to laboratory courses dressed in their WUST program uniforms. The WUST uniform consists of a top and pants and a white lab coat. Students receive the uniform as part of their health sciences kit in the first few weeks of the program (usually after add and drop period). All student are required to wear uniforms for core classes.
National Healthcareer Credentialing Certification Exams -Certificate program
National Healthcareer Association (NHA) all students will complete the National Certification Exam and be recognized through the National Allied Health Test Registry for the following career areas:
Medical Assistant
- CCMA - Certified Clinical Medical Assistant
- CAMA - Certified Administrative Medical Assistant
- CEKGT - Certified EKG Technician
- CPT - Certified Phlebotomy Technician
Billing and Coding
- CBCS - Certified Biling and Coding Specialist
- CEHRS - Certified Electronic Health Record Specialist
Being a member of NHA, Washington University Science and Technology School of Health Sciences is authorized to proctor the exams for the above certificate areas. These exams have been implemented into your programs; successful completion of these exams will enhance a student's professional development.
The exam is in a proctored setting at the University, it is computerized, and the results are posted immediately after the exam. All certification exam fees, and additional study materials are a part of tuition and designed into your program.
American Medical Technologist
Students will complete the National Certification Exam and be recognized through the National Allied Health Test Registry for the following career areas:
- CMLA - Medical Laboratory Assistant
- RPT - Phlebotomy Technician
Being a member of AMT, Washington University Science and Technology School of Health Sciences is authorized to proctor the exams for the above certificate areas. These exams have been implemented into your programs; successful completion of these exams will enhance a student's professional development.
The exam is in a proctored setting at the University, it is computerized, and the results are posted immediately after the exam. All certification exam fees, and additional study materials are a part of tuition, and designed into your program.
Certificate Programs Coming Soon
Medical Assistant Certification program
Our accelerated certificate programs are designed for 10 weeks each, by successfully completing and passing each course.
Program Goals and Objectives:
Goal: To enhance students' clinical knowledge in high demanding careers. The purpose of the Medical Assistant courses is to give students theoretical and hands-on experience, allowing them to demonstrate clinical skills, including patient care, laboratory procedures, venipuncture, assisting with exams, collecting specimens, administering patient medication, recording vital signs, and taking patient history. Students will be able to demonstrate administrative skills, including scheduling, medical office and records management, and procedural and diagnostic coding.
Objectives:
- Define the roles and responsibilities of a medical assistant.
- Demonstrate medical assistant principals and clinical procedures for managing office practice, quality patient care, and laboratory procedures.
- Summarize the strategies for finding printed materials, personal communications, observations, and electronic resources related to healthcare.
- Summarize and identify the concepts of privacy and confidentiality within the clinical setting and the challenges to protecting patient privacy, as well as potential exceptions to the obligation to keep patient information confidential within the healthcare setting.
Format: Face-to-Face, Hybrid; Please note 100% online is not an option due to labs and externship.
Learn MoreMedical Billing and Coding Certificate
Program Goals and Objectives:
Goal: The purpose of the Medical Billing & Coding courses is to help students gain a deeper understanding of the proper identification of medical codes used by insurance companies and to teach students how to use medical office software to process medical insurance bills. It provides extensive exposure to the administration of insurance billing and coding. The associate program explores the many specialty areas of the medical insurance industry and helps students gain the competency and experience necessary to succeed in these highly specialized fields.
Objectives:
- Locate and identify appropriate codes for diagnostic statements and medical procedures in the office or facility setting.
- Demonstrate correct use of practice management programs to perform medical office financial activities.
- Make evidence-based decisions linked to medical necessity, billing procedures, and code assignment.
- Summarize the life cycle of an insurance claim and explain the processing steps.
- Use ICD-10, CPT, and HCPCS as resources in identifying, administrating, and processing insurance billing and coding.
- Summarize and identify the concepts of privacy and confidentiality within the clinical setting and the challenges to protecting patient privacy, as well as potential exceptions to the obligation to keep patient information confidential within the healthcare setting.
Format: Face-to-Face, Hybrid; Please note 100% online needs to be decided at the time of admissions.
Learn MoreAccreditation And Certification
