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Practical Training for Lab Careers

AU's Graduate Certificate in Clinical Biochemistry will prepare you for a variety of careers in industry, government, and for-profit organizations in the health, medical, chemical analysis, and materials fields. With an emphasis on practical skills and hands-on training, this unique certificate is a stand-alone credential for recent graduates entering the field as well as for working scientists and technicians who want to upgrade their skills and advance their careers.

Created in consultation with the area's top biochemistry employers, this program is designed to fulfill the needs of professional clinical laboratories. As you develop your scientific knowledge and laboratory expertise, you will also acquire abilities that are vital to a successful scientific career: planning, teamwork, analysis, and communication skills in a laboratory environment. By learning best practices in a clinical setting and experiencing the research process, you will graduate fully prepared for your career in the laboratory.

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Hands-on Experience, Relevant Coursework

Our specially designed coursework is sharply focused on the practical and analytical aspects of clinical research and measurement. You will receive rigorous training in clinical laboratory practice, gaining valuable hands-on experience in sample handling and instrumentation. Most courses in this program are also in the MS in Chemistry's biochemistry track, so the majority of credits can be applied toward that degree.

A three-course core will provide a solid foundation in medical biochemistry, trace analysis, and laboratory practice in a clinical setting. With two elective courses, you can pursue further biochemical training in topics ranging from spectroscopy to chemical warfare agents, broaden your course of study with coursework in biology or health promotion management, or get a head start on your career with an internship at one of the area's many clinical laboratories. Full-time students can complete the 15-credit program in two semesters, part-time students in two years.

See complete Admissions & Course Requirements below.

Expert Mentors Dedicated to Your Success

Our professors are respected, cutting-edge scientists with connections to a number of research facilities in the DC area. These biochemistry experts have extensive experience in clinical settings and are recognized for their innovative research and extensive publications in the field. With AU's small class sizes and excellent student-to-faculty ratio, you will receive individual mentorship and hands-on training to instill laboratory best practices and ensure your success.

See all Chemistry faculty.

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Opportunities in the DC Research Hub

Consistently ranked as one of the best cities for job-seekers, Washington, DC, is a hub of scientific research, offering a wealth of intellectual and professional opportunities. The capital region is home to numerous government laboratories, such as those run by the National Institutes of Health, the Food and Drug Administration, and the Department of Defense. Major local employers also include pharmaceutical companies, such as Macrogenics, AstraZeneca, and GlaxoSmithKline, as well as nonprofits like the United States Pharmacopeia.

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Outstanding Careers in a Growing Field

Biochemistry plays a vital role in medicine, health services, the pharmaceutical industry, the food industry, and biodefense. These growing, recession-proof fields will continue to expand. Employment of biochemists is projected to grow eight percent over the next ten years, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The BLS also reports Maryland as the state with the third highest number of jobs for biochemists in the country, most of them in the DC metropolitan area, which is home to numerous biotechnology, pharmaceutical, and clinical institutions that are constantly looking for qualified workers to serve in their laboratories.

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