Admission Requirements

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements:

  • Hold a valid Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) Trainee License issued by the California Department of Public Health, Laboratory Field Services (LFS). Those with license applications still pending are not eligible to apply.
  • A bachelor’s degree or an equivalent higher degree in a biological or clinical laboratory science, or field related to genetics.
  • Official transcripts must show completion of at least 23 semester units, or equivalent quarter units, of science coursework, including the following required coursework:
    • 18 semester units of biology, including:
      • Genetics (3 units, grade B or higher)
      • Molecular Biology or Cell Biology (3 units, grade B or higher)
      • Additional units can be in advanced genetics, upper division cell biology, microbiology or molecular biology
    • 10 semester units of chemistry, including:
      • upper-division course in biochemistry 
    • 12 semester units of upper-division science coursework at a United States university
    • 3 semester units of college level statistics
  • Core courses (genetics, molecular, and cell biology) must have been completed within five (5) years of the internship start date. This requirement may be waived at the Program Director’s discretion provided that the applicant can establish current knowledge of relevant material through recent work experience 
  • Overall GPA of 2.800 or higher from the institution that granted the bachelor’s or master’s degree.
    • GPA Requirement and Remediation
      • Applicants whose overall GPA falls below the 2.800 minimum may complete additional coursework to improve their academic record. Coursework used to remediate a GPA below 2.800 must meet all of the following criteria:
        • Be completed at a regionally accredited college or university.
        • Be taken at the undergraduate, graduate, or post-baccalaureate level.
        • Consist of upper-division coursework relevant to the Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) or Clinical Genetic Molecular Biologist Scientist (CGMBS) professions, such as advanced biology, genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, immunology, biochemistry, or related laboratory sciences.
        • Be completed for a letter grade.
      • Continuing education, extension,  professional development, and non-credit courses will not be accepted for GPA remediation purposes.
      • The admissions committee reserves the right to determine whether coursework is appropriate for GPA remediation and sufficiently relevant to clinical laboratory science, molecular diagnostics, or related biomedical sciences.
  • Experience with molecular techniques, either through hands-on work (at least 500 work hours) or through classes (at least 9 semester units of laboratory credits in molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology or genetics related labs) 
  • Three (3) letters of recommendation 
  • Acceptance by the SJSU CGMBS Program admissions committee and a clinical affiliate 
  • Legal right to work in the United States
  • Meet all the requirements of San José State University Admissions Department
  • Be able to pass basic health screen, drug test, background check
  • Proof of current immunity to Hep B and other infectious diseases as required by our clinical affiliates

Additional Important Information

  • Applicants MUST have a CGMBS Trainee license to apply to our program
  • Our SJSU CGMBS Training Program Admission Requirements complement the requirements of California Laboratory Field Services (LFS) for a CGMBS Trainee License

Applicants with Degrees from Foreign Institutions

Applicants who earned a degree or completed prerequisite coursework outside the United States must obtain a course-by-course transcript evaluation from one of the following approved agencies: