ASRM Clinical Embryology Learning Laboratory (“CELL”)
ASRM, in collaboration with SRBT, is proud to provide a national codified training program solely for clinical embryologists performing highly complex procedures in human IVF laboratories across the United States. This tuition-based training will establish a precise and consistent framework for embryology competency across IVF programs nationally and, importantly, address the severe shortages of trained embryology professionals that we are currently experiencing.
This certificate course is based on and expands upon the existing online embryology certificate course offered by the ASRM and designed by SRBT in 2014. The new 2025 course will provide detailed content on basic and advanced ART laboratory techniques and critical basic science and background information.
This course will provide training in the assessment of parameters of male and female gametes and embryos, laboratory technologies, and laboratory management.
Content will be delivered both in-person and virtually. Most significantly, this course includes hands-on embryology laboratory training in a simulation laboratory using mouse and bovine gametes, followed by a supervised fellowship in a SART-member human clinical embryology lab.
Accommodation information for the in-person sessions will be provided upon approval of the application. Accommodations are not included in the cost of the program.
Course Format
- In-person didactic lectures
- Virtual didactic lectures
- Fellowship
- Hands-on embryology in a simulation laboratory
- Total Time: 10 months
Educational Objectives
This certificate course is based on and expands upon the existing online embryology certificate course offered by the ASRM and designed by SRBT in 2014. The new 2025 course will provide detailed content on basic and advanced ART laboratory techniques and critical basic science and background information. This course will provide training in the assessment of parameters of male and female gametes and embryos, laboratory technologies, and laboratory management.
Content will be delivered both in-person and virtually. Most significantly, this course includes hands-on embryology laboratory training in a simulation laboratory using mouse and bovine gametes, followed by a supervised fellowship in a SART-member human clinical embryology lab.
Core Technical Competencies at the Completion of the Course
- Identify and use sterile tissue culture techniques
- Identify and prepare IVF supplies and media for Assisted Reproductive Technologies (ART) using various methods
- Use microscopy to identify, handle, evaluate, and manipulate gametes and embryos during ART procedures.
- Demonstrate proficiency with handling and manipulation of eggs and embryos during ART procedures
- Demonstrate proficiency with the following ART procedures:evaluation and preparation of semen samples for ART
- oocyte retrieval and culture
- standard insemination of oocytes
- intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI)
- embryo culture
- embryo biopsy and sample preparation skills
- cryopreservation and thaw of gametes, embryos, and reproductive tissue
- Identify Quality control procedures and troubleshooting in the ART laboratory.
Faculty
The course faculty will be comprised of content experts at the lab supervisor and lab director level.Requirements
This embryology fellowship program will take place over 10 months and include 1) virtual and in-person didactic sessions, 2) 10 weeks of in-person hands-on training, and 3) practice time in the home lab to meet any requirements for competency check offs. Trainees will be selected from SART member clinics with a commitment to allow the trainee to participate in all areas of the program, including practice time post the in-person training time. Trainees will be required to have a bachelor’s degree and will be required to meet all competency standards set forth.Cost
The price of tuition for this program is $18,500.00 USDAccommodation information for the in-person sessions will be provided upon approval of the application. Accommodations are not included in the cost of the program.
