North Carolina Wesleyan University is celebrating a milestone in its growing academic offerings and its commitment to workforce development with the completion of its inaugural Applied Reproductive Biology Laboratory (ARTLAB) cohort.
The first cohort of 11 students has completed NC Wesleyan’s Applied Reproductive Biology certificate program, designed to prepare students for careers in the rapidly growing field of assisted reproductive technology and in vitro fertilization (IVF) laboratory science.
And the results are already translating into careers.
Of the 11 students in the inaugural cohort, seven have confirmed job offers in the field, while the remaining four are currently in various stages of the interview process. Based on the progress of those students, the program projects 100% employment placement within the next month.
For NC Wesleyan, that early success represents more than the completion of a first class. It demonstrates the potential of ARTLAB to connect specialized education directly to workforce demand while creating new career opportunities for students and contributing to economic development in a growing industry.
“This is the first class — the first of many — to complete the nation’s finest training for positions in IVF labs across the nation under the auspices of North Carolina Wesleyan,” said Dr. Joe Lane, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at NC Wesleyan University. “We look forward to working with Dr. Schenkman and her colleagues to continue growing this program and to launching new programs in related fields.”
The Applied Reproductive Biology certificate is an accelerated, specialized program that provides students with hands-on training and academic preparation aligned with the needs of assisted reproductive technology laboratories. Students are prepared to pursue opportunities within IVF laboratories and related reproductive science settings.
The program was developed under the leadership of Dr. Eva Schenkman and her colleagues, whose expertise has helped establish NC Wesleyan as an emerging destination for specialized training in reproductive biology.
The inaugural cohort’s career outcomes underscore the value of that industry-focused approach.
Building a Workforce for a Growing Industry
The demand for professionals trained in assisted reproductive technology continues to create opportunities for individuals interested in laboratory science and reproductive health. NC Wesleyan’s ARTLAB program is designed to help meet that demand by providing focused training for students seeking a pathway into this specialized field.
For the University, the program also represents a broader commitment to creating educational opportunities that have a direct impact beyond the classroom.
Students gain specialized skills. Employers gain access to trained talent. And communities benefit when graduates are able to transition into meaningful careers.
The inaugural cohort provides an early example of that workforce-development model in action.
With seven students already holding confirmed positions and the remaining four actively interviewing, the first ARTLAB cohort is poised to achieve a 100% placement rate shortly after completing the program.
Applications Open for 2027 Cohorts
With the success of its first cohort, NC Wesleyan is preparing to welcome the next group of students interested in entering the field of applied reproductive biology.
Applications are now being accepted for two 2027 cohorts:
- Spring 2027 Cohort: January 18 – March 26, 2027
- Summer 2027 Cohort: May 24 – July 30, 2027
The University encourages individuals interested in pursuing careers in IVF laboratory science and applied reproductive biology to learn more about the program and apply for an upcoming cohort.
The first cohort may have been the beginning, but NC Wesleyan sees it as just that, the beginning.
As the University continues to expand its offerings in applied reproductive biology and related fields, ARTLAB is positioned to become an important part of NC Wesleyan’s commitment to innovative education, career preparation and workforce development.
To learn more about NC Wesleyan’s Applied Reproductive Biology program or apply for an upcoming cohort, visit ncwu.edu.
ARTLAB and NC Wesleyan University Partner to Launch New Embryology and Andrology Education Programs
In recognition of National Infertility Awareness Week (NIAW), ARTLAB and North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) are highlighting a major step forward in reproductive science education with the launch of a new academic credential designed to strengthen the future workforce of fertility laboratory professionals. The partners are proud to announce the first stage in their strategic collaboration: a post-baccalaureate certificate in Applied Reproductive Biology, launching in Summer 2026. The first cohort will start July 6 – Sept 11, 2026.
This 16-credit (10-week) certificate program is now accepting applications from candidates who have completed a B.S. in a laboratory science or who will complete such a degree in May 2026. To inquire or apply for the first cohort, contact Dr. Eva Schenkman at eva@artlabconsulting.com.
Designed to meet the growing workforce demands of assisted reproductive technology (ART) laboratories across the United States, the program combines academic rigor with applied training. ARTLAB, currently the largest IVF training center in the world, brings extensive reproductive laboratory expertise and real-world industry experience to the curriculum.
“As one of the few academically affiliated programs in embryology, this collaboration with North Carolina Wesleyan University brings together training taught by globally recognized leaders with a commitment to standardization in a historically unregulated field,” said Dr. Eva Schenkman, MS, PhD, Founder of ARTLAB. “As fertility rates decline and demand for assisted reproductive technologies increases worldwide, the need for highly skilled embryologists has become increasingly urgent. Together, ARTLAB and NC Wesleyan are setting a new standard for the field.”
“We are excited to launch our first certificate program with ARTLAB. This is one example of our commitment to deliver career-focused programs that reflect our Personal, Practical, Purpose-driven Education promise,” said Dr. Joe Lane, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs at North Carolina Wesleyan University. “We are especially excited about the opportunities this certificate will provide to our biology students seeking new professional pathways in this highly specialized and rapidly growing field. We also look forward to welcoming new students into the Wesleyan community as they come to Rocky Mount to complete this ten-week professional program.”
NCWU President Dr. Evan D. Duff added, “This partnership with ARTLAB and Dr. Eva Schenkman represents exactly where higher education needs to go—aligning academic rigor with real-world, high-demand careers that change lives. By launching one of the few academically grounded programs in embryology and andrology, North Carolina Wesleyan is not only expanding opportunity for our students but also helping to build the future workforce of reproductive medicine professionals. We are proud to lead in a space where science, purpose, and human impact intersect in such a profound way.”
Through this partnership, ARTLAB and NCWU will continue to develop both credit-bearing and professional training courses to support professionals entering and advancing within the field.
Students pursuing the post-baccalaureate certificate may be eligible for federal financial aid, student loans, and grant opportunities. Formalizing this program under the auspices of North Carolina Wesleyan University significantly expands access to advanced education in reproductive science.
Additional details regarding admissions requirements, program structure, and enrollment timelines will be available in the coming days.
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NC Wesleyan & ARTLAB Forge New Science Path!
North Carolina Wesleyan University (NCWU) is proud to announce a groundbreaking academic partnership with ARTLAB, the world’s largest IVF training center. This opens the door to one of the few undergraduate-level pathways in reproductive laboratory science in the United States.
This collaboration brings together NC Wesleyan’s student-centered academic experience and ARTLAB’s globally recognized laboratory expertise to create a new, hands-on educational opportunity in the rapidly growing field of assisted reproductive technology (ART). For students interested in science, healthcare, and life-changing innovation, this partnership represents a pathway few universities can offer.
Together, NCWU and ARTLAB are developing a series of credit-bearing academic and professional learning opportunities designed to prepare students for careers in reproductive science laboratories. While program details are still being finalized, the partnership is focused on delivering high-impact, experiential learning aligned with workforce needs and industry standards.
“We are excited to collaborate with North Carolina Wesleyan University on an initiative that expands access to formal education in reproductive science,” said Dr. Eva Schenkman, MS, PhD, Founder of ARTLAB. “By combining academic instruction with immersive laboratory exposure, we are creating a pathway that is both accessible and exceptional—one that reflects the future of this field.”
ARTLAB brings decades of applied experience training professionals in embryology and andrology, offering students exposure to real-world laboratory environments and techniques rarely available at the undergraduate level.
“This partnership reflects exactly what we strive to offer at NC Wesleyan—personal, practical, purpose-driven education,” said Dr. Joe Lane, Provost and Senior Vice President for Academic Affairs. “It creates new possibilities for students interested in science and healthcare while positioning the University at the forefront of an emerging and highly specialized field.”
Additional information regarding program structure, admissions, and enrollment timelines will be shared in the coming months.
