Clinical Laboratory Sciences

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Purpose and Focus

The baccalaureate degree and minor/certificate programs in Clinical Laboratory Science prepare students to be health care professionals with cutting-edge skills in medical laboratory theory and operations. Clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists develop and apply current techniques to improve health screening and diagnosis of diseases as well as play a critical role in managing patient therapy. These health care professionals integrate knowledge from the basic sciences of biology and chemistry with the study of laboratory medicine and applied technologies. The program prepares graduates for their professional role via theoretical instruction and practical laboratory application in the major disciplines of hematology, immunology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, and clinical microbiology. The degree program in Clinical Laboratory Sciences provides optimal flexibility toward student career options.

The baccalaureate degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences provides the student with a foundation in pathophysiology and medical diagnostic theory accompanied by direct practical laboratory skill training and hospital practicum experience – admission is limited. This is an excellent major for students pursuing postgraduate professional school education (medical, dental, pharmacy, veterinary). Minor and/or certificates are also offered for the individual disciplines (i.e., hematology, clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology) as students in other majors may wish to gain expertise in a selected topic area. Graduates of the program are prepared to work with health care teams in acute care settings; commercial and research laboratories; biomedical industry; bioterrorism and forensics laboratories; and federal, state, and local public health arenas.

Degree Objectives/Learning Outcomes

The Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS) program has been designed to provide graduates with:

1. Expertise in current knowledge and skills necessary to accurately perform, interpret, and maintain quality assurance of complex laboratory procedures.
2. Entry-level competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes) appropriate to the scope of a baccalaureate-prepared clinical laboratory scientist and the professional role of the clinical laboratory scientist as well as a commitment to continuing professional growth.
3. Critical skills to function collaboratively with health care professionals in the interpretation of laboratory results.
4. Critical skills to assist patients in understanding preparation and specimen-collection requirements and interpretation of clinical laboratory tests.
5. An educational foundation for the advancement of applied medical technology in the hospital or research environment
6. Experience in basic and applied research enabling advancements in graduate study or biomedical technologies.

CLS Degree Accreditation

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
(NAACLS) http://naacls.org
8410 W. Bryn Mawr Ave,, Suite 670
Chicago, IL 60631

Undergraduate Major

Clinical Laboratory Sciences — Bachelor of Science

Admission to CLS Major/Minor/Certificate

Cumulative and Science Prerequisite Course GPA 2.50

CLS Major/Minor/Certificate Admission Policies

Admission is limited based on clinical training sites available. Students are initially admitted into the pre-professional clinical laboratory sciences program and must first complete the required university core and sciences foundation course work. Admission to the upper-division CLS program is not guaranteed by admission into the pre-professional major.

Eligibility requirements for all upper-division professional CLS major and undergraduate minor or certificate programs are:

1. Completion of all university core requirements.
2. Completion of all science courses, with the exception of CHEM 474.
3. Completion of all courses with a minimum grade of C (2.00) in each course.
4. An overall science GPA and cumulative GPA of 2.50.

Students who have completed the above requirements must submit a completed CLS application form, along with appropriate transcripts, for review to the CLS program office. Application forms are available through the CLS program office, Division of Health Sciences Advising Center, or on the CLS program web site. The deadline for applications is May 1 for fall semester admission and December 1 for spring admission. Students will be notified by July 1 of their acceptance into the CLS program for fall admission or January 1 for spring admission.

CLS Major/Minor/Certificate Transfer Policies

Students must meet a minimum GPA of 2.50 to transfer into the CLS major. Course work is judged by the curriculum content and credit equivalency.

Transfer students from a community college must complete a minimum of 62 credits from a four-year institution for graduation. Graduates from an NAACLS-accredited two-year Clinical Laboratory Technician (CLT)/Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program may transfer credits toward the CLS major, provided the following criteria have been met:

1. An earned associate degree within the last five years.
2. A passing score on the national certification examination given by either the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) or the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel (NCA).

Students who meet these criteria may obtain partial credit for junior-level didactic and laboratory course work, provided they have earned a minimum grade of C (2.00) in the complimentary associate degree course.

Departmental Policies

Provisional Students Status

Students who fail to meet the requirements for admission to the CLS major or who lack no more than nine prerequisite credits (to include CHEM 474) and no more than two courses from humanities, social sciences, or fine arts may be admitted as “provisional” students for one semester. As a “provisional” student, no more than 10 credits of CLS didactic course work may be taken during the semester. Clinical practicum course work may not be taken during “provisional” student status. During “provisional” student status, the student must achieve and maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.50 for admission into the CLS major.

CLS Major/Minor Academic Progression

To maintain academic good standing within the CLS major/minor/certificate, students must maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.30 and have no grades less than a C in any required course. See the CLS Student Manual for additional information on progression, probation and suspension.

CLS Major/Minor Graduation Requirements

Graduates must successfully complete 124 credit hours, of which the student is required to complete 55 credits in upper-division CLS course work. Transfer students must complete a minimum of 62 credits from a four-year institution for graduation.

Advisement

Clinical Laboratory Sciences Major/Minor

Newly admitted pre-professional clinical laboratory sciences students are assigned to the Division of Health Sciences Advising Center for advisement and counseling. Students should meet each semester with their academic advisor prior to registration for the next term to schedule prerequisite classes. Failure to seek advisement may result in a delay of the anticipated date of graduation.

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