The Bachelor of Science program in Clinical Laboratory Science prepares students with the knowledge, practical skills, and ethical principles necessary for careers in biomedical and clinical laboratories. The program combines a liberal arts background with detailed inquiry into human physiology and pathology. The program incorporates rotations at partner clinical laboratories where students get to directly experience how Clinical Laboratory Scientists operate as vital parts of the healthcare team.
Program Requirements
Students taking clinical rotation courses must typically meet the following criteria:
- have a minimum overall GPA of 2.7
- have a minimum GPA of 2.7 in math and science coursework
- have earned a C- or better in CLS/301/L, CLS 302/L, CLS 305/L, and CLS 306/L
Additional requirements can be found in the Student Handbook (provided to students by Program Director).
Licensure and Certification
Program graduates will be eligible to sit for the ASCP exam (American Society of Clinical Pathology). Successful completion of board examinations is not required for degree completion. The program is licensure qualifying with New York State.
Accreditation
The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Student Learning Outcomes
Students completing the CLS program at Nazareth University will be able to demonstrate:
- Entry level competencies, communication skills, problem-solving skills, technical expertise and ethical principles that enable them to become exemplary Clinical Laboratory Scientists.
- Specific content knowledge in mathematics, biology, chemistry and clinical science coursework to be successful in passing licensure exams as administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology and be licensed to practice in New York.
- Technical training in microbiology, clinical chemistry, immunology and serology, hematology, immunohematology, chemical and biological analyses, microscopy, handling of biological samples and use of computer-controlled instrumentation to be effective technologists in a variety of settings.
- Awareness of the health care system in the United States, ethical and professional standards of practice, proper safety procedures, and pre- and post-analytical elements of laboratory testing.
- Knowledge and experiences that will prepare them to be sound evaluators of data, to be able to trouble-shoot errant situations and to develop intuitive and independent judgments in their handling of a broad range of clinical laboratory issues.