2024-2025 Undergraduate Catalog

Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 86-89 hours: B.S.—No Minor Required

CIP: 511005

This pre-licensure degree is offered in conjuction with approved hospitals and medical centers.

The curriculum leading to the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree emphasizes biology and chemistry. Minimum academic prerequisites are established by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and are taken on the Northwest campus during the first three years along with other courses required by the University. The fourth year (senior year) is a structured educational program in an affiliated clinical laboratory. The clinical program is accredited through NAACLS. Upon satisfactory completion of the clinical program, a minimum of 30 hours of credit are granted and the student is awarded a B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree. Acceptance into an affiliated program is competitive and will be determined by the quality of academic work completed by the student during the first three years of study. Admission to the clinical program is decided entirely by the hospitals. Acceptance into the University program does not guarantee acceptance of the student by an affiliated clinical program.  A minimum total of 120 academic hours are required for this degree.

Students who already have a bachelor’s degree and who wish to enter the field may do so by applying directly to the hospital that has an approved program. Applicants who have completed minimum requirements seven or more years before application must update microbiology and biochemistry. If a B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree is desired, then University requirements for the degree must also be filled.

Application deadlines vary between affiliated clinical programs. Programs should be contacted during the summer following the sophomore year. As an example, application deadlines can vary from July 1 to October 15. Applications are processed through the program director/education coordinator of the clinical program.

Selection is done by each clinical program. Criteria include state of health, academic performance, and personal characteristics. Usually, a 2.5 minimum grade point average is required.

Enrollment is limited by the class size of each clinical program. Costs vary with each clinical program. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take a national certification examination. Passing the examination is not a condition for receiving the B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree. Financial assistance varies with each clinical program. The student should contact each program and the Northwest Office of Scholarships and Financial Assistance.

Degree Requirements

The Northwest Core (44-47 hours)

Institutional Requirements (4 hours)

Required Courses (56-59 hours)

BIOL 04106Principles of Biology *

3

BIOL 04107Principles of Biology Laboratory *

1

BIOL 04114General Zoology

3

BIOL 04115General Zoology Laboratory

1

BIOL 04140General Microbiology

4

 

BIOL 04310Cell Biology

4

OR

BIOL 04440Molecular Biology

4

OR

MATH 17114General Statistics *

3

 

BIOL 04350Genetics

4

BIOL 04438Human Physiology

4

BIOL 04444Immunology

5

CHEM 24114General Chemistry I *

3

CHEM 24115General Chemistry I Laboratory *

1

CHEM 24116General Chemistry II

4

CHEM 24117General Chemistry II Laboratory

1

CHEM 24322Analytical Chemistry

3

CHEM 24323Analytical Chemistry Laboratory

1

CHEM 24342Organic Chemistry I

3

CHEM 24343Organic Chemistry I Laboratory

1

CHEM 24362Elementary Biochemistry

3

CHEM 24363Elementary Biochemistry Laboratory

1

PHYS 25112General Physics II

3

PHYS 25113General Physics II Laboratory

1

 

MATH 17116Mathematical Modeling *

3

OR

MATH 17117Precalculus *

5

OR

MATH 17118Precalculus Algebra *

3

OR

MATH 17120Calculus I

4

BIOL 04106, BIOL 04107, CHEM 24114, CHEM 24115, MATH 17114, MATH 17116, MATH 17117, MATH 17118, and MATH 17120: These courses fulfill Northwest Core requirements as well as requirements of the major, but the number of credit hours may be counted only once toward the total number of credit hours required for graduation.

Clinical Laboratory Sciences (30 hours)

In conjunction with approved hospitals and medical centers.

Free electives as needed to reach minimum 120 graduation hours

Hospitals and officials in association with the Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree:

Des Moines, IA

Mercy College of Health Sciences Clinical Medical Science Program

Kyla Dippold, MS, MLS (ASCP)CM, Program Chair and Assistant Professor

Kansas City, MO

St. Luke’s Hospital of Kansas City—Medical Laboratory Science Program

Jane Rachel, MA, MT (ASCP), Program Director

North Kansas City, MO

North Kansas City Hospital—School of Medical Laboratory Science

Marisa K. James, MA, MT (ASCP), Program Director

Omaha, NE

Nebraska Methodist Hospital—Medical Laboratory Science Program

Julie Richards, MPA, MT (ASCP) BB, Program Director