Advising: Pre-Clinical Laboratory Science Information

Clinical laboratory scientists are responsible for the performance of routine and specialized tests in the clinical laboratory. They are educated to correlate test results with the physiological condition of patients. Physicians utilize these results to determine the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of disease. Areas of laboratory medicine in which the clinical laboratory scientists are involved include hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, hemostasis, immuno-hematology, serology, microbiology (including parasitology, mycology, and virology), and urinalysis. In addition to hospitals, clinical laboratory scientists may be employed in veterinary schools and clinics, research, reference laboratories, physician offices, industry, and biotechnology companies. Opportunities also exist for those interested in management/administration and education. For those who wish further education, clinical laboratory science can serve as a stepping stone to graduate degrees in biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pathology, medicine, dentistry, public health, or hospital administration.

Clinical laboratory scientists are responsible for the performance of routine and specialized tests in the clinical laboratory. They are educated to correlate test results with the physiological condition of patients. Physicians utilize these results to determine the diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment of disease. Areas of laboratory medicine in which the clinical laboratory scientists are involved include hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, hemostasis, immuno-hematology, serology, microbiology (including parasitology, mycology, and virology), and urinalysis. In addition to hospitals, clinical laboratory scientists may be employed in veterinary schools and clinics, research, reference laboratories, physician offices, industry, and biotechnology companies. Opportunities also exist for those interested in management/administration and education. For those who wish further education, clinical laboratory science can serve as a stepping stone to graduate degrees in biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, pathology, medicine, dentistry, public health, or hospital administration.

UMHB has a “3+1” affiliation agreement with the Scott & White Program in Clinical Laboratory Science.  This means that a student majoring in Clinical Laboratory Science at UMHB must complete a minimum of 90 hours of core and minor coursework before applying to S&W for admission to the CLS program. Their last year of study will be entirely at Scott & White. Following the successful completion of that study and passing of the certification exam, the student will receive a B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science from UMHB. They will also be certified to work in a clinical lab. Application to the S&W CLS program is competitive – students must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 and a minimum science GPA of 2.5. To download an application form for this program and to access the letter of recommendation form click here. Complete admissions requirements can also be found at this link.

Of course, a UMHB student may also complete a 4-year degree here and then apply to the Scott & White CLS program or any other licensed program that they have met the prerequisites for. Information on CLS training programs in Texas, as well as professional CLS organization links can be found here.