Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Bachelor of Science (B.S.)
Admissions requirements
The basic requirements for admission to the baccalaureate program in clinical laboratory sciences are as follows:
Students with no previous clinical laboratory training must have completed at least 60 semester hours at an accredited college or university, including;
- Biology: 12 hours to include general biology; human physiology and anatomy recommended
- Chemistry: 12 hours to include 8 hours of general chemistry with the remaining 4 hours in (in order of preference) quantitative analysis, organic chemistry or qualitative analysis
- English: 6-9 hours of composition*
- Mathematics: 3 hours; additional mathematics or physics recommended.
- Humanities/arts: 3 hours (selected from courses in history, philosophy, political science, religion, foreign languages, literature, art history or art appreciation)
- Social sciences: 3 hours (selected from courses in anthropology, economics, geography, psychology or sociology)
NOTE: Survey courses in biology or chemistry are not acceptable.
*VCU: UNIV 111-112 and UNIV 200 or their equivalents
In addition to the academic requirements, there are "essential functions" (non-academic requirements) that students must master to successfully participate in the program. The following is a list of the essential technical abilities and skills applicants for admission to the clinical laboratory science program should possess:
- Manual dexterity: ability to use hand(s) or prosthetic devices with coordination
- Fine motor: ability to manipulate small objects with fingertips or adaptive devices
- Mobility: ability to maneuver in the laboratory and around instruments and in patient-care settings
- Vision: ability to distinguish red, yellow and blue colors; distinguish clear from cloudy; and distinguish objects through a microscope
- Hearing: ability to hear with assistive devices (i.e., phone receivers, hearing aid, etc.)
- Speech: ability to verbally communicate in English
- Writing: ability to communicate effectively in written form in English.
- Reading: ability to read, understand and follow directions printed in English
- Emotional and physical stability: ability to work accurately and safely under stress, adapt to changing environments and prioritize tasks.
- Personal attributes: must demonstrate integrity, responsibility, tolerance and respect
For applicants with an associate degree in laboratory science
Certified MLTs (CLTs) qualify for special admission with less than 60 hours of credit. An MLT (CLT) applicant must have a minimum of 44 non-MLT semester hours of transferable credit for admission as a full-time student (38 hours for part-time admission). The transfer hours must include: 8 hours of biology, 8 hours of chemistry, 3 hours of mathematics and 6 hours of English composition. MLTs admitted under special status are required to complete the science, humanities and social sciences requirements for regular admission before they qualify for graduation.
CLS credit may be granted for upper-level course requirements through challenge examinations or exemptions based on documented competencies, depending upon a student’s past academic performance in previous course work and clinical experience.
MLTs (CLTs) who meet the exemption eligibility requirements for the junior-level laboratory portions of the curriculum may take the CLS course work online.