Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Bachelor of Science
Gain a solid foundation in the sciences, hands-on experience with current medical technologies, and fast job offers in your field.

Clinical laboratory scientists (also known as medical technologists or technicians) play essential roles in today's hospitals and medical practices. Whether identifying infections, delivering safe blood products for transfusions, or evaluating metabolic function, you will help patients and their physicians make the best medical decisions possible. The field has a shortage of qualified professionals, leading to excellent career prospects nationally and locally. Nazareth develops ethical professionals dedicated to offering the best health care.

Course curriculumStudent outcomesCost of attendance

two students in lab coats conducting a chemical analysis

Highlights

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Clinical rotations with area hospital partners

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Dedicated laboratory space in state-of-the-art Peckham Hall

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100% placement rate in-field or continuing education

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Entry-level positions are abundant; full-time roles typically start around $46,000–$50,000 per year

student in a lab coat and gloves holding a pipette
a drawing of laboratory equipment on grid paper
student in scrubs and gloves working in a laboratory

Career Paths

  • Clinical laboratory scientist
  • Medical technologist
  • Medical laboratory technician
  • Public health laboratory scientist
  • Biotechnologist
  • Forensic science technician
Career Field
  • Clinical laboratory scientists (medical technologists / technicians) use complex instrumentation to perform biochemical, cellular, microbiologic, and molecular testing. Nurses and physicians use the test results to guide treatment and help patients make informed decisions.
  • While many patients never meet us directly, our work helps make nearly three quarters of all medical decisions.
  • Clinical laboratory science jobs are primarily in hospitals or independent laboratories.
Career Outlook
  • Clinical rotations provide experience and job connections at area laboratories, which face a shortage of clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists and technicians.
  • Employment opportunities are projected to grow much faster than average, driven by retirements of current professionals.
  • Certification by American Society for Clinical Pathology fulfills hiring requirements in many states. New York state licensure is transferrable to nearly every state with licensure.
  • Additional career opportunities include employment in the biotechnology industry, public health and safety laboratories, and graduate medical or scientific education.

900

square-foot general biology lab

$1.2M

anatomy and physiology laboratory complete with a six-table human gross anatomy dissection suite

Top 20

ranked science labs in the nation by The Princeton Review

Transfer Students

Our flexible program accepts students at any step in their academic careers. Complete the program in two years when transferring with a minimum GPA of 2.7 overall and in STEM classes, plus this coursework:

Coursework
  • 1 year of Introductory Biology
  • at least 1 semester of Anatomy and Physiology (or equivalent)
  • 1 year of Introductory Chemistry (or 1 semester Introductory and 1 semester in Analytical Chemistry)
  • at least 1 semester of Organic Chemistry
  • 1 semester of Calculus
  • 1 semester of Statistics
  • a variety of liberal arts courses at the 100 level
Example rotations/field experiences
  • University of Rochester Medical Center Laboratories
  • Highland Hospital
  • F.F. Thompson Hospital
  • United Memorial Medical Center
Program outcome rates
Graduating year2023-242022-232021-22
Graduation rate 100% 100% 100%
Attrition rate 0% 0% 0%
Placement rate (in-field or continuing education) 100% 100% 100%
Certification exam pass rate (within one year) 100% 100% 80%
Student Handbook

Essential functions of the discipline are included in the CLS Student Handbook.

Professional Licensure Disclosure

Nazareth University curriculum is designed to help students complete the NAACLS-accredited bachelor’s degree in Clinical Lab Sciences and meets educational requirements in New York to sit for the ASCP exam.

Nazareth University cannot determine whether completion of the bachelor’s degree in Clinical Lab Sciences meets educational requirements to apply for board certification in other states.

For questions regarding the program, please contact Matthew Schoell, Ph.D., mschoel6@naz.edu

Accreditation

We are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119; 773-714-8880; www.naacls.org.

Contact
Mackenzie Kirkland, alum of clinical lab science degree, medical technology, lab technician major

Alumni Spotlight

Mackenzie Kirkland '18

"You will get a job. Strong Hospital asked me to apply and hired me. That's huge. You will be able to affect patient care in a very meaningful way. We (medical technologists) are finding out what's wrong. Reporting what kind of cancerous cells you see could save their life — but you also don't have to provide devastating news. You get to go to work after 4 years. You don't have to go through medical school, and a residency, to have that effect. I've talked to people in other programs that are quicker, but this 4-year degree allows you to focus on each subject in-depth. The board exams are so in-depth, it allows you to be more prepared."