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.
Highlights
Clinical rotations with area hospital partners
Dedicated laboratory space in state-of-the-art Peckham Hall
100% placement rate in-field or continuing education
Entry-level positions are abundant; full-time roles typically start around $65,000–$70,000 per year
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
What does a clinical lab sciences major do?
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:
Research option
As a clinical lab sciences major, you have the option to pursue research projects related to biology, chemistry, or biomedical sciences with Nazareth faculty.
Example rotations/field experiences
- University of Rochester Medical Center Laboratories
- Highland Hospital
- F.F. Thompson Hospital
- United Memorial Medical Center
Program Director
-
Matthew C. Schoell
- Associate Professor, Director of the Undergraduate Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program
- 585-389-2587
- mschoel6@naz.edu
- Peckham Hall 320
- Bio
-
Education: B.S. Biochemistry, State University of New York at Geneseo, MLS (ASCP), Rochester General Hospital, Ph.D., Pharmacology, University of Rochester
Teaching interests: Clinical chemistry, especially clinical toxicology and metabolic testing. Transfusion service/immunology including complex antibody identification. I hope to see students develop their laboratory skills to become independent practitioners, and to prepare communications skills needed in the healthcare setting that are essential for patient focused care.
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."