two students in lab coats conducting a chemical analysis

Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Bachelor of Science

Overview

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, we help patients and their physicians make the best medical decisions possible. The field currently faces a shortage of qualified professionals, leading to excellent career prospects nationally and locally.

Our program builds a solid foundation in the sciences while providing hands-on experience with current medical technologies. Nazareth's core curriculum enriches this foundation, developing ethical professionals dedicated to offering the best health care.

Upon completion of our program, students are prepared for board exams leading to certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathology and licensure by New York state. With this bachelor's degree and these credentials, graduates are ready for careers in health care and research settings or to pursue further studies at graduate or medical schools. 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.

Highlights

  • Our program offers clinical rotations in partnership with area hospitals including the University of Rochester Medical Center, United Memorial Medical Center, and FF Thompson Hospital. No other area college offers that.
  • Nazareth University is a regional leader in producing highly qualified graduates for the health and human service industry.
  • Our program has dedicated laboratory space in Peckham Hall, ranked among the top University science labs in the nation. Peckham Hall's features include:
    • $1.2 million anatomy and physiology laboratory complete with a six-table human gross anatomy dissection suite and a human exercise performance (metabolic cart) system.
    • Spaces designed for collaboration among math, chemistry, biology, and health and human services students.
    • Reserved lab space for faculty and student research initiatives.
Program outcome rates
Student Handbook
Professional Licensure Disclosure

Program Details

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

Fully immersed

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Start with a solid foundation in the sciences

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

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Clinical rotations in partnership with area hospitals

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100% placement rate in-field or continuing education

Example rotations/field experiences

  • University of Rochester Medical Center Laboratories
  • Highland Hospital
  • F.F. Thompson Hospital
  • United Memorial Medical Center

$4,000

UP TO $4,000 TO INVEST IN YOU
Unique to Nazareth, our SPARK Grant provides $1,500 for you to pursue internships, research, and study abroad, plus up to $2,500 in a tuition scholarship for summer SPARK-eligible experiences that earn credit. SPARK stories »

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

Your life's work

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.
  • Example careers:
    • Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist/Medical Laboratory Technician
    • Scientist at Reference Laboratories or Public Health Laboratories
    • Biotechnology Industry

Career outlook

  • Clinical rotations provide experience and job connections at area laboratories, which face a shortage of clinical laboratory scientists/medical technologists and technicians.
  • Entry-level positions are abundant, and full-time positions generally start around $46,000 to $50,000 per year.
  • 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.
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."