Clinical Laboratory Sciences

About the Profession

Clinical Laboratory Sciences is a dynamic profession that is ever changing in terms of technology and professional expertise. The clinical laboratory scientist is a highly skilled scientist who functions in multiple roles. Some of these roles include performing and evaluating diagnostic laboratory procedures on body fluids, developing new diagnostic procedures, supervising biomedical research projects, providing technical expertise, consulting, managing clinical and research laboratory departments, and analyzing and implementing laboratory information systems. The major areas of interest in laboratory science are hematology, immunohematology (transfusion medicine), clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, clinical immunology, body fluid analysis, and molecular diagnostics.

Career opportunities for the clinical laboratory scientist are readily available and include technical and management positions in hospitals and reference laboratories, research in biomedical companies, forensic medicine, public health, sales and marketing, private consulting, health care administration, and education.

The Clinical Laboratory Sciences program includes three courses of study:

1) a two-year, upper division curriculum that includes lecture and laboratory study on campus followed by clinical rotations in selected hospitals in the Jackson metropolitan area and throughout the state. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Click here for brochure on Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program.

2) an Advanced Standing Program designed to allow a Clinical Laboratory Technician/Medical Laboratory Technician (CLT/MLT) to receive credit for previous educational and professional experience and to earn a baccalaureate degree in clinical laboratory sciences from the University of Mississippi Medical Center through an online program. Click here for brochure on CLS Advanced Standing Program.

3) a post-baccalaureate Certificate in Molecular Diagnostics. Upon successful completion of the certificate program, the graduate is qualified to take the national certification examination as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology (CLSpMB) by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) and as a Technologist in Molecular Pathology MP(ASCP) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Click here for brochure on

Diagnostic Molecular Science Program.

For more information contact the Program Director of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Related Professions, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi, 39216-4505 or call (601) 984-6341.

CLS ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

To be eligible for admission, candidates must:

1. have a minimum of 58 semester hours of academic credit (exclusive of physical education, military science, dogmatic religion and vocation courses) from an accredited institution of higher learning;
2. complete a total of 12 hours in required science courses before the application is submitted;
3. complete the following minimum prerequisite requirements:

REQUIRED COURSES	NUMBER OF COURSES
Zoology with Laboratory or Biology with Laboratory	1
Anatomy and Physiology	1
Microbiology with Laboratory	1
General Chemistry with Laboratory	2
Organic or Biochemistry with Laboratory	1
College Algebra	1
English Composition	2
Humanities	2
Fine Arts	1
Social/Behavioral Science	1

Electives**

Additional hours as needed to total 58 hours

* Science survey courses designed for non-science majors are not acceptable for transfer credit.

** Suggested courses for electives: genetics, cell biology, calculus, psychology, sociology, management, computer applications.

All applicants must have a minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. If a course is repeated, both grades are used in calculating the grade point average. Admission to the program is on a competitive basis. A minimum grade of C is required on each course accepted for transfer. An interview with the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Admission Committee is required for all qualified applicants. Preference is given to applicants who are legal residents of Mississippi. The Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences offers an advanced standing program for certified clinical laboratory technicians. For more information contact the department.

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CERTIFICATION

Following satisfactory completion of all requirements, the student will be awarded the bachelor of science degree in clinical laboratory sciences from the University of Mississippi and is eligible to apply to take a national certification examination to become certified as a clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) or medical technologist MT(ASCP) and/or as a Clinical Laboratory Specialist in Molecular Biology (CLSpMB) by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) and as a Technologist in Molecular Pathology MP(ASCP) by the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

For more information, contact the Program Director of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, School of Health Related Professions, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi, 39216-4505 or call (601) 984-6341.

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Accreditation

The Clinical Laboratory Sciences program is accredited until 2010 by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 8410 W Bryn Mawr Ave, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631, Phone (773)-714-8880.

Fees and Expenses

Contact the Office of Student Records and Registrar at (601) 984-1080.

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Degree and Certification

Students who satisfactorily complete the program will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in clinical laboratory sciences from the University of Mississippi and are eligible to apply to take a national certification examination.

Application

Application CLS - Entering Summer 2008

Application CLS Advanced Standing

Application CLS Diagnostic Molecular Science - Entering Summer 2008

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Application Procedure and Fee

One class is admitted each fall. Application deadlines vary from program to program and are subject to change. For information regarding the application deadline, contact (601) 984-1080. All applicants must pay a nonrefundable application fee of $25. Applications or further information may be obtained from the Office of Student Records and Registrar, University of Mississippi Medical Center, 2500 North State Street, Jackson, Mississippi, 39216-4505.

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Applications for Financial Assistance

Applications for financial assistance and a packet containing the Student Financial Aid Handbook and other information will be sent to applicants accepted for admission upon receipt of the required deposit and letter of acceptance. A student should not apply for loans until an official letter of acceptance has been received. Applicants who will need financial assistance should contact the Office of Student Financial Aid at the University of Mississippi Medical Center. Students wishing to apply for aid at UMMC must: apply for a Personal Identification Number (PIN) online at www.pin.ed.gov , complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) online at www.fafsa.ed.gov (using UMMC's Federal School Code number 004688), and complete Entrance Counseling online at www.nelliemae.com . This must be done prior to 31 March in order to be eligible for priority consideration for financial aid.

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TOEFL

Since verbal and written communication skills are vital to success in the academic programs in the School of Health Related Professions, applicants whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination and to demonstrate competence in written and spoken English. Information on the TOEFL examination may be obtained from the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, NJ 08540.

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Admission Policy

Preference is given in admission to programs to qualified applicants who are legal residents of Mississippi.

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Disclaimer

Please Note: Prospective students should contact the Office of the Student Records and Registrar or the SHRP Department (see Contacts) for current information regarding application information, prerequisites, program requirements, or tuition and fees.

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Professional Course of Study in Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Junior Summer
CLS 310 Body Fluid Analysis	3
CLS 311 Basic and Clinical Immunology	3
CLS 327 Laboratory Operations	3
CLS 405 Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics	3
	12

Fall
CLS 312 Hematology	3
CLS 313 Clinical Microbiology I	4
CLS 314 Clinical Chemistry I	3
CT 323 Medical Genetics	2
	12

Spring
CLS 322 Hematology II	3
CLS 323 Clinical Microbiology II	4
CLS 324 Clinical Chemistry II	3
CLS 325Immunohematology I	4
	14

Senior Summer (optional)
CLS 427 Molecular Techniques I	7
CLS 428 Molecular Techniques II	5
	12

Fall
CLS 417 Principles of Management and Education in Clinical Laboratory Science	2
CLS 429 Clinical Correlations	3
CLS 430 Research in Clinical Laboratory Science	3
CLS 426 Clinical Seminar II	1
Electives	3
	12


Spring
CLS 424 Clinical Chemistry III	4
CLS 423 Clinical Microbiology VI	4
CLS 422 Hematology II	4
CLS 425 Immunohematology II	4
	16

Total	66

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CLS Program Home Page
National Certification Agency
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
UMC Continuing Education

Click here to request more information

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