As a clinical laboratory scientist, you will analyze blood, urine, tissue or other body specimens – these test results play an important role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease. |
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WHERE TO BEGIN Do you like solving puzzles and problems? Do you excel in handling multiple tasks? Do you like a fast-paced and challenging environment? Do you like hands-on science? Do you want to find a science-based degree that prepares you for advanced studies in science or applied sciences such as medical school? Do you want a career that develops skills and provides experience to be used in a variety of employment settings? A good first step is to talk with someone who is a clinical laboratory scientist or medical technologist. If possible, “shadow” a clinical laboratory scientist for a few days. The most obvious place to find a CLS is in your local hospital laboratory – keeping in mind that hospital laboratories do not reflect the nature of all CLS work opportunities.
The molecular biotechnology specialty of CLS can be found working in areas of research, industrial, and forensic laboratories for example as well as in medical laboratories. For students already enrolled at the University of Kansas, CLS 210 is offered fall and spring semesters on the Lawrence campus. This course does provide an overview of the profession and all of its subspecialities and is a very good way to learn about a CLS career. The Career Profiles section enables visitors to read about current professionals in the field. We would also be happy to help answer any questions you may have – to contact the KU Department of CLS Education, please email us at clsed@kumc.edu or call (913) 588-5220 to schedule an informational visit or have a personal tour of the clinical laboratories at the KU Medical Center in Kansas City, Kansas.
High school preparation should include as much math and science as possible – minimally biology, chemistry and physics and math through calculus. If you have completed high school, did not take the math and science courses but want to become a CLS, you may need to take preparatory courses before enrolling in the standard college level biology, math and chemistry courses. Most community colleges offer these preparatory courses. To become a CLS/MT, one must enroll in an accredited program. The KU School of Allied Health, located on the KU Medical Center campus offers a 2+2 accredited program culminating in a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science. Since clinical laboratory science is an undergraduate degree, it is your “major”. If you already have a college degree you may be able to enter an accredited CLS program to complete the professional component if you have the necessary prerequisites.
Students who have entered their sophomore year of college and anticipate completion of prerequisites by the end of the academic year may apply to the KU CLS Education Department for admission into the professional component of the program (see How to Apply).
After graduation from the KU's CLS program, students are eligible to take the national certification examination. In most medical laboratories, certification is a requirement for continued employment (as well as advancement and optimum salary). Some states have a separate licensure process as well. Kansas does not. |
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The last 2 years (beginning in August each year) of clinical coursework and practicum are taken in the metropolitan Kansas City area primarily at the University of Kansas Medical Center, although some courses during the junior year are taught at the Edwards Campus. 
