Clinical Lab Sciences

Clinical Lab Sciences | Undergraduate

The Clinical Laboratory Science program offers a four-year Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science to individuals who seek a career in medical technology.

The Clinical Laboratory Science profession is an exciting and rewarding health career.  Clinical laboratory scientists provide rapid access to laboratory test results that are critical for the diagnostic and treatment decisions necessary for the delivery of quality healthcare. Our four-year curriculum for the bachelor’s degree is divided into two sections: the Lower Division and Upper Division. Within the Lower Division, freshman and sophomores will complete general prerequisite courses in their first two years of the program. Within the Upper Division, juniors and seniors will progress to advanced courses in medical technology, biochemistry, hematology, clinical decision making, and more during the last two years of the program. In the final senior year, students will gain hands-on clinical practicum experience at accredited clinical laboratories in the Washington, DC metropolitan area. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for national certification examinations.

A Bachelor of Sciences in Clinical Laboratory Science prepares graduates for employment opportunities in clinical, veterinary, and forensic laboratories; biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries; and management, marketing, and biomedical sales. Clinical laboratory scientists, also known as medical technologists, are employed nationally in renowned organizations such as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the Red Cross.

The goals of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences department are to provide an exceptional educational experience to its students; prepare highly skilled laboratory scientists who are committed to delivering quality health care; and instill values of professional responsibility, ethical conduct, and compassion for those we serve.

Accreditation

The Clinical Laboratory Science program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)

5600 N River Rd

Suite 720

Rosemont, IL 60018

(773) 714-8880

http://www.naacls.org

• Degree Classification: Undergraduate
• Related Degrees: B.S.
• Program Frequency: Full-Time
• Format: In Person

Lower Division Admission Requirements

First-time in college (FTIC) freshmen considered for admission into the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences must present proof of having met the following criteria:

• Graduation from high school ranking in the upper half of their graduating class. An official transcript or GED certificate must be sent directly from the high school to the Howard University Office of Admissions showing courses pursued, grades earned, rank in class, and proof of graduation.
• A minimum score of 500 mathematics and 500 verbal on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or an equivalent score of 20 on the American College Test (ACT)
• All students admitted as freshmen must have completed the following high school units with a grade C or better:
  • English, 4 units
  • Mathematics, 3 units (to include Algebra 1, Algebra II, & Geometry, Trigonometry or Calculus)
  • Biology, 1 unit
  • Chemistry, 1 unit

Upper Division Admission Requirements

Admission to the Upper Division program is competitive and restricted to the fall semester of each year. The program has limited enrollment and applicants who meet lower division requirements are not guaranteed admission. Lower Division students enrolled at Howard University who meet the admission criteria will receive first preference in the selection process.

Upper Division students in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Science  complete their clinical training in the senior year at affiliated clinical sites in hospitals or other approved facilities.  To ensure the safety of patients and the confidentiality of patient information, most clinical sites require students to pass a background check and  drug screen prior to their placement at the clinical site. While neither  the background check nor the drug screens are requirements for admission to Howard University and  Department of Clinical Laboratory Science You should be aware that failing this requirement will affect your clinical placement and your completion of the program.

For acceptance into the Upper Division of the Clinical Laboratory Science program, students must fulfill the following requirements:

• Submission of an Upper Division application
• Completion of required prerequisite courses with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and a cumulative science grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• A minimum grade of "C" in all prerequisite science and mathematics courses
• Two letters of recommendation
• Personal interviews with the Clinical Laboratory Science Admissions Committee