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Clinical Laboratory Science program

Undergrad major Graduate degree

Use your lab skills to help physicians diagnose and treat patients.

A clinical laboratory scientist, also called a medical technologist or medical laboratory scientist, is a vital and in-demand member of the healthcare team. These professionals perform tests on patient samples to determine the presence or absence of disease, as well as its severity and the effectiveness of treatment. 

UWL's Clinical Laboratory Science program has a track record of success. In each of the past three years, 100% of program graduates passed the national certification exam and the program had a 100% job placement rate for those entering the profession. Admission to the clinical laboratory science major is on a competitive basis. 

Laboratory work is often performed behind the scenes and goes unnoticed, but a career in Clinical Laboratory Science is extremely rewarding. Having experienced my clinical internship year in the midst of a pandemic, the importance of the work we do is quite evident.

Haley Plachinski

Medical technologist jobs

As molecular diagnostics expand in the clinical setting, the healthcare industry is experiencing greater demand for highly-educated and skilled individuals in clinical laboratory science. Nationwide the vacancy rate is 12%. CLS training is also excellent background for continuing education in graduate or medical school.

Positions

  • Clinical laboratory scientist/medical laboratory scientist
  • Laboratory supervisor/manager/director
  • Quality assurance coordinator
  • Infection control practitioner
  • Laboratory information systems specialist tech
  • Health educator
  • Fertility/transplant/bone marrow scientist
  • Laboratory equipment/pharmaceutical sales and development
  • Research scientist
  • Forensic laboratory technologist
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What is a medical technologist?

Medical technologists, medical laboratory scientists, or clinical laboratory scientists are different titles to describe the same profession. These professionals examine and analyze body fluids, tissues and cells. They detect and identify bacteria, parasites, or other microorganisms; analyze the chemical content of fluids; select blood for transfusion; and run tests to see how patients are responding to treatment. 

What distinguishes UWL's Clinical Laboratory Science program?

Stellar certification and job placement rates

Over the past three years, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam pass rate for UWL students has been 100%, with a 100% job placement for those entering the profession. ASCP certification is widely accepted as the most influential leader in the field of certification of medical laboratory professionals.

Practice with technology used in the field

Students learn methods and procedures on equipment and instruments similar to what is found in the clinical setting. Once in the clinical setting, students will apply the theoretical knowledge gained on campus and advance to competencies required for entry into the profession.

Gain professional experience

Students spend three years on campus and their fourth working alongside professionals in lab settings located throughout the Upper Midwest:

  • Mayo Clinic Laboratories (Rochester, MN)
  • Hennepin Healthcare Laboratories (Minneapolis, MN)
  • Marshfield Laboratories (Marshfield, WI)
  • Aspirus Wausau Hospital Laboratories (Wausau, WI)
  • Ascension/St. Elizabeth Healthcare Laboratories (Appleton, WI)
  • University of North Dakota Medical Laboratory Science Program
Robust program creates options for future career growth

The program education is so broad that the required courses to enter the program are similar to medical, dental and veterinary schools. This allows program graduates to easily transition into careers requiring additional education such as physician assistant, medical doctor, veterinarian, dentist and more.

Graduates are eligible to take certification exam

Once the CLS degree is obtained, the graduate is eligible to sit for the national certification examination through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

Dedicated faculty

Program majors receive instruction from outstanding professors during both the pre-professional and professional phases of their education. The faculty share current clinical, research and publication experiences with students.

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