Frequently Asked Questions

WHAT IS A CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENTIST (CLS)?

• The CLS is responsible for the development, performance and evaluation of laboratory testing needed in patient medical care and clinical research.
• They analyze samples of blood, tissue, and body fluids using cutting-edge technology and a variety of analytical techniques.

WHERE DOES A CLS WORK?

• A Bachelor of Health Science in Clinical Laboratory Science will give graduates the ability to work in many different environments and several areas of expertise. 
  • HOSPITALS
  • REFERENCE LABS
  • FORENSIC LABS
  • RESEARCH
  • INDUSTRY
  • PUBLIC HEALTH
  • PHARMACEUTICAL LABS
  • VETERINARY CLINICS

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE TO GET A CLS DEGREE?

• Washburn University partners with the University of Nebraska Medical Center http://www.unmc.edu/alliedhealth/cls.htm to offer the CLS program.  It is 11.5 months in length with 11 weeks in the summer at the UNMC Omaha campus, then the remaining clinical/didactic coursework at Topeka area hospitals. 
• Students must meet the prerequisite requirements of 77 credit hours with specific courses in biology and chemistry prior to acceptance into the program. 

WHAT CLASSES WILL I NEED TO TAKE?

• Washburn offers a pre CLS track totaling 77 undergraduate hours. The remaining 43 hours are completed in the clinic setting. Please see the list of prerequisites. 
• For students with an undergraduate degree, UNMC has specific course requirements in Biology and Chemistry. Please see the list of prerequisites for degreed students.   

WILL I BE ABLE TO FIND A JOB AFTER GRADUATION?

• The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 14% growth by 2016 with 13,700 new professionals needed per year.