Website: https://www.washburn.edu/academics/college-schools/applied-studies/departments/allied-health/bhs/cls/index.html

Priority Deadline for Application: December 1

Mission

Upon completion of the medical laboratory science (CLS) education program, the graduate will be the health care team professional responsible for providing laboratory information that is timely, cost-effective and of high quality. The laboratory professional will demonstrate a command of medical laboratory science theory and application such that s/he develops, implements, and evaluates the total laboratory process to improve patient care outcomes.

Washburn University Assessment – Program Student Learning Outcomes

The CLS graduate will demonstrate:

• PSLO 1: Competence through their ability to interpret, assess validity and correlate medical information relevant to their professional discipline.
• PSLO 2: Technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill their professional discipline.
• PSLO 3: Professional behavior consistent with expectations of their professional discipline.

Description of Program

The CLS Program provides patient-centered educational opportunities, with theoretical knowledge and practical experience in hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunohematology (blood bank), immunology, molecular diagnostics and laboratory management. The program emphasizes laboratory principles and procedures, clinical significance and application, principles and practice of quality assurance, principles of laboratory management and supervision, safety, instructional methods, and computer applications.

CLS Program Goals

• Graduate technically competent practitioners, who interpret, assess validity and correlate clinical laboratory data.
• Instill the highest standards of performance and professional ethics in all graduates.
• Provide graduates with tools that promote sound, independent judgment, successful problem-solving abilities, and essential educational and administrative skills.
• Graduate professionals who are effective communicators with all members of the health care team, patients and the public (community).
• Support and mentor the development of professional responsibility to include lifelong learning activities, teamwork skills, and the ability to adapt to and facilitate change.
• Graduate professionals who actively educate others regarding the integral role of medical laboratory scientists in delivering quality patient care.
• Prepare graduates to pass national certification examinations in order to enter professional practice.

Accreditation

Washburn University’s CLS program, in conjunction with the University of Nebraska Medical Center, is accredited by:

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
(773) 714-8880

Admission Requirements

This program has special admission requirements due to limited enrollment.

In addition to the 43 hours of major coursework listed below, students must meet all prerequisites, general education and university requirements. The prerequisites include a minimum of 16 credit hours of biology and 16 credit hours of chemistry. Interested students should contact the CLS advisor for information about the prerequisites, application requirements and priority application deadlines.

Some students complete a Bachelor of Science degree prior to entering the CLS program. These students should contact the CLS advisor to determine program eligibility.

Degree Requirements

In addition to the requirements stated below, students must complete 34-35 hours of General Education and any additional hours needed to reach the minimum 120 credit hours required for graduation. Some of the courses below may also fulfill general education or other degree requirements. Please see your advisor for more information.

¹

Students must receive a C or better in each course.