About the Program

Since 1980, the Wright State University Clinical Laboratory Science Program has developed and implemented a comprehensive 12-month clinical year which enables the student to master the skills and competencies needed to be a qualified practitioner. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL. 60018, Phone: 773-714-8880, (www.naacls.org). The program provides the student with meaningful educational experiences through study and application.

The courses are oriented toward job performance, theory and clinical correlation. Students are placed in varied practice environments. They are also oriented to the need for continuing education and leadership in the planning and management of laboratory services. The program plan is specifically designed to facilitate student progress, and promote career development in any geographic location.

At the core of the plan of instruction lie the fundamental curriculum goals:

• To educate laboratory scientists, who can adjust to changing roles and perform in various types of laboratories, and who, with experience and/or further education, will become administrators, teachers or specialists,
• To encourage the development of scientific attitudes, professional habits of thinking and a philosophy of life-long learning,
• To promote interaction, cooperation and intellectual growth within the laboratory community,
• To generate and apply new knowledge for the improvement of health care,
• To contribute leaders to the profession of clinical laboratory science.

Didactic Course Work

Students attend classes for approximately 7 hours each day. They begin with an orientation/phlebotomy course and progress through urinalysis/body fluids, immunology/serology, hematology, coagulation, chemistry, microbiology and blood banking. The day is typically divided into 3 hours of lecture and 3+ hours of laboratory procedures. The last week of didactic includes individual subject reviews and a comprehensive examination. Click here to view the curriculum.

Clinical Rotations

Clinical rotations begin in mid-September. Location, preference and individual learning styles determine student assignments. Students attend the rotation Monday - Thursday, and return to campus on Friday for lectures in advanced studies and specific case studies. The clinical faculty completes mid and final rotation evaluations on each student. The Program faculty is available at any time during these rotations to discuss student progress or any other related issues.

The Wright State program is fortunate to have many laboratory affiliates. Clinical sites range from small community hospital laboratories to large reference laboratories. All students also rotate throught several specialty laboratories including the Community Blood Center/Tissue Center, CCL Special Coagulation Laboratory and Orchid Gene Screen, a molecular diagnostics laboratory. These multiple sites provide exposure to various laboratory environments and employment opportunities.

Review and Comprehensive Examination

The last week of the 12-month program includes an intensive review by subject and a second comprehensive examination. This exam models the licensure examinations as closely as possible (www.ascp/bor) (www.ncalp). Wright State University CLS graduates have had a 100% pass rate on national examinations for the past several years. Passing of an examination is not required for graduation. Students from a 3 + 1 program receive their baccalaureate degree in the summer and students entering with a degree receive a certificate of completion

What about jobs?

There are many jobs both in the local area and throughout the United States. Many graduates are hired bythe clinical training sites but many other employment opportunities are available. Clinical Laboratory Scientists work in industrial research, biomedical research, pharmaceutical companies, teaching, product development and as sales and training representatives for related industries. Their excellent technical skills are considered valuable to many industries. Salaries vary with geographic region and most industry provides reimbursement for related advanced education. Many institutions offer flexible scheduling or a choice of day, evening or night shifts. Clinical Laboratory Scientists often continue their education to the master or doctorate level and some are practicing physicians.