Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Science (BHS/CLS)

Medical laboratory science professionals, often called medical laboratorians or clinical laboratory scientists, are vital healthcare detectives. They uncover and provide laboratory information from analyses that assists physicians in patient diagnosis and treatment as well as in disease monitoring or prevention. Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Science (BHS/CLS) offers a wide range of career options.

Career Opportunities and Forecast

You may work in a hospital, private clinic, independent laboratory or in the forensic science field. Other possibilities include business, industry, research, sales and marketing. Or maybe this is just the beginning of your educational journey. Students also use this major to prepare for medical, dental or pharmacy schools and admission to many graduate programs in medical sciences. Career Forecast indicates a growing outlook with an average salary of $68,049.

Program Structure and Delivery

Washburn University offers a Bachelor of Health Science in Medical Laboratory Science (BHS/CLS) through its partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). After three years of prerequisite coursework, students may complete this program in less than 12 months which includes 11 weeks in the summer at the UNMC Omaha campus. The remaining clinical and didactic coursework is then completed at Topeka area hospitals.

This program is a hybrid delivery. Students complete required prerequisites on campus. Once accepted into the program in their senior year students take courses online with the exception of their summer at UNMC. Exams are proctored on campus and clinicals are completed in person.

Quality Indicators and Success Rates

The CLS program values its mission, goals and student successes. Our numbers indicate the quality of education that Washburn provides. Graduates of this program are prepared to sit for the ASCP national certification examinations as Clinical/Medical Laboratory Scientists and will be well prepared for the workforce.

Upon completion of the program, you will be prepared to provide laboratory information that is timely, cost-effective and of high quality. Graduates demonstrate a command of medical laboratory science theory and application such that they develop, implement and evaluate the total laboratory process to improve patient care outcomes.

Application and Admission

Students apply during the first semester of their junior year and the priority deadline is Dec. 1. Applicants must have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA and a 2.5 GPA in math/science. The application process is competitive, and meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. Students must meet essential requirements to ensure success in both their clinical coursework and later in the workforce.