Clinical program

The Clinical Laboratory Science program is a 12-month program that begins after acceptance when a student completes their junior year. Clinical training and education is done in partnership with the NAACLS accredited clinical laboratory science program at the University of Nebraska Medical Center. Students graduate with a Bachelor of Health Science degree in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences with emphasis in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of Missouri upon successful completion of the program.

Professional certification

Upon completion of the program, students are eligible to take the Medical Technology Licensure examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). ASCP Certification has been the industry standard for laboratory professionals since 1928. Passing this exam earns the student the title of ASCP Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist, and entitles them to use MLS(ASCP) after their name to verify that they are proficient in their field. Additional information about certification is available by contacting ASCP Board of Certification at 312-738-1336, ext. 1344.

There is a critical national shortage of trained Clinical Laboratory Scientists, with more than 140,000 job openings; this number is actually increasing because of an aging workforce with high retirement rates.

Course work

The Clinical Laboratory Science program includes 43 credit hours taken over the course of one year, beginning in May. Once accepted, students spend 13 weeks at the University of Nebraska’s Medical Center in Omaha to begin their coursework and laboratory introduction and rotations.

Upon completion of the summer student lab in Omaha, students will complete their clinical rotations at local and regional hospitals. Coursework will be completed online through the University of Nebraska’s Canvas course management system. Graduates are eligible to apply for ASCP board certification as medical laboratory scientists upon completion of the program.

Clinical facilities

Clinical rotations will be through the following facilities:

• University of Missouri Hospital in Columbia, Missouri
• Harry S. Truman Veterans Hospital in Columbia, Missouri
• Boone Hospital Center in Columbia, Missouri
• Barnes Jewish Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri
• Children’s Hospital, St. Louis, Missouri

Admissions

Students must apply for acceptance into the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program in the fall of their junior year. Find out about application requirements, early admission options and what you need to apply to the program. 

High school seniors and first-semester MU freshmen may be eligible to apply for early admission to the CLS program.

Accreditation

Program accreditation

MU CLS training is partnered with the NAACLS accredited medical laboratory science program of the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: 847-939-3597 or 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
Email: info@naacls.org

Institutional accreditation

University of Missouri institutional accreditation is provided by:

The Higher Learning Commission
30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
Phone: 800-621-7440

See the University of Missouri Provost’s Office website for professional licensure disclosure information.