Admission

Students must apply for acceptance into the Clinical Laboratory Science program.

Interested students are highly encouraged to make an advising appointment to determine eligibility prior to submitting an application to the program. Undergraduates apply by Nov. 1 during the first semester of their junior year.

Applicants go through an interview process in early December and will be informed if they are accepted into the clinical program before the beginning of the spring semester.

Deadlines

• Application deadline: Nov. 1
• Notification of acceptance: early to mid-January
• Professional phase start: Summer semester

Admission requirements

The application process is competitive, and meeting minimum criteria does not guarantee admission. A limited number of clinical positions are available each year.

• A minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA, in addition to a minimum 2.5 GPA in math/science courses, are required to be considered for acceptance. Working in a healthcare setting within the laboratory and/or shadowing a laboratory professional will help strengthen a student’s application.
• Prior to the beginning of the summer student lab, those admitted to the program will also be required to successfully complete the same background checks and screens routinely required of hospital employees, as well as provide comprehensive health and immunization records.
• Applicants must be admitted to the University of Missouri before they can be accepted into the CLS program. Non-MU international students who apply for admission to the fourth-year professional program will need to first be admitted through the MU Office of International Admissions.

A Bachelor of Science degree (or its equivalent) is required to sit for the ASCP Board of Certification Exam, which is taken upon completion of the professional program.

Applicants go through an interview process in December and will be informed if they are accepted into the clinical program before the spring semester begins.

International students

All applicants seeking admission to the Clinical Laboratory Science program must demonstrate the ability to read, write, speak and understand the English language. Applicants for whom English is not their native language may demonstrate proficiency by:

1. Providing evidence of a bachelor’s or advanced degree from an accredited institution of higher education in the United States or from a university where English is the primary language of instruction, or
2. Providing a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 600 (paper-based test), 250 (computer-based test) or 100 (internet-based test)

For more information

Make appointments to meet with a College of Health Sciences advisor, or Alese Thompson, site program coordinator.

• Download admission requirements
• Essential Requirements
• University of Nebraska Clinical Laboratory Science Handbook

To apply

1. Meet with an Advisor:
   • It’s advisable to meet with a College of Health Sciences advisor first to check your eligibility for acceptance before proceeding with the application.
2. Application Process:
   • Read the Application Information Letter for instructions and preparation
   • The application process consists of online forms and forms that will need to be emailed.
     1. Online Application Form:
        • Visit the CLS Application. https://forms.office.com/r/fPbr5SXGV5
        • Complete all pages of the application form to the best of your ability.
        • Provide contact information for your two recommenders.
          • Upon submission, the chosen recommenders will receive an email requesting completion of the recommendation form.
3. Remaining Application Materials:
   • Before completing the remaining materials, ensure you’ve submitted the Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) application.
   • Prepare the following materials as explained in the Application Information Letter and submit to umhsshpcls@health.missouri.edu:
     1. Letter of Intent:
        • Compose a separate letter of intent following the specifications outlined in the Application Information Letter.
     2. Academic Course List:
        • List past, current, and future course information.
     3. Application Fee:
        • Pay the $40.00 application fee
          • Payment options:
            • Check or Money Order (payable to the University of Missouri).
              • Include the applicant’s name and program in the notes.
            • Cash (exact change only):
              • Do not send cash via mail; make an appointment to pay in person.
            • Debit/credit card:
              • Pay online at . https://secure.touchnet.net/C20067_ustores/web/product_detail.jsp?PRODUCTID=2098&SINGLESTORE=true
            • Note: Student charge payments are currently not accepted.
        • If financial circumstances prevent you from paying the fee, contact alesethompson@health.missouri.edu.
4. Submission:
   • Email the completed application materials as attachments to umhsshpcls@health.missouri.edu.
   • For coursework-related questions, refer to the Advising Worksheet.

Contact umhsshpcls@health.missouri.edu if you have any questions