Two students working in a lab
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Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Bachelor of Science

70% of medical decisions depend on laboratory test results performed by clinical laboratory scientists. -CDC

The clinical laboratory sciences program is an accredited undergraduate degree achieving a Bachelor of Sciences that leads to national board certification, from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP), and NYS licensure.

Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS), also known as Clinical Laboratory Technologists, are nationally certified healthcare professionals who aid in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. An undergraduate degree in clinical laboratory sciences involves an extensive theoretical and experiential knowledge base through clinical internships at affiliated hospitals and reference laboratories.

The Clinical Laboratory Sciences program within the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is committed to a student-centered inclusive pedagogical model that supports student success, personal, and professional development. Our graduates are equipped with the tools to become leaders in their respective fields who work effectively in interprofessional collaborative environments.

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Degree Type
BS
Area of Interest
Nursing, Pharmacy & Health Sciences
Associated Colleges or Schools
Program Location
  • Queens Campus
Required Credit Hours
138
Associated Centers or Institutes

Learning Outcomes

Students perform laboratory procedures that support the development of critical independent judgment:

  • Recognize principles of theory and applications of clinical methodology
  • Follow guidelines to procedural specimen collection, integrity, analysis, and preservation
  • Analyze data, evaluate, and interpret test results
  • Maintain complex sophisticated clinical analyzers and laboratory equipment
  • Troubleshoot discrepancies and analytical problems
  • Observe case studies and provider consultations
  • Interprofessional collaboration with other healthcare professionals
  • Conduct research and validate new test methods
  • Maintain quality assurance and safety standards
  • Demonstrate ethics and professionalism while interacting with peers, faculty, staff and patients
  • Adhere to the strict codes of patient confidentiality

Mission Statement

The Clinical Laboratory Sciences program at St. John’s University strives to prepare our students with the highest quality education, technical abilities, and professional attitudes necessary to be integral members of the healthcare team as clinical laboratory scientists. Students will acquire skills to practice as ethical and competent professionals, maintain the strictest confidence in patient matters and recognize their responsibility for the betterment of human welfare.

Program Contact

Contact the Program Director to answer any questions regarding the Clinical Laboratory Sciences program.

Robina Colclough-Davy, M.S., MLS(ASCP)CM

Director and Assistant Professor, Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program

718-990-8421

Program Effectiveness and Outcomes

The Program Effectiveness and Outcomes data include the ASCP national credentialing examination pass rate, job placement rate, and program completion rate reported annually over the last three years.

Outcomes

Results of the ASCP national certification exam (pass rate within the 1st year of graduation)

YearCertification Pass RateGraduation RateEmployment RateAttrition
2022100%100%100%0%
2023100%100%100%0%
2024100%100%100%66.6%

 

 

Featured Faculty

Get to know us! Our experienced faculty in the clinical laboratory is here to help you.

Curriculum and Information

The clinical laboratory sciences program holds accreditation through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018. The most recent accreditation visit extended accreditation until 2027.

Graduates of the clinical laboratory sciences program receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) national certification exam. This certification is recognized across the country and enables graduates to practice in any state.

Successful completion of the courses leading to the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and passing the ASCP national certification exam allow graduates to apply to the New York State Department of Education for a license to practice as a clinical laboratory technologist. In addition, graduates who go on to practice in other states with licensure laws are eligible to apply for that state’s license, based on passing the certification exam.

Professional licensure and certification requirements often vary from state to state. St. John’s University has not determined requirements for individual states beyond New York. If you reside or plan to reside outside New York you are strongly encouraged to contact the appropriate state licensing agency in that state to seek information and guidance before beginning the program.

To earn the Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences, students complete 138 credits, including core, major-sequence and elective requirements, as outlined below. For more information about courses, please see the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences section of our Undergraduate Bulletin.

The faculty expressly reserves the right to make alterations in the curriculum consistent with the profession's needs.

First Year 

Fall Semester

ENG 1000CComposition3
MTH 1250CStatistics3
CHE 1110, 1111, 1112Chem/Org I4
ALH 2101Intro to Clinical Laboratory Science2
DNY 1000CDiscover NY3
THE 1000CChristianity3
TOTAL 18

Spring Semester

ENG 1100CLiterature3
MTH 1260CCalculus3
CHE 1120, 1121, 1122Chem/Org II3
BIO 2000General Biology 13
BIO 2001LGeneral Biology 1 Lab1
PHI 1000CHuman Person3
TOTAL 17

Second Year 

Fall Semester

CHE 1130, 1131, 1132Chem/Org III4
PHY ElectivePhysics3
PHS 3103A& P 13
PHI 2200/2240Ethics3
PHS 3104A & P 1 Lab1
Lang 1/LAC 1000Lang or Lang & Culture3
TOTAL 15

Spring Semester

SOCAny Psych, Sociology, Anthro elective3
PHS 3105A&P 23
PHS 2101Public Health3
PHS 3101General Pathology3
PHI 3000CMetaphysics3
 Lang 2/Art/ Music3
TOTAL 18

Third Year

Fall Semester

TOX 4413Quant & Analytical Toxicology3
TOX 4414Quant & Analytical Toxicology2
TOX 1401Toxigenomics3
TOX 1402Toxigenomics Lab1
THE 2XXXTheology Elective3
SPE 1000CSpeech3
Language I or LAC 1000C 3
TOTAL 18

Spring Semester

BIO 2280/1Microbiology4
BIO 3460/ 1Immunology4
THE 3XXXTheo 30003
PHS 4202Clinical Chemistry3
HIS 1000C 3
TOTAL 17

Fourth Year

Summer Semester

ALH 4140Transition to the Clinical Lab

2

Fall Semester

ALH 4151Clinical Bacteriology I3
ALH 4152Clinical Immunology I1
ALH 4153Clinical Immunohematology I2
ALH 4154Clinical Hematology I3
ALH 4155App, Anal, Lab Practice in Clin Chem I4
ALH 4156Urinalysis & Body Fluids2
ALH 4157Mycology & Parasitology I2
TOTAL 17

Spring Semester

ALH 4161Clinical Bacteriology I3
ALH 4162Clinical Immunology II1
ALH 4163Clinical Immunohematology II2
ALH 4164Clinical Hematology II2
ALH 4165
App. Anal & Lab Practice in Cl Chem II
4
ALH 4166Urinalysis & Body Fluids II2
ALH 4167Mycology & Parasitology II2
ALH 4168Clinical Ed. Mgmt & Research1
TOTAL 17

For admission to the professional phase of St. John's University Program of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, the prospective student must be familiar with progression criteria.

Students must maintain a 2.30 overall (science and math) GPA in the pre-professional courses to progress within their major. A 2.30 or higher overall GPA is required for a student to progress into the Clinical Laboratory Sciences program's professional phase. Students will be interviewed prior to entering the professional year as part of their progression process. All pre-professional courses must be completed before entering the program's professional phase.

Within the professional phase, students must maintain an overall GPA of 2.30, earn a letter grade of C+ or greater in each didactic and clinical course, and adhere to the attendance policy to progress from semester to semester.

Hearst Foundation Awards Grant to College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences to Support Diversity Recruitment

Workforce Projections

According to the 2022 Health Resources and Services Administration’s Allied Health Workforce Projections,  the Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists workforce would need to increase by approximately 19%, by 2030.

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How much does a Clinical Laboratory Scientist make?

Clinical Laboratory Scientist Salary in New York

Our Program

Success at St. John's University

Angela Tomei Robinson headshot

Award-Winning Clinical Laboratory Scientist Reflects on 40-Year Career

Angela Tomei Robinson ‘79MT, ‘85GP recently retired after a career in clinical health science that spanned more than 40 years. As a student in the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions (now called the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences (CPHS)), she was the first medical technology student to be named a member of the President’s Society, the University’s highest honor for undergraduates. She was also awarded the Scientific Products New York State Outstanding Medical Technology Student of the Year Award.

Angela Tomei Robinson ‘79MT, ‘85GP College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences

Highlight

St. John’s provided me with a disciplined education and the background needed to evolve as a professional. I was able to intern at a local hospital and the clinical internships in chemistry/blood banking/microbiology/hematology captivated me. There was no turning back.

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