Clinical Laboratory Science

Clinical Laboratory Sciences is for those with an interest in performing diagnostic testing on blood, bodily fluids, and other human specimens.

Check Out KU's Clinical Lab Science Program

Clinical Lab Sciences at a Glance

Laboratory science professionals play a vital role in the diagnosis, treatment, management, and prevention of disease. These professionals act as healthcare detectives behind the scenes, using both state-of-the-art biomedical instrumentation and manual methods to provide laboratory results to clinicians. Many medical decisions are based on laboratory results generated by laboratory professionals.

Core 34 Pre-Admission Coursework: Check Sheet (PDF), Accessible Check Sheet (PDF) 

Core Pre-Admission Coursework: Check Sheet (PDF), Accessible Check Sheet (PDF) 

References: Typically, programs require three letters of reference, including some from science instructors, science-based supervisors, or lab-based research supervisors.  

Shadowing Experience or Introductory Course: KU students must demonstrate knowledge of the profession through one of the following (this is also common to other programs): 

  • Successfully completing CLS 210/BIOL 210 (Intro to CLS)  
  • Having documented, recent experience working in a clinical laboratory as a laboratory assistant/similar position  
  • Spending time in a hospital laboratory observing specimen processing, workflow, phlebotomy, and other laboratory procedures. Two hours minimum is suggested to cover as many aspects of the laboratory as possible.   

Healthcare Experience: Recommended, but patient contact is not required.  

Community Service/Leadership Experience: Recommended  

Research Experience: Not required, but it may fulfill the shadowing experience above  

Pre-Admission Standardized Tests: None  

Student Organizations: International Pre-Health Sciences Organization, Delta Epsilon Mu (co-ed healthcare fraternity), University of Kansas Women in Medicine, Future Leaders in Healthcare  

 

Application Deadline: December 15 – typically, students apply during fall of sophomore year 

Resume Required: No 

Centralized Application Service: No 

Early Decision Option: No 

Interview Required: Yes 

Rolling Admissions: No