Clinical Laboratory Technology

College Majors Science Majors
1

Hello! I am currently a senior in high school and am confused about what major I should take if I want to work as a clinical laboratory technologist/scientist. I believe you need to major in a life science but I’m not entirely sure. Also, I was wondering if majoring in health science would work. I’m a bit confused as to what path I should take in order to work under this occupation.

2

A technologist is different from a “scientist”. The first degree requires an AA at most. The second is typically a PhD position, except if you are talking strictly about clinical labs, in which case it is likely a 4-year degree.

Clinical lab techs outside of the research university can be vocational/technical trainees.

Maybe you could describe the kind of work you are thinking about.

3

I’m thinking of getting a Bachelor’s of Science degree and then getting into a lab program so that I can become a clinical laboratory technologist. To become a clinical laboratory ‘technician’ requires only an AA. But to become a clinical laboratory ‘technologist’ requires a Bachelor’s. I plan to work in a lab and test out bodily fluids like blood to help diagnose patients with diseases or cancer. This type of occupation works closely with doctors.

4

Thank you for your response.

5

See here:

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm

http://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm#tab-4

http://study.com/medical_technology_schools.html

6

Thanks for the link. Sounds like I have to major in medical laboratory technology or another life science. I’m wondering if the major ‘health science’ is under the category of ‘life science’.

7

It could be in health science but it belongs to a specific department. For example, medical technology major belongs to the School of Health Professions at University of Arizona:

http://catalog.arizona.edu/geninfo/college/974/HR.shtml

http://medicine.osu.edu/hrs/mls/pages/index.aspx

You can google “medical technology major college_name” to find the specific program at each college.

Life science is too general.

8

Thank you.

9

Medical Technology, now called Clinical Laboratory Scientist, requires at least an undergraduate degree (bachelor os science) and is a great career choice. Study all the science and math you can get in high school. Then follow your prospective university’s degree plan. Our neighbor´s child just began college with an eye on TSU’s CLS program.
http://tsu.edu/academics/colleges-and-schools/college-of-pharmacy-and-health-sciences/departments-programs/clinical-laboratory-science.php

10

I’m planning to attend universities/colleges in California. Hopefully, I find one that provides the program(s) suited for me.

11

There are some schools in CA:

http://careers.ucsc.edu/health/health_professions/medtech.html

12

Oh I see. “College graduates who major in other sciences and meet a program’s prerequisites, such as having completed required courses in biology and chemistry, also may apply to a medical laboratory science program.”

13

So I suppose this means that I can major in any life science as long as I cover the prerequisites for a medical laboratory science program.

14

Thank you for all this information. I found it very helpful.

15

You can get the certification by 2 ways:

  1. Go to a college that offers a BS degree in MT. This is preferable because you only need 4 years of study.

http://www4.csudh.edu/health-sciences/clinical-science/admission/index

Private school - costs more but it has financial aid.

http://www.llu.edu/allied-health/sahp/clinlab/admissions.page?

  1. Get a BS degree in science then apply to the MT program for additional 12 months of study.
16

California CLS here. You can major in anything you want as long as take the required courses to apply for a CLS program. Health Sciences and Microbiology are good majors since most if not all the major required courses fulfill the CLS program requirements. I suggest you get your BS degree and apply to the year long CLS program. The CLS programs are competitive especially in California, so make sure you do well in the pre-req classes in college.

Many of the Cal States: SDSU/SFSU/CSULA/CSUGH/SJSU will have science majors with an emphasis or option in CLS. If you have any specific quesitions, you can PM me. Good Luck

http://www.csubiocompass.org/lifescienceeducation/clinicalsciencescertificates.html

http://www.csubiocompass.org/lifescienceeducation/clinicalsciencesdegrees.html