The BS in Clinical Laboratory Science degree will prepare graduates as medical laboratory scientists through a partnership program leading to a BS degree awarded jointly between FDU and Rutgers University School of Health Professions. Upon successful completion of the degree requirements, the student will qualify for the examination given by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) for the certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS-ASCP). Students complete 6 semesters of pre-professional courses at FDU before applying to the 15-month, university-based Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program at Rutgers, for an additional 45 credits. The Rutgers component of the degree program includes clinical experiences and practicum. Students will learn from experienced faculty and practicing professionals, and have access to resources such as lectures, laboratory simulations, and clinical rotations in multiple affiliated hospitals during this program. Through experiences at multiple hospitals, students are exposed to a wide range of career opportunities.  Because this is a partnership program, both FDU and Rutgers will be listed on the graduate’s diploma.

Careers as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (AKA “Clinical Laboratory Scientist”)

Medical Laboratory Scientists are clinical laboratory professionals who play a major role in patient care, providing laboratory data which are crucial for the diagnosis of diseases, the management of patient therapy and maintenance of health. Medical Laboratory scientists perform a wide variety of analytical procedures requiring expertise in state-of-the-art technology and instrumentation, as well as organizational, problem solving and communication skills. Major disciplines in medical technology include clinical chemistry, clinical immunology, clinical microbiology, hematology, and immunohematology. They perform sophisticated chemical, biological, microscopic, and bacteriological tests using some of the most advanced equipment in healthcare. For example, medical laboratory scientists microscopically examine blood, make cultures of fluid or tissues the samples, use computers to verify and organize lab data, and analyze the samples for chemical content or reaction.

Medical Laboratory Scientists have the versatility to be employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, independent laboratories, clinics, physicians’ offices, local/state and government agencies, pharmaceutical and cosmetic firms, veterinary offices, and research institutions.

  • Employment rate in various healthcare laboratories in the tri-state area: 100%
  • Starting salary after degree completion by the Bureau of Labor Statistics: >$70,000

Application Requirements

Application to FDU

  • Applicants who are graduates from an accredited secondary school with a record indicating potential to succeed in college will be considered for admission.

Application to the Clinical Laboratory Experience at Rutgers

  • A clinical training program (such as this 15-month university-based program) is required of students who wish to qualify for the examination given by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) for the certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS-ASCP).
  • Rutgers is approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) to administer this program.
  • Six semesters of college work are required for admission to the clinical training program at Rutgers School of Health Professions.
  • The Rutgers Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Clinical Training Program website describes program highlights, admissions criteria, curriculum, and FAQs.  In addition, Zoom information sessions are offered periodically. 
  • It is recommended that students periodically review the GPA and course pre-requisites on the Rutgers website during the pre-professional years at FDU.
  • Students must apply in their 3rd year at FDU for the Rutgers Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Clinical Training Program. 
    • Applications will be reviewed as they are received after the application period opens on November 1. 
    • The first round of acceptance letters will be sent out in mid-December, before the application deadline of February 15.
    • It is recommended for applicants to apply when the application period opens due to the program’s competitiveness. 
    • The clinical training program begins in May, approximately three months after the application deadline.
  • Admission to the clinical training program is competitive.
  • Questions about applying to Rutgers? Please contact Rutgers Program Director Ruth Perez at ruth.perez@rutgers.edu.

  • Students who are not selected for a clinical training program may continue for a BS in Health Studies (or a BS in Science). Upon completion of the BS degree, students may again apply for the Rutgers clinical training program to earn a certificate which will allow qualification for the ASCP examination.

Curriculum

A minimum of 141 credits is required for graduation from this FDU Clinical Laboratory Science BS (University-Based Training Program) to become a Clinical/Medical Laboratory Scientist.  After completion of 3 years of study at FDU (minimum 96 credits, of which 43 are GenEd and 53 are courses in the major), the program is completed in 15 months at Rutgers University School of Health Professions (additional 45 credits). 

General Education Requirements (43 credits)

(UPDATED 2024 WITH NEW GEN-ED CURRICULUM)
  • Written & Oral Communication (9 credits) 
    • WRIT1002 Composition I: Rhetoric and Inquiry
    • WRIT1003 Composition II: Research and Argument
    • Oral Communication: Select from GenEd options
  • Information and Technological Literacy (3 credits) 
    • Select from GenEd options
  • Ethical Reasoning (3 credits) 
  • Global and Cultural Understanding (6 credits) 
  • Scientific and Quantitative Analysis (8 credits)
  • Social and Behavioral Analysis (6 credits)
    • Social Science: Select from GenEd options
    • Behavioral Science: Select from GenEd options
  • Inquiry in the Arts & Humanities (6 credits)
    • Creative & Expressive Arts: Select from GenEd options
    • Humanities: Select from GenEd options
  • University Core (2 credits)
    • UNIV1002 Preparing for Professional Life
    • UNIV2001 Cross-cultural Perspectives

 

Major Requirements (53 credits)

Rutgers (4th Year) Requirements (45 credits)

  • Courses are prescribed by Rutgers University.
  • During the clinical training, students may be asked to report to a laboratory site five days a week.

Other Considerations

FDU offers two four-year degree programs geared to qualifying for and passing the examination by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) for the certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS-ASCP). These are the Clinical Laboratory Sciences BS (this program) and the Medical Technology BS (see other FDU web page). The first three years of the Academic Program Plan for the two degrees are identical, and the courses can be taken at either NJ campus. The fourth year of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences BS is training at Rutgers University and its affiliates. The fourth year of the Medical Technology BS is a hospital-based internship at Valley Hospital (Bergen County), Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore Medical Center (Neptune City), Monmouth Medical Center (Long Branch), or at another approved hospital system. Both the clinical training program at Rutgers University and the hospital-based internship provides appropriate preparation for the ASCP certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Both are competitive admissions programs.

Clinical Laboratory Sciences BS (University Training Program) – The clinical training program at Rutgers School of Health Professions offers a more structured educational experience. Students generally have the opportunity to rotate through different hospitals and experience a range of practice settings. This program can provide a more comprehensive understanding of laboratory medicine and prepare the student for a wider range of career opportunities.

Medical Technology BS (Hospital Internship Program) – A hospital-based internship offers hands-on experience in a clinical laboratory setting, allowing skills and knowledge to develop under the guidance of working professionals. Students have the opportunity to rotate through different departments within the laboratory, gaining exposure to a variety of laboratory techniques and instrumentation. This experience can be particularly valuable if a student is interested in pursuing a career in a specific area of laboratory medicine. The hospital-based experience, with rotations to multiple departments within the single hospital system, and with many opportunities for hospital personnel to engage the student as a prospective employee, often leads the student to employment in that hospital. 

Geography may also play a role in your preference. Valley Hospital is in northern Bergen County. Rutgers School of Health Professions’ main campus is at Rutgers-Newark. The Allied Health faculty and staff at FDU will have at least anecdotal and sometimes statistical guidance about each of these options. 

Contact Information
Administrative Coordinator for Entry Level Programs
201-692-2889
snah-hs@fdu.edu