Program Number: 5200
Chair Mary El-Semarani
Program Director Yanxia Liu, Ph.D. (ASCP)
Program Advisor Deborah Robinson
The Bachelor of Applied Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences adheres to the State of Florida common course prerequisites and curriculum frameworks. All BAS degree seeking students are required to complete the same basic requirements as traditional baccalaureate students, including 36 hours of General Education, and demonstration of foreign language competence. The entrance requirements for this program require students choose specific courses in biological sciences (16 credit hours), chemistry (16 credit hours), and mathematics within their lower division coursework to finish the degree in an appropriate timeframe. Therefore, students are strongly advised to consult with an advisor as early as possible to plan their progress through this degree program.
Baccalaureate students will enroll in courses full-time and will complete a clinical internship in the five specialty license areas in their final year at affiliated laboratories. Part time students will be allowed to take courses if space is available. The clinical affiliate internships will only be offered on a full-time basis after completion of all didactic coursework and serve as an evaluation point at which the students must demonstrate mastery of the program’s learning outcomes. To ensure equity across sites, the SF Clinical Director works closely with all affiliate institutions to ensure that students gain proficiency in the skills needed to enter the Clinical Laboratory workforce.
If starting as a freshman, the suggested course sequence for this program schedules a full load of classes each semester including summers over four years for a total of 125 semester credit hours. If starting as a junior with the required prerequisites, the suggested sequence of courses takes two years including summers to complete. Students from other colleges and universities requesting to enter the upper division portion of the program must document comparable prerequisite course work before admission to the program.
Upon completion of all program requirements, students will graduate with a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) accredited Bachelor of Applied Sciences degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Note: This degree is not contingent on passing any external exams or licensures. Graduates are then eligible for certification as a medical technologist by the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) and American Medical Technologist (AMT) at which point they may apply for licensure in the state of Florida. This program is currently accredited with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). 5600 N. River Road Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 (347) 939-3597 or (773) 714-8880.
Professional Association links:
Application Process
Students must complete a Santa Fe College application for admission and a Clinical Laboratory Science Program application for admission. Students must arrange for transcripts to be sent to the institution from all colleges and universities attended prior to the start of the term in which CLS program admission is sought.
Santa Fe College is part of the Florida College System and is an open access institution.
Acceptance Criteria
In order to qualify for admission to the Bachelor of Applied Sciences in Clinical Laboratory Science, students must:
- Be able to perform the following essential functions:
- Ability to use oral and written communication effectively in the English language and to read, understand and follow directions both written and oral.
- Display manual dexterity required to perform laboratory tasks, e.g., operation of various instruments, performance of phlebotomy and pipetting procedures, and manual entry of data into computers.
- Demonstrate microscopic and macroscopic visual acuity required to perform all technical activities requiring visual skills.
- Have a 2.5 overall GPA in previous coursework.
- Have earned a minimum of an Associate in Science or Associate in Arts degree from a regionally accredited educational institution or 60 credit hours*.
- Have successfully completed the following common program prerequisite courses (or appropriate substitutions) with a grade of C or higher:
*Applicants that have not completed an associate degree may need to complete general education requirements before graduation.
Health-Related Sciences and Terminology
The BAS in Clinical Laboratory Science is a degree program which focuses on disciplines pertinent to the laboratory departments of health care systems and organizations. While not required for admission, the following health-related sciences and terminology courses may be beneficial:
- HSC 1000 - Introduction to Health Care Credit Hours: 3.0
- HSC 2531 - Medical Terminology Credit Hours: 3.0
Foreign Language Competency and General Education
Individuals who have not completed their foreign language prior to enrolling at SF (can be high school or college level) must complete two semesters of college-level sequential foreign language study before finishing the BAS program. Students may select their General Education classes from any eligible courses within SF’s approved General Education package, but students should choose classes which also will satisfy the Common Program Course Prerequisites.
Program Internships and Exit Requirements
- An FDLE background check, drug screen, health assessment with documented vaccination or titer report signed by a physician, and Board of Clinical Lab Personnel trainee license are required to participate in clinical internships.
- Students will complete 5 internship courses as part of the requirements for the BAS program. These courses will include on campus attendance as well as placement at an internship site approved by the program administration.
- The BAS degree in Clinical Laboratory Science will be awarded upon satisfactory completion of the College’s curriculum totaling 120 credit hours.
- A minimum 2.5 overall GPA is required for clinical assignments, and students must earn a grade of “C’ (2.0) or higher in required courses with a minimum 2.0 program of study GPA for graduation.
Overview of Credits Required for B.A.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science
General Education Program 36 credit hours (A.S. grads may need up to 18 hours)
Biotechnology Core (lower division) 6 credit hours (A.A. may need these courses)
Clinical Lab Science Core (upper division) 58 credit hours
Additional Prerequisite Courses 20 credit hours
Total required credit hours for program: 120 credit hours