Clinical Laboratory Science & Medical Technology

What does a Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist do?

To become a Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist:

Cooperative 3-1 Program with St. Luke's Methodist Clinical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology Program (CLS/MT)
In cooperation with St. Luke's Methodist Hospital School of Medical Technology in Cedar Rapids, Iowa, Cornell offers a four-year program leading to a baccalaureate degree (B.A., B.S.S., B.Ph.) and to registration as a medical technologist. The first three years of this program are taken at Cornell, where candidates must complete twenty-four course or term credits with a cumulative grade point average of 2.5 or higher.

The minimum requirements are:

Analytical Chemistry (CHE 202) and statistics are recommended. The fourth year, a full calendar year (12 months), is spent at St. Luke's under the supervision of the staff pathologist.

The St. Luke's School of Medical Technology is approved by the Registry of Medical Technologists of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists, which is affiliated with the American Medical Association. Candidates completing the program are examined by the ASCP for registry and, if approved, may practice anywhere in the United States.

The curriculum of the School of Medical Technology consists of one hour of lecture and seven hours of practical experience per day in the following laboratory department: urinalysis, bacteriology, mycology, virology, parasitology, histology-cytology, chemistry, isotopes, hematology, coagulation, serology, blood bank, and laboratory management. Upon completion of these courses with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher, the candidate will be granted four course credits in biology and three course credits in chemistry.

University of Iowa Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program
The University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine offers a bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences through a partnership with the University of Nebraska Medical Center Clinical Laboratory Sciences program. The program provides patient-centered educational opportunities, with theoretical knowledge and practical experience in hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, endocrinology, biotechnology and research. Students can enroll in the program as the final year of a bachelor’s degree or as an additional year following receipt of a bachelor’s degree. Pre-requisites include:

Cooperative 2-2 Program in Medical Technology with Rush University
In cooperation with Rush University and Rush-Presbyterian-St. Luke's Medical Center in Chicago, Cornell offers a four or five year program leading to a baccalaureate degree from Cornell and to registration as a medical technologist. Students spend two or three years at Cornell in the liberal arts and then enter Rush Medical University for two years of professional training. The course requirements for medical technology are:

Suggested electives include BIO 315 (Genetics); CHE 334 (Biochemistry); and courses in sociology, psychology, physics, and English. Students must complete the course work with a grade point average of 2.0 or higher.

The Rush program is fully accredited; students completing the program are examined by the ASCP for registry.

During the two years at Rush the student integrates the theory of clinical medicine with the practice of clinical laboratory procedures, learning basic theory and skills in hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, and clinical micro-biology. As seniors at Rush, the students rotate through the laboratories of Presbyterian-St. Luke's Hospital and also take courses in management and instructional design.

For more information:

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
American Association for Clinical Chemistry
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)