Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Contact Information

Address: 3515 West Science

Phone: 906-227-2885

Fax: 906-227-1309

Department Email: cls@nmu.edu

Clinical Laboratory Sciences at NMU

The Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department has a strong commitment to the career ladder approach to higher education. All programs and degrees are designed to be transferable to higher-level degrees. All programs are based heavily in the sciences with an application to clinical pathology. Depending on program selection, graduates find employment in hospital laboratories, clinics, industry, microbiology, biotechnology, forensics and research.

The clinical laboratory science field is made up of professionals who rely on their knowledge of basic science and laboratory skills to assume a variety of responsibilities in various laboratory and clinical settings. Graduates of the clinical laboratory sciences curricula must possess appropriate knowledge, skills and attributes to become competent practitioners who are readily adaptable to changing technologies. Advancement opportunities exist for the graduate as specialists, directors, managers and consultants with experience and/or further education.

The clinical laboratory sciences curriculum includes 14 programs. Bachelor degrees include clinical laboratory scientist, clinical laboratory scientist/clinical microbiology concentration, clinical systems analyst, cytotechnology, diagnostic genetics, histotechnologist and science technologist. Associate in applied science degrees include clinical laboratory technician, histotechnician, radiography, respiratory therapy, science technician and surgical technology. A clinical assistant certificate program is offered. The department also has a minor program in clinical laboratory techniques.

The university maintains CLS affiliations with a variety of hospitals in Michigan, Wisconsin and Minnesota. A list of the affiliations is available on the department’s Web site.

Accreditation

The clinical laboratory scientist, clinical laboratory technician, diagnostic genetics, histotechnology, clinical assistant and histotechnician programs are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The cytotechnology program is accredited by the American Society of Cytology (ASC). The surgical technology program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Program (CAAHEP). The radiography program is accredited by the Joint Review Committee on Education in Radiologic Technology.

Program Admission Policies

Radiography and Respiratory Therapy Admissions

Admission criteria into the clinical phase of the program require an overall minimum GPA of 2.5 as well as additional criteria for grades in specified courses. The details of admission requirements are found in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Policy Manual and with the application, which can be obtained in the CLS Department office. Applications will be distributed during the first introductory course RAD 106 and RSP 106, respectively.

Students will be notified of their acceptance into the clinical sequence one full semester before placement.

Admission to the Surgical Technology Clinical Program

Admission to the surgical technology clinical sequence of courses is limited. The admissions committee reserves the right to select students to be admitted. The admission criteria is listed below (not all students who meet the minimum standards will be admitted if space is not available). Students:

1. Must have a grade of "C" or better in all ST and CLS courses.

2. Must have a grade of "C" or better in BI 201 and BI 202.

3. Must have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00.

4. Must have a minimum grade point average in the major of 2.00.

5. Must have a satisfactory assessment of student performance in the ST laboratories.

Students may repeat a surgical technology course only once.

Surgical Technology Readmission Criteria

Surgical technology courses are sequential, and there is limited space in some courses. When a student wishes to be readmitted into the surgical technology sequence of courses after having a withdrawal or failure in a previously enrolled course, the student must update the application to represent the new timeline for placement. Students who have failed any surgical technology courses more than once are ineligible for readmission.

Transfer Credit Based On Professional Certification

Transfer Credit Based on Professional Certification

Applicants who have completed a radiography, respiratory therapy or surgical technology program but have not received an associate degree in radiography, respiratory therapy, or surgical technology respectively, may apply for transfer credit for the associate degree in the appropriate program pending the following:

1. Applicants must hold national certification as a radiographer or respiratory therapist or surgical technologist. Proof of certification must be submitted to the Clinical Laboratory Sciences department.

2. Transcripts from regionally accredited institutions must be sent to the Admissions Office.

3. Transfer credit for the professional courses will be awarded as stipulated in the policy manual of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department. If it is determined that there is not appropriate certification, then transfer credit will be removed from the transcript.

4. Students are eligible for up to 16 credits of advance placement credit as well, if it applies.

Program Retention Policies

Clinical Systems Analyst, Cytotechnology, Histotechnologist, Histotechnician, Science Technologist and Technician, Clinical Laboratory Technician, Clinical Assistant or Clinical Laboratory Techniques Minor

Students in these majors and minor must maintain a 2.00 grade point average in the major/minor and an NMU cumulative grade point average of 2.00. Students must receive no less than a “C-” in any CLS course for the clinical laboratory technician and clinical assistant program.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist and Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Microbiology

A student must maintain an NMU cumulative grade point average of 2.60 and a 2.50 grade point average in the major. Students must receive no less than a “C-” in any CLS course.

Diagnostic Genetics

A student must have an NMU cumulative grade point average of 2.60, a grade point average of 2.60 in the major, meet specific course grade requirements, and receive no less than a “C” in any course in the major..

Retention in the Surgical Technology Sequence

To remain in the surgical technology sequence, a student must meet the following conditions:

Maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.00 in all surgical technology courses with no course below a "C" and maintain a cumulative NMU grade point average of 2.50.
Adhere to the university's Student Code and Surgical Technology Student Policies.
Demonstrate a pattern of safe clinical practice commensurate with educational experience to date.

Additional Policies

For further information on policies, essential functions, application procedures, specific affiliation sites, hospital placement eligibility, costs, certification requirements, and job markets, see the CLS Policy Manual (available at the Northern Michigan University Bookstore) or the Surgical Technology Student Handbook (available in the Surgical Technology office).

The Clinical Laboratory Sciences Department reserves the right to withdraw any student whose health, conduct, scholastic standing or clinical practice is such that it is inadvisable for the student to remain in the department. In any of the programs offered by this department, clinical placement for training cannot be guaranteed. In addition to the academic placement policies, students must be recommended by the departmental faculty. Any negative recommendations may override an otherwise acceptable record.

Students majoring in department programs may be required to have certain immunizations. Further information is available in the department office.

Students in baccalaureate degree programs may apply up to six combined credits of cosmetology (COS) and practical nursing (PN) courses toward graduation unless otherwise prohibited.

Students in associate degree programs may apply three credits of cosmetology (COS) and practical nursing (PN) courses combined toward graduation, and those in certificate programs other than cosmetology and practical nursing may apply two credits of these courses combined toward graduation unless otherwise prohibited.

Program Graduation Information and Requirements

Based on the chosen major, upon graduation, students are qualified to take a national certification exam in either cytotechnology, histotechnology, histotechnician, CLT or phlebotomy. Additional special criteria and policies for internships are further described in the CLS Policy Manual.

Clinical Laboratory Scientist and Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Microbiology

In order to be granted a bachelor’s degree as a clinical laboratory scientist, a student must maintain an NMU cumulative grade point average of 2.60 and a 2.50 grade point average in the major. Students must receive no less than a “C-” in any CLS course. Students are eligible to take national certification examinations for clinical laboratory scientist or the microbiology categorical exam upon program completion. Criteria for placement into the practicum can be found under the appropriate course descriptions.

Diagnostic Genetics

In order to be granted a bachelor’s degree in diagnostic genetics, a student must have an NMU cumulative grade point average of 2.60, a grade point average of 2.60 in the major, meet specific course grade requirements, and receive no less than a “C” in any course in the major. Students are then qualified to take the national certification exams for cytogenetic and molecular biology. Criteria for placement into the practicum includes a minimum 2.80 GPA in the major. Other requirements can be found under the appropriate course descriptions.