Academics


Bachelor's in Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Join a bachelor’s in clinical laboratory science program with a 96% graduation rate, a 100% job placement rate and a 97% pass rate on the ASCP exam.

Bachelor’s in Clinical Laboratory Science Degree Overview

Do you enjoy biology and chemistry laboratory courses and science in general? Do you like puzzles and problem-solving? Would you like to be involved in healthcare and patient service? If so, the clinical laboratory science profession is ideal for you. The clinical laboratory science program at the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is the first step you can take to becoming a professional clinical laboratory scientist diagnosing patients and treating illnesses.

Clinical laboratory scientists are a vital part of healthcare teams, performing 14 billion tests in more than 200,000 clinical laboratories in the United States each year. They are essential for patient sample testing and the diagnosis of diseases, as 70% of all medical decisions involve lab tests. These individuals can work in various settings such as a hospital; clinical chemistry, hematology, or clinical microbiology laboratory; in the biopharmaceutical industry; or at public health agencies.

As a clinical laboratory science major at ACPHS, you’ll take basic science and clinical science classes in addition to completing a clinical practicum experience, allowing you to obtain your bachelor of science degree and the profession’s certification to gain employment in the field. 

During your first two years as a clinical laboratory science major, you’ll gain a thorough grounding in basic science along with a broad exposure to the world through coursework in the humanities and social sciences. 

Your third year in the program is considered your first professional year. You’ll get hands-on lab experience that will prepare you for your fourth and final year — in which you’ll experience clinical practicums in hospitals and clinics.

When you graduate, you’ll be prepared to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification exam and enter one of the most exciting and important career fields in the world, earning a great salary.

Close up of student holding a beaker filled with blue liquid
What Is Clinical Laboratory Science?
Clinical laboratory scientists (also known as medical laboratory scientists) are healthcare detectives who work in settings such as hospitals, clinics, reference laboratories and physician office labs. They are on the frontlines of medicine, providing doctors with the necessary information to save lives by carefully performing complex lab procedures and ensuring the accuracy of test results.

In your career as a clinical laboratory scientist, you’ll play a critical role in diagnosing and treating life-threatening conditions like leukemia, heart disease, diabetes and genetic diseases. As a clinical laboratory science major, you’ll prepare for the role by performing tests on body fluids and other human samples using state-of-the-art classroom equipment.
A student examines test tube during lab
Experiential Learning in the Bachelor’s in Clinical Laboratory Science Program
As a clinical laboratory science major at ACPHS, you’ll develop as a professional through experience in clinical rotations during your final year of study.

You’ll participate in one rotation each semester under the mentorship of a licensed practitioner (referred to as a preceptor). You’ll not only get to apply what you learn in class to a real-world setting, but also make valuable connections with professionals in the field, which can lead to career opportunities after graduation. Clinical rotation sites include:

• Albany Medical Center Hospital
• Albany Stratton VA Medical Center
• Community Care Physicians' laboratory
• Ellis Hospital
• Glens Falls Hospital
• Nathan Littauer Hospital
• Saratoga Hospital
• St. Mary’s Hospital (Amsterdam, NY)
• St. Peter’s Health Partners
A close up shot of microscope
Careers with a Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science
There are an estimated 14 billion diagnostic tests performed in 260,000 clinical laboratories each year in the United States. Every one of these tests requires a skilled clinical laboratory scientist to perform the tests and then analyze the results. Factors ranging from expanded health care coverage to the development of new laboratory tests mean that there’s an unprecedented need for clinical laboratory scientists throughout the country.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment for clinical laboratory scientists is expected to grow by 11% percent from 2020 to 2030, significantly higher than the average growth rate for other occupations. The average clinical laboratory scientist salary is $75,474, according to Salary.com.

Recent clinical laboratory science majors have gone on to work in facilities and organizations including:

• Albany Medical Center
• CNY Fertility Center (Syracuse, NY)
• Ellis Hospital
• Glens Falls Hospital
• St. Elizabeth Medical Center (Utica, NY)
• St. Peter's Health Partners
• Saratoga Hospital
A student loading sample in the benchtop centrifuge
Bachelor’s in Clinical Laboratory Science Degree Coursework
The Bachelor's of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science is a 129-credit, four-year program that prepares you to pass the national certification exam administered by the ASCP to become a certified clinical laboratory scientist.

As a clinical laboratory science major at ACPHS, you’ll take courses covering a diverse range of topics, including human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry and genetics — in addition to your liberal arts foundation in the humanities and social sciences.

In your third year, you will dive into the specialized study of clinical laboratory science, with courses on clinical hematology, urinalysis and body fluids, clinical chemistry and immunology. Each of these classes will include a lab portion that gives you hands-on practice with the sophisticated tools and computers you’ll use throughout your professional life.
Outcome 2021 2022 2023 Three-Year Average
Certification Rate 100 100 90 97%
Graduation Rate 89 100 100 96%
Employment Rate 100 100 100 100%

The Medical Laboratory Science Program at Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences is awarded Continuing Accreditation of ten (10) years.
Program Director: Dr. Michelle Parent M.S., Ph.D., MLS(ASCP)CM 518-694-7314

Next Submissions for Program Review - Year 5 Interim Report: October 1, 2023, Self-Study: October 1, 2028
End Accreditation Date - October 31, 2029