The Clinical Laboratory Science Program (CLS), formerly Medical Technology, is designed to prepare graduates to function as professional members of the health care team. Their services are utilized in hospitals, clinics, and private laboratories, as well as in business and industry. Clinical Laboratory Scientists perform a variety of immunological, biochemical, molecular, and microbiological procedures that aid in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Computerized databases, electronic charting, and sophisticated laboratory techniques such as flow cytometry, DNA, fingerprinting, PCR, and two-dimensional electrophoresis help ensure the accuracy and precision of their work. The University of Texas at El Paso's Clinical Laboratory Science Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119).

Marketable Skills

• Students will gain skills to perform diagnostic laboratory testing competently and ethically with the purpose contributing to the improvement of the population’s health and wellness.  
• Students will have the opportunity to gain the necessary knowledge and experience to qualify for national MLS certification examinations.
• Students will be able to demonstrate and apply their knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform, interpret, and report-out patient clinical laboratory test results as a clinical laboratory scientist.  
• Students will gain experience through professional development offered through the program and UTEP EDGE experiences.

Learning Outcomes

• Students will demonstrate entry-level medical laboratory science skills at or before the completion of didactic coursework prior to entering clinical rotations by achieving a minimum of 75% final grade on all classes.
• Second year professional phase students will demonstrate entry-level skills at or before completion of their preceptorship in all three NAACLS enforced learning domains in 4 major areas (microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology) and 3 minors (serology, body fluids, coagulation) CLS core competency areas by achieving a minimum of 75%final grade on all preceptorship classes.
• Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge, skills, and abilities to perform, interpret, and report-out patient clinical laboratory test results as a clinical laboratory scientist by utilizing their skills and knowledge in community-based health fair capstone projects.

Students completing core and pre-professional courses must apply for the professional phase of the program in the spring semester. The application and application deadlines can be found on the Clinical Laboratory Science department webpage. All prerequisite courses must be completed before entering the professional phase of the program in the fall semester. Students are not allowed to take other courses concurrently with upper division, professional-phase CLS courses.  Applicants must have a minimum CGPA of 2.5 and a 2.75 GPA in math and sciences and must pass a drug screen and background check. University and clinical faculty may interview all applicants.

A limited number of clinical sites are available; therefore, students are selected in the spring semester to enter the professional phase once a year beginning in the Summer semester. Depending on the number of clinical affiliates available in any one year, a student might be required to attend clinical preceptorships outside the El Paso area at the student’s expense.

Students must complete all lower-division course work prior to enrolling in the professional Clinical Laboratory Science courses. Before enrolling in the clinical practicum, all students must show evidence of professional liability insurance, health insurance, current CPR certification, a recent physical examination, and current immunizations (titers), including hepatitis and influenza vaccinations. Some clinical affiliates may require students to provide proof of immunizations/titers for varicella, hepatitis B, measles, rubella, and rubeola, and twp-step TB proof of medical insurance.  To engage in clinical practicums, which are crucial to the curriculum, CLS students must undergo and pass a background check and drug screening. In addition, some clinical practicums require finger printing.

A grade of C (75%) or higher must be earned in each CLS class. If a student earns less than a C (75%), the student must withdraw from the program and reapply the following year.

All students must perform within limits of safe practice. Students who are deemed unsafe by faculty will be dropped and will receive an F in the clinical course.  All work performed by students during the clinical practicum is under the direct supervision of clinical faculty and countersigned by them.

As a professional, the student must exhibit a commitment to the welfare of patients. The faculty in the program reserves the right to refuse the opportunity of a student to perform tests or procedures on patients if the student gives evidence of unsafe and/or ineffective laboratory techniques.

Students graduating from The University of Texas at El Paso are eligible to take the national certification exam from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (BOC). Students passing the exam can use the initials MLS after their names.

4-Year Sample Degree Plan

BS Clinical Laboratory Science (Starting with Pre-Calculus)

BS Clinical Laboratory Science (Starting with Calculus)