Welcome to Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Clinical Laboratory Scientists, also known as medical laboratory scientists and medical technologists, are credentialed health professionals who are a vital part of the health care team.                        

Clinical laboratory scientists perform laboratory tests to diagnose and treat disease and maintain health. In hospital settings, they analyze blood, tissues, and body fluids to detect disease. They work with sophisticated computerized equipment such as automated chemistry and hematology analyzers, GLC-Mass spectrophotometers, and thermal cyclers for molecular testing. Clinical laboratory scientists develop and evaluate new procedures, maintain quality assurance, educate health care professionals, and manage the laboratory.

Program Outcomes:

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) advises the accredited programs to openly communicate to the public the following outcome measures:

1. Graduate Certification Pass Rates: the annual Augusta University CLS program graduates’ first time MLS(ASCP) exam pass rate reported by the Board of Certification for 2014 was 85%. The first time pass rate reported for Augusta University CLS class of May 2015 was 91%.
2. Program’s Graduation and Attrition Rates: The 2012-2015 Average Graduation Rate defined as the percentage of students beginning the final half of the program (starting with 3^rd semester) who subsequently successfully graduated was 100%.
3. Program’s Graduate Placement Rates: Between July 1, 2012 and June 30, 2015, 82% of Augusta University CLS graduates reported working in the medical laboratory field. Our graduates are working in Georgia, as well as out of state (California, Colorado, New York, Oregon and Tennessee). 18% chose not to communicate their employment information.

Job Outlook

Job opportunities for clinical laboratory scientists are excellent, with more openings than available job seekers. Employment is expected to grow at a faster than average rate. (United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook)
"I would do it all again. I am so thankful I applied to the MHS-CLS program and for our professors who believe in us and work with us to make sure we understand the information not just for the certification exam, but also for our future career."

Lacey Campbell (center), Class of 2013