Clinical Laboratory Science

Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) deals with the testing of body fluids for the diagnosis of disease and identification of pathogens. Graduates who obtain this bachelor’s degree are eligible to become licensed in New York State as clinical laboratory technologists. In contrast, graduates of community college programs offering associates degrees in this field can become licensed as Clinical Laboratory Technicians.

Students can declare their major as early as their freshman year. It is advised that students considering the CLS program contact the Program Director as early as possible to plan their course of study.

You can declare CLS as your major on your admission application.

You can apply directly to the second degree CLS program if you have all the required pre-requisites which are:

• General Biology with lab – 8 credits
• General Chemistry with lab – 8 credits
• Organic Chemistry I and II with lab – 8 credits
• Biochemistry with lab – 4 credits
• Microbiology with lab – 4 credits
• Human Physiology with lab – 4 credits
• Immunology – 3 credits
• Molecular Biology with lab -4 credits
• Statistics - 3 credits

Once you have all the required pre-requisites and are accepted to the program, you can complete the program in 12 months (3 semesters)

You can apply for the traditional CLS program. Transfer students will receive credit in transfer upon matriculation at Mercy College. Credit is usually transferable for all courses the applicant obtained a grade of “C” or higher. The program director or designee will determine if clinical courses are transferable to the program at Mercy College

This program has been designed for the part-time or full-time student. The program is designed to be flexible enough to accommodate working adults and many students attend part-time. Mercy College campus-based courses are scheduled for a combination of evenings, days, and/or weekends and can be completed on a part-time basis. However, the clinical internship requires a full-time commitment and cannot be combined with a full-time job.

No! Because of the rigor of the program a combination of general education courses and major-level courses is recommended. Students should contact the Program Coordinator as early as possible to plan their course of study.

Click on "Apply Online" and complete the application for admission to Mercy College, or call 1-877-MERCY GO to arrange for an appointment with an Admissions Counselor. If you bring your completed application form and copies of your high school and/or college transcripts with you at the time of your appointment, the Admissions Counselor will evaluate your transcripts and make an acceptance decision. In addition, you may be required to take the Mercy College Placement Examination, which is used to place students in appropriate-level mathematics and English courses. If applicable, an appointment to take this exam will be scheduled at the time of your interview. Once you have met with an Admissions Counselor and taken the Placement Examination, you will meet with an Academic Advisor to plan a course schedule for your first semester at Mercy College.

We offer a flexible schedule that helps meet the demands of students working full time. Our small class size facilitates a close relationship among the students and between students and faculty.

The curriculum is academically rigorous and scientifically oriented. It is especially designed for the motivated learner who can successfully pursue an intense educational experience. The program combines strengths in biology, chemistry and the biomedical sciences. Integration of several disciplines is key to success in the program.

Yes, faculty are always ready to help students with questions about what courses to take, the sequencing of courses, and career opportunities, including internships and cooperative education.

If you plan to pursue graduate education, the program will prepare you for both master's and doctorate level work. Depending on the area of emphasis of the graduate program you choose, additional courses in biochemistry or physics may be required.

Being a CLS can be a great first degree if interested in pursuing a graduate degree in medicine or as a Physician Assistant. You will have first-hand knowledge of laboratory testing, why it is performed and how to interpret the results. The clinical background can be helpful to you in medical and PA school.

Full-time students can complete the 129-credit degree program in four years.

Students who are second degree applicants and have all the required pre-requisites can complete the program in 12 months (3 semesters).

General Education Requirements: 60 Credits
Natural Science: 27 Credits
Clinical Laboratory Science: 42 Credits

Total: 129 Credits

Progression to the clinical internship year is conditional upon college performance and space availability. Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 overall and a C or higher in all Clinical Laboratory Science courses to be eligible for a clinical rotation.

For a full curriculum listing visit our catalog.

• Small class size and flexible scheduling
• Full time program in clinical year
• Abundant graduate school opportunities

The first three years of the program consists of courses that prepare the  students for the fourth and final clinical internship year.  The fourth year of the CLS program consists of a combination of clinical courses on campus and full-day hospital based clinical rotations.

The Clinical Internships will consist of a minimum of thirty hours per week for 24-30 weeks of laboratory instruction during the twelve-month clinical period.

Students who have a completed Bachelor of Science degree in a biological or chemical science who want to pursue a clinical laboratory career can be admitted directly to the clinical year of the program provided they have the required pre-requisite courses. These students are able to complete the program in 12 months (3 semesters). 

• Bon Secours Charity Health System
• Bronx Lebanon Hospital Center
• Garnet Health System
• Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
• Montefiore Health System
• Montefiore Nyack Hospital
• Montefiore St. Luke's Cornwall Hospital
• New York Presbyterian Health System
• Northwell Health, Inc.
• NYC Health & Hospital/Jacobi
• NYC Health & Hospital/Lincoln
• St. John's Riverside Hospital
• St. Joseph’s Medical Center, NJ
• Saint Joseph's Medical Center
• Westchester Medical Center
• White Plains Hospital

The Clinical Laboratory Science Program is accredited by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). NAACLS contact information is: NAACLS, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119. Phone number is: (773) 714-8880 x 382 and fax number is (773) 714-8886. NAACLS's website is www.naacls.org.

Clinical Laboratory Technology is a licensed profession in New York State and Mercy College's program in Clinical Laboratory Science is registered with the New York State Education Department as a licensure-qualifying program. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification administers certifying examinations and awards certification. Graduates who intend to work in New York State must file an application for licensure with the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions to begin the application process. 

• Master the requisite core concepts and competencies necessary to achieve entry-level proficiency in clinical laboratory science
• Comprehend, analyze, and synthesize and/or clinical information to guide clinical, professional and scientific decision-making
• Perform diagnostic laboratory analysis in accordance withe established laboratory procedures while collaborating with all members of the healthcare team
• Enter the workforce and employ professional and ethical conduct while working in a clinical setting
• Demonstrate a commitment to the development of the medical laboratory profession and the significance of continuing professional development.

At the completion of all graduation requirements, students will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification administers certifying examinations and awards certification. Clinical Laboratory Technology is a licensed profession in New York State and Mercy College's program in Clinical Laboratory Science is registered with the New York State Education Department as a licensure-qualifying program. Graduates who intend to work in New York must file an application for licensure with the New York State Education Department Office of the Professions to begin the application process. Although licensure requirements include passing the ASCP Board of Certification examination, granting of the Bachelor of Science degree is not contingent upon passing the ASCP Board of Certification examination.

The Clinical Laboratory Science program leads to a professional license administered by each state. Applicants and potential students should review information available on the College's NC-SARA page. We advise you to contact your state licensing board or appropriate licensing entity to determine whether the program meets requirements for Professional Licensure in the state where you are located or the state in which you intend to pursue licensure. Please contact the CLSC Program Director if you have further questions.

Click to read the full article

Clinical Laboratory Science Student Handbook

CLS Final Year Application Form

CLS Final Year Recommendation Form

The Clinical Laboratory Science Program is committed to meeting its mission as it relates to serving our students, potential students, staff, faculty, adjunct faculty, clinical faculty and the public consumer of physical therapy. To that end, we are committed to ensuring that exceptional complaints for which there is no established College, School or program policy or procedure are considered and resolved in a timely, fair, consistent and equitable manner.  Additional information may be found in the College undergraduate catalog.

Procedure:  Complaints should be addressed to the Program Director through the online form. If the program director is the subject of the complaint, the complaint should be addressed to the Dean, School of Health and Natural Science.

Download a copy of the sequence map for:

• 2022-2023 B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science
• 2022-2023 B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science for 2nd degree students

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• 2021-2022 B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science
• 2020 - 2021 B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science 
• 2019 - 2020 B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science 
• 2018 - 2019 B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Science