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Career Information
Clinical laboratory scientists (medical technologists) perform laboratory tests used to diagnose and treat disease and maintain health. Clinical laboratory scientists work in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, urinalysis and molecular diagnostics. They ensure accurate and reliable test results. In hospital clinical laboratories, laboratory scientists analyze blood, body fluids and tissues to detect disease. They work with sophisticated computerized technology such as automated chemistry and hematology analyzers, GLC-Mass spectrophotometers and molecular testing such as PCR and DNA probes. Clinical Laboratory Scientists also develop and evaluate new test procedures, maintain quality assurance programs, educate laboratory professionals and manage laboratories. Clinical laboratory scientists are sought in clinical areas, research and industry.
Skills and Interests Suited to a Career in Clinical Laboratory Science
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Accuracy, dependability, communication skills, adherence to deadlines, responsibility, manual dexterity and good interpersonal skills are essential.
Clinical laboratory scientists are employed in general hospital laboratories, physicians’ offices, private laboratories, mission fields, armed forces, Peace Corps, Project HOPE, public health, medical research programs, pharmaceutical laboratories, blood banks, forensic laboratories, bioterrorism response and industry.
Career interests include research, quality improvement and process control, clinical specialties, computer analysis, forensic science, education and management.
Graduates may advance to supervisory or specialist positions, depending on capability, experience and/or additional education. Opportunities are available for graduate education in biochemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, education, management and specialist categories.
Beginning salaries for graduates with baccalaureate degrees average $40,000 in clinical areas and $55,000 in industry, depending on location and job responsibilities. Experienced technologists who become laboratory managers in large hospitals may earn $90,000 or more.
MCG grants a bachelor of science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology). The program is a transfer degree meaning the student completes the first two years of courses at any accredited college or university and the last four semesters at MCG. Students begin the MCG program fall semester of their junior year. Both on-campus and internet students have four semesters of classroom, laboratory and internships through clinical affiliates.
For the internet students, laboratories are conducted at a satellite campus in Atlanta or at the clinical affiliates. The clinical internships are conducted at affiliated clinical sites. Internet students are encouraged to identify possible internship sites convenient to them. The program of Clinical Laboratory Science will contact these sites to explore a clinical affiliation. The program requires computer capability and Internet connectivity.
The program is also offered to certified MLT’s or CLT’s. After completing academic and professional requirements, the following upper-division courses will be credited by proof of previous professional certification as a M.L.T. (A.S.C.P.) and/or C.L.T. (N.C.A.):
CLSC 3220 Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Science Practice (2)
CLSC 3645 Biochemistry and Cell Biology Laboratory (2)
CLSC 4445 Clinical Microbiology Laboratory (2)
CLSC 4845 Clinical Hematology Laboratory (2)
CLSC 4745 Clinical Immunohematology Laboratory (2)
Total credit: 10 semester hours
- Application Deadline: June 1, Fall entry
Applications and supporting materials received after the program deadline will be considered on a space-available basis only.
- Official transcripts: Official transcripts are required from all colleges ever attended. Transcripts should be mailed to MCG’s OAA directly from the Registrar’s office of the institution. Applicants may also deliver or mail official transcripts to MCG’s OAA if the transcript remains in the original, unopened, sealed and stamped/signed envelope from the Registrar’s office at the institution.
- Transcript/credential evaluation of foreign transcripts: Transcripts from foreign countries must be evaluated by a professional evaluation agency prior to application (see http://www.mcg.edu/admissions/instud.html).
- 2 Letters of recommendation: A letter of recommendation must be submitted from each referee (see reference form from OAA). Referees should be individuals qualified to assess applicants’ prior academic, work, research and/or clinical experience as applicable.
- GPA requirement: A grade point average of at least 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) and a minimum math/science GPA of 2.5 is required on all previous college work.
- Program Prerequisites: Prior to enrollment, the applicant must have completed a core curriculum of 60 semester hours at an accredited college or university.
- Documented Observation: A minimum of 8 hours of documented observation (documentation on official letterhead from institution where observation took place) of clinical laboratory scientists in a clinical laboratory.
- TOEFL exam scores: Minimum score of 550 paper-based, 213 computer based.
- Personal Interview (includes writing sample)
* Applications deferred to the next year are subject to all admission requirements in effect for the semester to which they are deferred.
Technical Standards/Essential Functions
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In addition to demonstrating personal characteristics appropriate for a health professions career, students must satisfy essential functions. Visit http://www.mcg.edu/sah/brt/cls/standards.html to review these requirements.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science
5600 N River Road
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
MCG participates in all federal student aid programs as well as state and private programs. MCG helps students fund their education through grants, scholarships, loans, a service commitment program and/or employment.
For best chance of acceptance, apply the fall preceding the fall in which admission is sought. All application materials should be in MCG’s Office of Academic Admissions by June 1st. Applications completed after this date are considered on a space-available basis. Complete applications include the application, references, official academic materials, documentation of shadowing hours and documentation of professional certifications, if applicable. Documentation of current CPR and First Aid certification is required.
Apply online at www.mcg.edu/Admissions, or contact: Office of Academic Admissions 170 Kelly Building–Administration Medical College of Georgia Augusta, Georgia 30912 Telephone: 706-721-2725 800-519-3388 E-mail: underamd@mcg.edu
The Medical College of Georgia is an Equal Opportunity Educational Institution.
Courses to Take the First Two Years
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The courses required to graduate from MCG comprise a core curriculum divided into six categories (A-F). Options for completing these prerequisites for transfer to MCG:
| A. Essential Skills |
9 semester hours |
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| English Composition I |
3 hours |
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| English Composition II |
3 hours |
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| (literature-based) |
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College Algebra, Mathematical Modeling,
Trigonometry, Pre-calculus or Calculus |
3 hours |
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B. Institutional Options**
Choose from any below
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4-5 semester hours |
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Introduction to Computers
Critical Thinking
Creative Writing
Ethics
Health and Wellness
Statistics
Economics
Speech
Medical Terminology
Any approved guided elective from Area F |
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C. Humanities and Fine Arts**
Choose from any below
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6 semester hours |
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Ethics
Foreign Language
Speech, Oral Communications
Literature
Philosophy
Drama, Art or Music Appreciation
Logic
Electives in Humanities and Fine Arts
Religion |
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| D. Science, Mathematics and Technology |
10-11 semester hours |
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| One eight-hour sequence in chemistry (to include labs) for science majors. One additional course in science, mathematics or technology. |
E. Social Science**
Choose from any below
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12 semester hours |
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U.S. History
U.S. Government
Other History
Economics
Psychology
Sociology
Anthropology
Racial and Ethnic Minority Groups
Lower-division electives in Psychology and Sociology |
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| F. Required Courses Appropriate to the Major |
18 semester hours |
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| Biology w/lab*. |
4 hours |
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| Organic Chemistry w/lab* |
4 hours |
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| Anatomy & Physiology |
3 hours |
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| Guided electives |
7 hours |
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| Choose from these optional courses for the 7 hours of Guided Electives for Area F: |
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Biochemistry
Cell Biology
Molecular Biology
Genetics
Microbiology
Immunology
Physics
Physical Science
Courses in science or mathematics |
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* If this is taken in another area of the core, the hours would be taken in additional guided electives.
** If a student planning to transfer to MCG from another school in the University System of Georgia has completed this area with courses taken there or at another institution from which MCG accepts transfer credit, MCG will accept the area as satisfied. A student planning to transfer from a school not in the University System of Georgia should choose from the list of courses.
***Pending University System of Georgia Board of Regents approval of the BS-CLS (new updated BSMT curriculum), additional prerequisites may be required. Contact department for additional requirements.
+ If a physics sequence is taken in Area D, take an eight-hour chemistry sequence in Area F.
Estimated Tuition and Fees
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For estimated tuition and fees, please see the Tuition and Fees section of this catalog.
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