College of Arts and Sciences
Rockhurst University offers the Bachelor of Science degree in clinical laboratory sciences in cooperation with St. Luke’s Hospital and North Kansas City Hospital. Formerly this program was called Medical Technology.
Prerequisite courses for admission to the clinical program, designed to meet the requirements established by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), include specific courses in chemistry, biological sciences and a minimum mathematics proficiency.
Upper-level professional course work is taken at one of the affiliated hospitals. Graduates of the program are eligible to challenge either of two nationally recognized certification examinations to become clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists. (Graduation is not, however, contingent upon passing any type of certifying examination.)
Undergraduate students interested in clinical laboratory sciences may apply directly to the program. Applications are obtained from the academic director on campus, or from the specific program of an affiliate.
Students may elect one of two routes of entry into the program. Students who are seeking a baccalaureate degree in clinical laboratory sciences from Rockhurst University must complete 98 semester hours and all non-clinical degree requirements before beginning the professional component at a hospital site. The professional component lasts approximately one calendar year. Upon successful completion of the clinical laboratory sciences course work, the student is awarded a Bachelor of Science degree in clinical laboratory sciences.
Students may choose to complete a degree with a major in chemistry, biology, or other related area, including the specific required courses for clinical laboratory sciences admission, and then apply directly to one of the affiliated hospitals for admission to clinical laboratory sciences as a non-degree student. Students considering this option should discuss the relative advantages with the academic director and the program director.
