Program Overview

Clinical Laboratory Sciences B.S.

The Clinical Laboratory Sciences program at the University of West Florida is designed to prepare students for a successful career in medical laboratory settings. As the only clinical laboratory sciences program in North Florida, hospitals across the Florida Panhandle and the South Alabama area rely on the university to help fill positions in this high-demand career.

Why Study Clinical Laboratory Sciences at UWF?

Studying clinical laboratory sciences at UWF sets students up for a successful career in a medical lab setting. Many students have job offers before they graduate. The program provides students with the knowledge and skills necessary to gather evidence and uncover clues needed to effectively diagnose and treat patients.

What You Will Learn

After completing foundational courses in biology and chemistry, students will learn the building blocks of laboratory science in both classroom and lab settings. The program covers topics such as:

• Hematology
• Diagnostic microbiology
• Clinical chemistry
• Blood banking Students will also strengthen essential workplace skills like teamwork, independence, multi-tasking, and communication.

Clinical Year

Students spend two semesters working at one of the university's 20+ hospital and laboratory affiliates throughout Florida and Alabama, gaining valuable real-world experience. The clinical year portion of the program is a specialized admissions program, and admission to UWF as a clinical laboratory sciences major does not guarantee acceptance.

National Board Exam

All graduates take the national board examination offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology to be credentialed as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Students will also be prepared to apply for a Florida state license. The clinical laboratory science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).

Careers & Outcomes

Upon graduation, certification, and licensure, students will be ready to work as medical laboratory scientists in a variety of healthcare settings, including:

• Microbiology
• Hematology
• Clinical chemistry
• Molecular diagnostics
• Transfusion services Graduates often start as laboratory technologists and progress to supervisory and management positions.

Laboratory Types

Graduates can work in various laboratory settings, including:

• Research labs
• Reference labs
• Public health labs
• Blood banks
• Forensics
• Physicians' offices

Featured Courses

The program includes a range of courses, such as:

MLS 4460 Diagnostic Microbiology I

This course focuses on the study of bacteria associated with infectious diseases, including microbial taxonomy, physiology, genetics, and host-parasite relationships as they apply to clinical microbiology.

MLS 4550 Immunohematology I

This course is an introduction to the basic principles and procedures of Blood Bank and Transfusion Medicine, covering topics such as blood group immunology and pre-transfusion testing.

MLS 4305 Hematology I

This course focuses on the production, maturation, and morphology of normal and abnormal human blood cells, discussing pathological changes in morphology, cytochemistry, and distribution of cells in peripheral blood and bone marrow.

MLS 4462 Medical Microbiology

This course covers the study of clinical parasitology, mycobacteriology, clinical virology, clinical mycology, and miscellaneous and emerging pathogens.

Related Programs

The university offers related programs, including:

• Dr. D.W. McMillan BSN Nursing Program - Traditional BSN
• Health Sciences B.S. Online - General
• Public Health B.S. Online
• Clinical Laboratory Sciences, B.S. Online - MLT to MLS