BS in Clinical Laboratory Science

Program Selective Admission:

The submitted application packet is to consist of a completed CLS program application in Slate, two completed reference forms (requested in Slate, one from a personal, non-relative reference, and one from a professional or instructional reference), and college/university transcripts of all college work attempted. Applications are not reviewed on a first come/first served basis.

Deadline

Application materials must be received by April 15 for consideration for fall semester admission. Notification of official admission into the CLS Program will be emailed via Slate by May 15.

Application and Selection Process 

The minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for admission is 2.50. 

Factors considered in the application process include the following:

• Cumulative grade point average:
  • Worth up to 56 points of possible 156 points.
• Support course grades: worth up to 72 points of 156 possible points.
  
  • Support courses include General Chemistry I & II, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology for Nursing & Health Professions, Principles of Clinical Laboratory Science
  • Grade of A = 6 points, B = 5 points, C = 4 points, and D = 2 points for each support course
• Proficiency in a second language, spoken and written, confirmed through the A-State World Languages Department:
  • Worth up to 10 points of possible 156 points for BS in CLS application.
• Two references provided by the applicant evaluated according to a standardized rubric: 
  • Worth up to 18 points of possible 156 points.
• Applications received after April 15^th will not be accepted.
• Completion of or current enrollment in
  • CLS 1511 & CLS 1512, Basic Principles of CLS, for both AAS and BS applicants.           
  • Key coursework before beginning the BS in CLS is required:
  • General Chemistry I & II (A-State courses CHEM 1011, 1013, 1021, 1023)
  • Anatomy & Physiology I & II (A-State courses ZOOL 2001, 2003, 2011, 2013)
  • Microbiology (A-State courses BIOL 2101, 2103)
• Students who are admitted into the CLS Program will be expected to provide their own transportation to and from assigned clinical sites.  Transportation is not provided by A-State or the CLT/CLS Programs.

• For applicants who are proficient in the Spanish language: Actualmente en la región que sirve A-State, se necesitan profesionales de la salud que hablen español. Por favor, indique aquí si usted tiene esta habilidad. Se da crédito adicional a los candidatos que puedan demostrar esta competencia. La facultad de idiomas extranjeros de A-State administra la prueba de habilidad en español. Por favor, póngase en contacto con el programa de ciencias de laboratorio clínico para arreglar una cita para tomar el examen.

Submitting Your Application

Only completed applications submitted online will be considered.
Apply Here

Equal Opportunity Policy

Arkansas State University is an equal opportunity institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, impediment/disability, or unlawful factors in the admission and treatment of students.

FRESHMEN STUDENTS

Freshmen applicants who meet one of the following criteria will receive automatic admission to Arkansas State. While you have to meet minimum criteria, test scores are still required:

• 3.00 cumulative high school grade point average (or GED test score equivalent)
• 19 minimum ACT super score or minimum 990 combined SAT super score
• Class rank in the top 20% of applicant's graduating class
• A holistic application review process

Admitted freshmen who require remediation (based on entrance exam scores) or who have less than a 3.00 cumulative high school GPA will be required to participate in the Transition Studies leadership based support program throughout their enrollment at Arkansas State University

ADMISSION APPEALS

Freshmen applicants who do not meet automatic admission standards may be admitted to the university upon approval of the Undergraduate Admissions Appeal Committee. Freshmen approved by the Undergraduate Admissions Appeal Committee will participate in the Transition Studies leadership-based support program. In addition to an official high school transcript and official entrance exam scores, submit to the committee:

• Two letters of recommendation
• Statement of purpose answering the following prompts:
  • Why is A-State a good fit for you and your educational goals?
  • What are your academic and personal strengths and how do you plan to grow as a student at A-State?
  • What experiences outside of the classroom impact or had an impact on your academic performance.

Documents must be submitted at least two weeks before the start of classes for the semester.

FRESHMAN ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official High School Transcript
• Official ACT/SAT Score
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

TRANSFER STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Transfer students are encouraged to apply for admissions the semester prior to enrolling in classes. You must have a cumulative 2.0 GPA on ALL transfer work. Students still in high school who have earned college credit should apply as a freshman.

TRANSFER ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official college transcript(s) from all colleges attended (emailed attachments and faxes will not be accepted)
• Completion of English Comp I and College Algebra OR official entrance exam scores
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

NON-DEGREE STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Individuals who wish to pursue courses of special interest without submitting academic credentials may register for a maximum of six hours per semester (or three per summer term) accumulating up to 12 semester hours of undergraduate non-degree credit. Thereafter, non-degree students must comply with university admissions requirements or obtain a written waiver from the Registrar.

CAUTION: Non-degree students should not enroll in courses that are required in the general education program. Courses taken for non-degree credit are not acceptable toward a degree unless validated later by the student's meeting all conditions for admission to the university, including remediation requirements.

Non-degree students are required to meet the same course prerequisites as other students. Non-degree students are generally not eligible to participate in financial aid programs. Due to specific enrollment limitations, non-degree students may not register through the university's web registration system.

NON-DEGREE ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

POST-DEGREE STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Students who have earned a bachelor's degree and plan to enroll in additional undergraduate coursework should apply as a post-degree student. This includes students who earned a bachelor's degree at A-State.

POST-DEGREE ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official college transcript where the bachelor's degree was received
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

RETURNING (READMIT) STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Students who have previously attended A-State but have not completed a bachelor's degree should apply as a readmit student. If you earned credit at A-State while still in high school, you should apply as a freshman or transfer student. Students who attended A-State and then attended another college should apply as a readmit student and submit the transcript from another institution.

RETURNING ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Completion of English Comp I and College Algebra OR entrance exam scores
• Official College Transcript (If attended another institution after you attended A-State)
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

TRANSIENT STUDENTS

ADMISSION CRITERIA:
Students who have not earned a bachelor's degree who are enrolled at another institution and plan to transfer coursework back to their home institution should apply as a transient student. Transient students are required to meet the same course prerequisites as other students. Transient students are not eligible for financial aid or scholarships.

TRANSIENT ADMISSION CHECKLIST:

• Completed Online Application
• $30 Application Fee
• Official college transcript from currently enrolled college or letter of good standing
• Immunization Record (2 MMRs)

CONCURRENT STUDENTS

The A-State Concurrent Program is a partnership between the university and high schools to offer qualified high school students the opportunity to satisfy both high school and university credit requirements simultaneously through specific concurrent credit courses.

1. TAKE A CAMPUS TOUR

Learn about all A-State has to offer while visiting campus! We have a great team of student Chancellor's Ambassadors who love showing future students around the place they call home. To schedule a campus visit, click the link below and select the type of tour, date, and time that works best for you.

Schedule a tour online >>

2. COMPLETE AN APPLICATION FOR ADMISSION

Please complete an online admissions application. Click the link "Create an account" under the First-Time User heading. You will be emailed a temporary PIN number for your initial log in. Then you can set a new password. This will allow you to log in at any time and check your application status. For more detailed instructions, please check our UG application guide.

Go to the online application >>

3. SUBMIT A $30 NON-REFUNDABLE APPLICATION FEE

You will pay the application fee online when completing your application. To apply for an application fee waiver, please submit the Undergraduate Application Fee Waiver Request Form.

4. REQUEST OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT

Once you've applied, have your high school send us your transcript. This is typically handled through your high school counseling office. Also, if you've taken any concurrent enrollment college courses, have those official transcripts sent as well.

Official transcripts can be sent electronically through school-verified sites or mailed to:

Office of Admissions, Records and Registration - Arkansas State University
P.O. Box 1800
State University, AR 72467

5. SEND OFFICIAL TEST SCORES

Prospective students may use the following submission methods:

• High School Transcripts and Test Scores:
  All high school transcripts, ACT scores, and SAT scores must be sent directly from the high school or issuing institution, either via mail or electronically, to be considered official.
  Examples of school-verified electronic sources:
  • TRIAND
  • EDI
  • eScript
  • Scoir
  • Slate.org
  • Parchment
  Alternatively, these documents can be mailed directly from the high school to:
  Office of Admissions - Arkansas State University
  P.O. Box 1800 | State University, AR 72467
  If a student hand-delivers a transcript or test scores, they must be in a sealed envelope from the institution to be considered official.
• College Transcripts and Test Scores:
  All college transcripts must be sent directly from the institution via mail or electronically to be considered official.
  Accuplacer scores must come directly from the institution or College Board to be considered official.
  If a student hand-delivers transcripts or test scores, they must be in a sealed envelope from the institution to be considered official.
• Documents Received by A-State Admissions Counselors:
  Transcripts, test scores and shot records received by A-State Admissions Counselors during school visits should be uploaded directly into Slate. These documents are considered official if:
  • They are received directly from a school official.
  • They are received from the student in a sealed, school-branded envelope.
  • The Admissions Counselor who receives these documents must attest to their authenticity.
• Proof of MMR Immunization:
  Students may submit proof of MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) immunization directly. These documents are not required to be in a sealed envelope.
• Official Test Scores:
  ACT Scores:
  ACT scores can be sent directly to Arkansas State University via the high school or through Encoura. For more information on how to send ACT scores, visit ACT Score Sending.
  
  SAT Scores:
  SAT scores can be sent directly via the high school or through the College Board. For details on sending SAT scores, please refer to SAT Score Sending.
  
  Accuplacer Scores:
  Accuplacer scores can be sent directly by the testing administrator at the testing site, the College Board, or through the A-State Testing Center. For more information, visit Accuplacer Score Information.

6. SUBMIT TWO MMR (MUMPS, RUBELLA & RUBEOLA/MEASLES) RECORDS

MMR records are not required for admissions but must be submitted to enroll in on-campus courses.

Upload a copy of your MMR records to your application or have MMR records sent to:

Office of Admissions, Records and Registration - Arkansas State University
P.O. Box 1800

Clinical Rotations

Every student will participate in four (4) clinical rotations as part of their CLS training. Many CLS clinical sites are NOT located in Jonesboro, so students can expect to drive to and from clinical sites for one or more rotations. It is the responsibility of the student to arrange for transportation and the associated costs should be factored in to the total cost of your education. We will make every effort to place you at sites located near where you live or where close family or friends live, but we make no guarantees that your desired placement will always be possible.

Medical Malpractice Insurance

Medical malpractice insurance, also known as “Professional Liability Insurance,” covers a healthcare professional in a variety of ways. Almost every healthcare professional is eligible for malpractice insurance. Each student should determine his or her own needs.

• Healthcare Providers Service Organization
• Marsh Affinity Group Services
• ASCP.ORG

Certification Information

We strongly recommend that students take the ASCP certification exam after you graduate. Although graduates have up to five years post-graduation to sit for the exam, we recommend that you take it shortly after graduation when all the information is fresh in your head.

Professional Organizations

Professional organizations play an important role in the advancement of a profession. Members get opportunities to enhance their professional network, broaden their knowledge, and stay current on current issues in the industry.

• American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science
• American Society for Clinical Pathology
• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
• American Association of Bioanalysts
• American Association of Blood Banks
• American Association of Clinical Chemistry
• American Society of Hematology
• American Society for Microbiology
• American Public Health Association
• College of American Pathologists
• The Joint Commission
• Clinical and Laboratory Standards Institute
• Center for Disease Control
• Labs are Vital
• Public Health Online

BACKGROUND CHECK

Based on recent legislation in Arkansas, students will be required to complete a background check AFTER they receive conditional admission into the program.

VERIFIED CREDENTIALS

Arkansas State University’s College of Nursing and Health Professions works with Verified Credentials, Inc. to establish an acceptable screening procedure. The costs of the background checks are between $50 and $100.

Background Checks for Students Newly Admitted into the CLS Program

Students who are conditionally admitted into the program must submit an initial background check to complete their admission requirements into the program.
View the step-by-step background check guide.

Background Checks for Current Students for Clinical Rotations

All students must submit a background check to remain eligible to participate in the clinical experience.

AFTER COMPLETION

Upon completion, the results of the background screening will be sent to you via email that will apprise you of the findings as well as your final score of:

• Red: Convictions or Discrepancy Found

• Yellow: Possible Discrepancy Found

• Green: No Convictions or Discrepancies Found

If any information is found that would negatively affect your eligibility for clinical placement in the program, you will be given an opportunity to challenge the information through the Adverse Action process associated with Verified Credentials. The clinical site will receive the information concerning any reports that are yellow or red and will determine your eligibility to participate in the clinical experience based on their criteria.

STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE

Students are required to have current health insurance for clinical rotations. Arkansas State University offers each student the opportunity to purchase an accident and hospitalization insurance policy through a reputable insurance company. ASU assumes no responsibility for collecting premiums or for paying claims. 

Below are some options if you do not already have health insurance.

Visit AIG's website for college student health insurance.

Visit APTA's Student Health Insurance page for members.

• Basic Principles of CLS
• General Chemistry I & II
• Anatomy & Physiology I & II
• Microbiology

The Clinical Laboratory Science Department requires a high level of proficiency in English so that all students will be able to fully meet academic and clinical objectives as well as meet criteria for professional licensure/certification.

International Students

Students from non-English speaking countries or for whom English is not a native language must take one of the following tests:

• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a score of 83 on the preferred internet-based test (iBT), 550 on the paper-based test, or 213 on the computer-based test.
• International English Language Testing System (IELTS) with a score of at least 6.5 and a spoken band score of 7.
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE) with a score of 56.

TOEFL Information

The TOEFL is available at the A-State Testing Center. When taking the exam off campus, the report code for A-State is 6011.

English as a Second Language Program

Students who do not meet the required English language proficiency may enroll in A-State’s English as a Second Language (ESL) program in the International Center for English. Potential CLS students enrolled in the ESL program must maintain an average of 85 or higher in levels 0 through 4. In the final or 5th level of the ESL program an average of 90 or higher must be maintained. Upon completion of the ESL program, the potential CLS student must take the internet based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Upon successfully meeting the proficiency requirement, potential students are eligible to apply to the Clinical Laboratory Science Program.

Ethical Responsibility

Faculty and staff in the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences have a responsibility for the welfare of the patients treated or otherwise affected by students enrolled in the Clinical Laboratory Science Program, as well as the welfare of other students in the Program. In order to fulfill this responsibility, the Program has established minimum essential requirements that must be met in order for students to participate in the Program, graduate, and enter the field of Clinical Laboratory Science.

Admission and Retention Factors

Admission and retention decisions for Clinical Laboratory Science are based not only on prior satisfactory academic achievement, but also on non-academic factors which serve to insure that the candidate can meet the essential requirements of the academic program. Essential requirements, as distinguished from academic standards, refer to those cognitive, physical, and behavioral abilities that are necessary for satisfactory completion of all aspects of the curriculum, including the professional attributes required by the faculty of all students for graduation. The following essential requirements have been developed in compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act (PL101-336) and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Learning

The A-State Clinical Laboratory Science curriculum requires essential abilities in information acquisition. The student must have the ability to master information disseminated in a variety of forms-- lectures, on-line, written and self-instructional materials, laboratory demonstrations and experiments, projected images, etc. - at a level deemed appropriate by the faculty.

Working Environment

The Clinical Laboratory Science curriculum requires students to perform delicate manipulations safely and accurately on patient specimens and instruments necessary for complete and valid diagnostic test results. The student must be able and willing to work with blood and body fluids which may be infectious, and be able to work carefully with a wide variety of chemical reagents. The students must be able to distinguish objects both macroscopically and microscopically characterizing color, odor, clarity, and viscosity of biological samples, reagents and chemical reactions. The students must have the visual acuity to discriminate among structural elements and fine lines in a minimal contrast setting.

The student must have sufficient upper body muscle coordination to practice safe specimen handling. The student must be able to perform moderately taxing and continuous physical work, which may require prolonged sitting and/or standing for several hours. The student must be able to lift and move objects, e.g., load individual tubes in an instrument and move test tube racks from one bench to another. The student must have the touch discrimination to discern veins and arteries in order to perform venipunctures. The student must have the manual dexterity to fill and dispense liquids using a bulb and calibrated pipette, streak agar plates for isolation, and dilute specimens accurately.

The student must possess the emotional stability needed to work accurately and safely under stress, e.g., work under time constraints, read and record numbers, perform repetitive tasks, concentrate in distracting situations, and make subjective evaluations and decisions, realizing that mistakes may have a high impact on patient care. The student must be able to adapt to changing work environments and be able to prioritize tasks.

Communication

The student must be able to communicate effectively in both verbal and written English in order to transmit information clearly and accurately to patients as well as members of the health care team. The appropriate communication at times will rely on the student’s ability to make a correct judgment in seeking supervisory assistance in a timely manner.

Character 

The student must possess attributes which include dependability, integrity, responsibility and tolerance. The student must show respect for self and others, work independently as well as with others, and project an image of professionalism.

Disability and Associated Risk

The student is advised that certain disabilities may limit employment opportunities. Further, immunocompromised individuals may put themselves at personal risk due to the presence of infectious agents in all areas of clinical laboratory science.

These technical standards identify the essential requirements of the Clinical Laboratory Science Program for admission, retention and graduation. It is, therefore, the responsibility of the student with disabilities to request those accommodations that he/she feels are reasonable and are needed to execute the essential requirements described. The CLS Program faculty will decide which accommodations can be provided without causing an undue burden.

Physical and Mental Requirements

Certain physical and mental requirements must be met to ensure safety during the clinical laboratory procedures.