UTSA/UTHSCSA Joint Bachelor of Science Degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS)
The Department of Biology at The University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA) and the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio (UTHSCSA) offer a joint Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS). In this program students receive their instruction in prerequisite science courses and fulfill Core Curriculum requirements at UTSA (81 semester credit hours). All biology and chemistry courses in the CLS curriculum must count toward a major in the specific scientific discipline; they may not be introductory or survey courses.The professional CLS courses are taken at UTHSCSA (60.5 semester credit hours). All science and professional courses must be completed with a grade of “C” or better. The CLS Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS, 773-714-8880; http://www.naacls.org). Graduates may sit for the national certification examinations in CLS or medical technology.
In the joint degree program, clinical laboratory sciences courses are offered throughout the course of study. Students may take clinical laboratory science courses during their sophomore and junior years and enroll in classes on both the UTSA and UTHSCSA campuses. A clinical practicum experience and advanced professional courses are included in the senior year at UTHSCSA. All CLSC courses are taught at UTHSCSA and are listed separately.
Certain specific physical skills and abilities (Essential Functions) are required to successfully participate in the Clinical Laboratory Sciences Program. Students may wish to inquire regarding these physical requirements before seeking admission to the program or registering for specific courses in the program.
Admission Requirements
Declaration as a CLS major at UTSA does not guarantee admission to the professional phase of the CLS Program at UTHSCSA. For consideration for admission into the professional phase at UTHSCSA, students must complete a separate application form. The application may be accessed at https://www.applytexas.org. The completed application, application fee, official transcripts and supporting documents must be submitted to the Registrar’s Office at UTHSCSA by June 1 for Fall admission and October 1 for Spring admission. Students must be admitted to UTHSCSA and advised by a UTHSCSA faculty member before they enroll in CLSC courses. Minimum requirements for admission to UTHSCSA include 50 semester credit hours of Core Curriculum and program prerequisite courses, an overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, and no grade lower than a “C” in any support science course. An interview with two CLS faculty is required as part of the application process. Two references must be submitted. The forms for references may be printed from the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences Web page: http://www.uthscsa.edu/sah/cls/cls.html.
In the event that all positions in the CLS Program are filled for a given semester (Fall or Spring), qualified applicants may be accepted and placed on a waiting list. A detailed explanation of the waiting list policy may be viewed on the Department’s Web site: http://www.uthscsa.edu/sah/cls/cls.html. Factors considered in selecting students may be found in the UTHSCSA catalog: http://studentservices.uthscsa.edu/pdf/Catalog2007-09.pdf.
Applicants with English as a second language must submit their scores on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Required minimum scores are 560 for the paper test, 220 for the computer test, and 68 for the Internet-based test. If an applicant’s education was obtained in a country other than the United States, a transcript evaluation from an approved transcript evaluating agency (course by course) must be submitted with the application. A list of approved agencies may be obtained from the UTHSCSA Registrar’s Office.
Students must provide documentation of current health insurance and have their immunizations current. Immunizations must include tuberculosis skin test within last 12 months, Tetanus-Diphtheria within the last 10 years, measles (Rubeola), mumps, Rubella, and Varicella. The hepatitis B vaccine series (3) must be completed before students begin CLS laboratory courses at UTHSCSA. Certification in cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is required.
Clinical Laboratory Science students are required to show evidence of professional liability insurance coverage prior to official registration for courses that involve a clinical situation. Additional information on this requirement will be provided by the CLS Program faculty at UTHSCSA.
Admission to and successful continuation in the program will prepare the student for a clinical practicum position at one of the UTHSCSA teaching affiliates. A list of these affiliates may be obtained from the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences at UTHSCSA. Students who are ready for clinical practicum are randomly selected for specific affiliate placement based on availability of positions at the affiliate sites throughout South Texas. All students are expected to complete at least one practicum at an affiliate located outside of San Antonio. In the unlikely event that there are not enough sites available for the number of students ready to enter practicums, assignments will be made according to program policies (see Department Web site: http://www.uthscsa.edu/sah/cls/cls.html).
All students are required to be advised each semester by the CLS Program director or a member of the CLS faculty to ensure enrollment in appropriate coursework.
The minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree, including the Core Curriculum requirements, is 141.5.
All candidates seeking this degree must fulfill the Core Curriculum requirements and the degree requirements, which are listed below.
Core Curriculum requirements: Students seeking the UTSA/UTHSCSA Joint Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences must fulfill University Core Curriculum requirements in the same manner as other students. The courses listed in the table below satisfy both degree requirements and Core Curriculum requirements; however, if these courses are taken to satisfy both requirements, then students will need to take additional courses in order to meet the minimum number of semester credit hours required for this degree. For a complete listing of courses that satisfy the Core Curriculum requirements see pages 5–9 of this catalog.
| Core Curriculum Component Area | Courses that Satisfy Core Curriculum and Degree Requirements |
|---|---|
Communications |
English Rhetoric/Composition (6 semester credit hours) |
Mathematics |
Mathematics (3 semester credit hours) |
Natural Sciences |
Science (6 semester credit hours) |
Humanities & Visual and Performing Arts |
Literature (3 semester credit hours) |
Social and Behavioral Sciences |
United States History and Diversity (6 semester credit hours) |
World Society and Issues |
(3 semester credit hours) |
Degree Requirements
- 48 semester credit hours in support work completed at UTSA:
- 26 semester credit hours in the biological sciences:
AHS 1883 Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Sciences AHS 3463 Human Physiology BIO 1122 Laboratory Investigations in Biology BIO 1404 Biosciences I BIO 1413 Biosciences II BIO 2313 Genetics BIO 3513 Biochemistry BIO 3713, 3722 Microbiology and Laboratory
- 16 semester credit hours in chemistry:
CHE 1103, 1122 General Chemistry I and Laboratory CHE 1113, 1132 General Chemistry II and Laboratory CHE 2604, 2612 Organic Chemistry I and Laboratory
- 6 semester credit hours in mathematics and statistics:
MAT 1093 Precalculus STA 1053 Basic Statistics
- 26 semester credit hours in the biological sciences:
- 60.5 semester credit hours in clinical laboratory sciences completed at UTHSCSA:
- These courses may be taken concurrently with support work at UTSA:
CLSC 3001 Phlebotomy Practicum CLSC 3004, 3003 Parasitology and Mycology and Laboratory CLSC 3010 Body Fluids CLSC 3011 Quality Assurance in the Clinical Laboratory CLSC 3033, 3034 Medical Microbiology and Laboratory CLSC 3051, 3052 Hematology and Laboratory CLSC 3060, 3064 Immunohematology and Laboratory CLSC 3065 Clinical Immunology CLSC 3071 Diagnostic Immunology Laboratory CLSC 3081, 3082 Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory CLSC 4035 Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics INTD 4006 Professional Issues
- These courses are the senior didactic and clinical practicum courses:
CLSC 4033 Advanced Medical Microbiology CLSC 4037 Microbiology Practicum CLSC 4053 Advanced Hematology CLSC 4055 Advanced Immunohematology CLSC 4057 Hematology Practicum CLSC 4067 Immunohematology Practicum CLSC 4070 Immunology Practicum CLSC 4083 Advanced Clinical Chemistry CLSC 4087 Chemistry Practicum CLSC 4092 Management I CLSC 4093 Management II Techniques for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- These courses may be taken concurrently with support work at UTSA: