Clinical Laboratory Science

Salem College offers a cooperative (three years/one year) program in medical technology through a continuing affiliation with the medical technology program at Wake Forest University Baptist Medical Center or via temporary contractual affiliations with other approved schools of medical technology.  

Your Program  

You will apply to enroll in the approved medical technology program* during the fall of your junior year at Salem. You should also take any required admission tests during this time. Admission to the program is not automatic; your grades, scores and other aspects of a competitive application process will be key.  

You must complete three years at Salem College, followed immediately by 12 months in the medical technology program, in order to qualify for this degree, which is a bachelor's of science degree.  

Professor Stephen R. Nohlgren of the department of Biology is the faculty advisor for the medical technology program at Salem. You are invited to be part of the Women in Science and Mathematics program as a way of enriching your academic and experiential background.  

* Approved medical technology programs must be recognized by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Services.  

Your Results 

Once you have completed the three years at Salem/one year in approved medical technology program, you will be eligible to take a national certifying examination, such as that given by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

Clinical Laboratory Science Major (B.S.)

During the senior year, the student enrolls in courses at an accredited and approved school of clinical laboratory science or medical technology, where her studies will include the equivalent of nine courses, typically in clinical microscopy (including hematology, urinalysis, etc.), microbiology (including bacteriology, mycology, serology and parasitology), clinical chemistry or biochemistry and blood banking.  

Clinical laboratory science majors are exempted from the requirement that eight of the last ten course credits toward the degree be taken in residence at Salem.  However, students must complete at least eight of the last ten course credits at Salem in the year prior to enrolling in the approved clinical laboratory science or medical technology program.  At least four of the courses taken at Salem must be 1) from the list of required science courses at or above the 200 level, or 2) from the list of required mathematics courses at or above the 100 level or 3) completed with the permission of the chairs of the biology and chemistry departments. 

A student intending to be a clinical laboratory science major should meet with her advisor early and regularly to discuss a suggested program of study in order to remain on track for graduation within four years.