CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES PROGRAM ADVISING
The CLS Program at UNLV is a NAACLS accredited 2+2 CLS Program which means that students openly enroll as a Pre-CLS major during their freshman and sophomore years while they take prerequisite courses. The last two years of the degree program however are restricted enrollment - students must apply for and be accepted into the upper division program. Enrollment in the Pre-CLS major as a freshman, sophomore or transfer student does not guarantee admission into the upper division professional CLS Program.
Freshman & Sophomore Years
The first two years of the Bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences involve developing a foundation of knowledge in the basic sciences along with completion of the General Education Program. The UNLV General Education Program is designed to help every student develop a broad intellectual background, gain familiarity with a variety of fields of knowledge, and acquire practical skills necessary for analyzing the culture and the world. Upon completion of the General Education core curriculum, students will be able to think critically and independently and so possess a foundation for life-long learning, professional success, and personal development. Students are also required to take a minimum of 4 semesters of Biology and 3 - 4 semesters of Chemistry along with appropriate math and statistics courses as our Science Foundation requirements. Since the CLS major is a science intensive curriculum and all science prerequisites must be completed prior to application to the CLS upper division major, students should begin to take their Biology and Chemistry prerequisite courses during the first semester at UNLV.
Freshman, sophomores and transfer students who are Pre-CLS should make appointments each semester with the Division of Health Sciences Advising Center located in BHS 100. Call 895-5448 to make an appointment.
Upper Division CLS Program
After successful completion of the prerequisite courses, student must formally apply for acceptance into the upper division professional CLS Program. Enrollment in the Pre-CLS major as a freshman, sophomore, or transfer student does not guarantee admission into the professional CLS Program. Admissions are primarily for Fall semester - consult a CLS Program advisor for information about Spring semester admissions. The minimum requirements for admission into the Professional Program are:
Eligibility requirements for all upper-division professional CLS major and undergraduate minor or certificate programs are:
- Enrollment in Good Standing at UNLV or admission as a transfer student
- Completion of all university General Education core requirements
- Completion of all Science Foundation prerequisite courses, with the exception of CHEM 474
- Completion of all courses with a minimum grade of C (2.00) in each course
- An overall science GPA and cumulative GPA of 2.50 (3.00 strongly recommended)
- Completed CLS application
In addition to the above academic requirements, students must also undergo a criminal background check and drug screen. Students must maintain medical insurance coverage during enrollment in all upper division CLS campus and clinical courses. A health screen including a TB skin test or chest x-ray and minimum vaccinations are required. See the CLS Application Packet for more information. Applications are due by May 1st of each year, they are reviewed and letters of acceptance or rejection are sent out by June 1st.
A checklist and suggested courses of study for various CLS major, minors, and certificates can be found through these links:
CLS Prerequisite Checklist (pdf)
CLS Suggested Course of Study (pdf)
Minor/Undergraduate Certificates Suggested Course of Study (pdf)
Post-Baccalaureate Certificates Suggested Course of Study (pdf)
CLS Application Packet (for all CLS options) (pdf)
Application Form only (MS Word)
CLS Course Descriptions (pdf)