CLS Online Courses

The online CLS program consists of both theory and project-based courses. See the WSU Course Catalog for a short description of each course.

Most of the CLS online theory courses have two major components:

1. the didactic ("lecture") content, which is delivered online using various instructional approaches

2. the laboratory component, which is to be completed concurrently with the class, in the laboratory where you are employed. 

   A detailed list of laboratory competencies is provided with each course. You will work closely with a mentor in your laboratory who has agreed to be available to answer questions, evaluate core laboratory competencies and give assistance as needed. The role of the mentor is not to serve as a full-time clinical instructor. Various mentors may be utilized depending on the size of your laboratory. At the end of each course, the mentor provides the CLS department with a completed competency list, including comments on your performance.  

Credit Hour Requirements

A total of 129 credit hours is required for graduation; 67 of these are required CLS courses, 33 are required support courses, and 29 are required general education courses.

General Education

Refer to the General Requirements for Bachelor of Science degree requirements. General education requirements for the BS degree can be taken prior to or concurrently with the CLS program. However, you must complete all BS general education requirements to earn the CLS degree.  In addition to the Support Courses Required, which are isted toward the bottom of this page, the remaining general education requirements can be fulfilled by taking the required credit hours in the following areas:

• 6 credit hours Composition
• 3 credit hours Quantitative Literacy
• 3 credit hours American Institutions
• 9 credit hours Creative Arts & Humanities
• 4 credit hours Computer Literacy
• 6 credit hours Social Sciences

Course Requirements for BS Degree

You must be accepted into the online CLS program to enroll in any of these courses. Following each course is a note on which semester it is offered: F=fall, S=spring, Su=summer.

For those intending to work as clinical laboratory scientists
(For pre-med/pre-dental/pre-veterinarian/other pre-professional students contact the CLS Online Program Coordinator or your CLS advisor.

CLS Courses Required
34 credit hours

• CLS 3301  Online Orientation for BS degree (1) F, S, Su
• CLS 3302  Advanced Clinical Lab Practices I (4)  F, S
• CLS 3311  Advanced Clinical Immunohemaology (3)  F
• CLS 3313  Advanced Clinical Hematology & Hemostasis (4)  F
• CLS 3314  Advanced Clinical Chemistry (3)  S
• CLS 3316  Advanced Clinical Microbiology (3)  S
• CLS 4401  Working Laboratory Theory I (1)  F
• CLS 4405  Working Laboratory Theory II (1)  S
• CLS 4409  Clinical Correlation (1)  F, S, Su
• CLS 4414  Laboratory Teaching/Supervision I (2)  F, S, Su
• CLS 4417  Laboratory Teaching/Supervision II (1) F, S, Su 
• CLS 4442  Applied Working Laboratory I (4)  F
• CLS 4446  Applied Working Laboratory II (4)  S
• CLS 4453  Supervised Clinical Experience I* (1)
• CLS 4454  Supervised Clinical Experience II* (1)

Support Courses Required
33 credit hours (each of the following are offered F, S, Su)

• CHEM 1110  Elementary Chemistry (5)
• CHEM 1120  Elementary Organic/Biochemistry(5)
• HTHS 1110  Biomedical Core (4)
• HTHS 1111  Biomedical Core (4)
• HTHS 3328  Pathophysiology of Cells & Tissues (2)
  and HTHS 3329  Pathophysiology of Organs & Systems (2)
• MICR 3603  Advanced Microbiology for the Health Professional (3)

*For Supervised Clinical Experience courses (CLS 4453 and 4454), you will be given credit as an online student for previous experience gained while you have been employed in your clinical laboratory facility. One or two semesters prior to graduation, you will receive a letter and application form to apply for credit for these two classes. A recording fee of $10 must be submitted with your application form.

Refer to the WSU current course catalog for course descriptions. This curriculum pattern is subject to revision and is not an academic contract. See your advisor to make sure you are choosing the proper courses.