Program Overview

Our Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program is offered in collaboration with Piedmont Augusta in Augusta, Georgia, where the professional clinical component of the program is offered. The CLS program is a regional professional program for USC Aiken students who are interested in an allied health career in a medical/clinical laboratory setting. Clinical laboratory scientists perform, develop, evaluate, correlate and assure accuracy and validity of laboratory information, direct and supervise clinical laboratory resources and operations and collaborate in the diagnosis and treatment of patients.

Upon successfully completing the CLS program, students will be awarded a certificate of completion from Piedmont Augusta Laboratory that will allow them to become certified Clinical Laboratory Scientists. Additionally, undergraduate biology majors who complete the CLS program have the opportunity to secure a Bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science (BSCLS) from USC Aiken. To learn more about the University of South Carolina-Aiken and Piedmont Augusta Clinical Laboratory Science Program partnership, please visit Piedmont Augusta's program page.

2022 Graduates from Left to Right: Hollie Fleischman, Campbell Crook, Savannah Smith

Program Accreditation

The Piedmont Augusta Clinical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the following:

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N, River Rd., Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Telephone: 773-714-8880
Website: https://www.naacls.org/About.aspx

Program Mission

The mission of the Piedmont Augusta Clinical Laboratory Science (Piedmont Augusta-CLS) program is to provide students with exceptional education and training to prepare future clinical laboratory scientists with the knowledge, and skills necessary to become responsible, competent, entry-level clinical laboratory science professionals. Additionally, the CLS Program serves to support Piedmont Augusta’s mission to make a positive difference in every life we touch.

Career Entry-Level Competencies

The ultimate goal of the CLS Program at USC Aiken/Piedmont Augusta-CLS is to prepare students for career entry positions as clinical laboratory scientists. Therefore, specific professional competencies dictated by NAACLS are the goals for each graduate. The program strives, through its educational methods, to incorporate all facets of quality laboratory practice into the professional development of students. The curriculum is designed to prepare graduates in various testing and analysis skills with the following career entry-level competencies in mind:

• Collect and safely handle biological specimens for analysis.
• Perform laboratory testing with accuracy.
• Evaluate and interpret laboratory test data.
• Identify problems and take corrective actions.
• Utilize quality assurance to monitor procedures, equipment, and technical competency.
• Operate equipment properly and perform preventive and corrective maintenance.
• Comply with established laboratory safety regulations.
• Utilize computers and laboratory software effectively.
• Evaluate the efficacy of new procedures and instrumentation for a given setting.
• Demonstrate ethical behavior and maintain the confidentiality of patient results.
• Interact professionally with patients and other health care personnel.
• Apply principles of education methodology.
• Apply principles of management.

Program Goals

The goals of Piedmont Augusta Clinical Laboratory Science program are as follows:

• To provide students with a quality education in accordance with the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) standards for a Clinical Laboratory Science program.
• To gain and maintain a NAACLS accredited CLS program.
• To provide students with comprehensive education and clinical experience necessary to obtain national CLS certification.
• To effectively prepare graduates of the CLS program with a strong theoretical and practical foundation of clinical laboratory science, strong communication and interpersonal skills, and laboratory competencies needed to secure an entry-level position as a clinical laboratory scientist.
• To effectively prepare competent, flexible clinical laboratory scientists who accept and fulfill the roles of health care professionals in diverse clinical laboratory settings or other related vocations.
• To foster the development of positive attitudes, behavior, and a philosophy of continual professional development and education.
• To promote professional respect, interaction, and communication among fellow health care professionals.
• To develop clinical laboratory scientists who perform the highest quality laboratory services in the most optimal time frame while maintaining a safe working environment and remaining within compliance with regulatory and accrediting agencies.
• To develop clinical laboratory scientists who maintain superior professional standards and zeal.

Program Outcomes

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) requires all accredited programs to openly communicate to prospective students the outcome measures below for the past three years:

C/O=Class of

* There were no graduates in 2019. Therefore, unable to assess the outcome measures.

** Not all graduates have taken the national certification exam within one (1) year of graduating. Therefore, this number is subject to change.

*** Not all graduates have taken the national certification exam for the first time or as a retake. Therefore, this number is subject to change.

**** Not all graduates have secured employment or continued their education within one (1) year of graduating. Therefore, this number is subject to change.

The outcome measures are defined as the following:

National Certification Pass Rate:  The percentage of graduates passing the national certification exam or continuing their education within one (1) year of graduation.

National Certification Overall Pass Rate:  The percentage of graduates passing the national certification exam at any time post-graduation.

Graduation Placement Rate:  The number of students who were employed in the medical laboratory science or a closely related field or pursued continuing education within one (1) year post-graduation.

Graduation Rate:  The number of students who entered the program's second half and successfully graduated.

Program Advisement

The CLS program prepares students for clinical laboratory work, including clinical hematology, hemostasis, urinalysis, immunology, chemistry, microbiology, mycology, parasitology, phlebotomy, flow cytometry, molecular diagnostics, and blood bank (immunohematology). Additionally, the program provides graduates with a marketable degree and a career opportunity to help people while enjoying laboratory medicine's hands-on and investigative aspects. For further information about the BSCLS degree or CLS program, you can contact either of the USC Aiken faculty advisors or the Piedmont Augusta-CLS program director respectively:

For information about the advisement process, roles, and responsibilities for the CLS program, please view the Center for Student Achievement's information on academic advisement. 

Complete degree requirements can be viewed in the academic bulletins.