RCRH Clinical Laboratory Science Program
Frequently Asked Questions
How long will it take to complete this degree?
Candidates must have completed required prerequisites of at least 90 semester hours in an approved college/university which will culminate in a baccalaureate degree or have already been awarded a baccalaureate degree, which includes the prescribed course content areas:
- general chemistry
- general biological sciences
- organic and/or biochemistry
- microbiology
- instrumentation
- immunology
- mathematics to include statistics
- molecular biology/genetics
The final year would be spent in a clinical practicum, such as the one located at Rapid City Regional Hospital.
How much will I earn?
The entry-level salary for clinical laboratory scientists in our area is between $38,000 - $58,000 (most recent data available).
Will I find a job when I graduate?
Yes! Right now, one out of every eight positions in clinical laboratories is vacant. A severe shortage of qualified clinical laboratory personnel is developing. We need YOU!
How is this job ranked compared to other health-related professions?
According to Jobs Rated Almanac, by Les Krantz, Clinical Laboratory Science ranks 16th among 250 jobs and 3rd among 32 health-related occupations. These rankings are based on the work environment, income, employment outlook, physical demands of the job, job security and stress.
Career Opportunities: Graduates of a CLS program work in hospital laboratories, reference laboratories, medial research, industry-designing, developing and repairing laboratory instruments, molecular biology laboratories-performing DNA analysis, environmental laboratories, managing information systems in health-related settings, and in many other technical positions.
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