Clinical laboratory scientists are the hidden heroes of modern medicine — the professionals whose precise diagnostic work drives up to 70% of all clinical decisions. GCU's B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences is a joint degree program with Rutgers University School of Health Professions, giving you the best of two institutions: a rigorous science foundation at GCU, and specialized professional training at one of New Jersey's premier health professions schools. Graduate eligible to sit for ASCP board certification and enter one of healthcare's most stable and in-demand careers.
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This isn't a typical university program — it's a carefully designed joint degree that combines the strengths of two New Jersey institutions. At GCU, you build a rigorous science foundation in biology and chemistry, completing 85+ credits that include all General Education requirements and a minor in Biology. At Rutgers University's School of Health Professions, you specialize in the clinical laboratory science discipline of your choice over 12–15 months, earning 45–50 credits of focused professional training. At the end, both institutions jointly award you the B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences — a credential backed by two respected NJ universities.
Graduates of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences program are eligible to sit for the ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) Board of Certification examination — the nationally recognized credential for medical laboratory scientists. ASCP certification is the industry standard that hospitals, clinical laboratories, and healthcare systems look for when hiring. Earning your GCU/Rutgers CLS degree puts you directly on the path to this career-defining credential.
At Rutgers SHP, you'll specialize in medical laboratory science — developing professional expertise in hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, blood banking, and urinalysis. The 45-credit Rutgers professional sequence provides the hands-on laboratory training and clinical experience that transforms a science background into a clinical career. Rutgers's program is one of the most respected in the region, with strong hospital and laboratory placement networks throughout New Jersey and the greater NYC area.
Clinical laboratory scientists are essential healthcare workers — demand for their skills doesn't disappear during economic downturns. The profession is projected to grow 11% from 2023 to 2033 (faster than average), driven by an aging population, expanding diagnostic capabilities, and the growing complexity of clinical testing. New Jersey's dense healthcare system — with major hospital networks including RWJBarnabas, Atlantic Health, Hackensack Meridian, and Jefferson Health NJ — provides exceptional employment opportunities for CLS graduates.
This is a joint degree program. Students are admitted to GCU for the pre-professional phase (years 1–3) and must separately apply to and be accepted by Rutgers University’s School of Health Professions for the professional phase (year 4 and into year 5). Acceptance to Rutgers SHP is not guaranteed.
Rutgers SHP minimum requirements (subject to change):
Students who are not accepted into Rutgers SHP cannot automatically complete the CLS degree at GCU alone. Students should speak with their advisor about alternative degree pathways if SHP acceptance is not secured.
In every hospital, every clinical laboratory, every blood bank, and every diagnostic center, clinical laboratory scientists are at work — analyzing blood, tissue, and body fluids to produce the precise data that physicians rely on to diagnose disease, monitor treatment, and protect public health. This is complex, rigorous, life-critical work — and GCU’s joint degree program with Rutgers University prepares you to do it at the highest level.
The program is structured in two distinct phases. In the first two to three years at GCU, you complete all General Education requirements and a specific set of biology and chemistry courses that form the prerequisite foundation for the Rutgers SHP professional program. This GCU phase typically totals 85 or more credits. In the fall of your junior year, you apply to Rutgers SHP’s medical laboratory science specialization. If accepted, you spend 12–15 months at a Rutgers SHP campus (Newark or Scotch Plains) completing 45–50 credits of specialized clinical laboratory coursework.
At the conclusion of the Rutgers phase, the B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences is awarded jointly by both Georgian Court University and Rutgers University. You then become eligible to sit for the ASCP Board of Certification examination — the professional credential that defines the clinical laboratory science field nationally.
GCU’s role in this partnership is to provide the scientific foundation that Rutgers requires: cell biology, genetics, microbiology, human anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, two semesters of general and organic chemistry, and mathematics. Faculty in GCU’s Department of Biology, Biochemistry, & Chemistry — led by Associate Professor and Chair Dr. Carolyn Bergman — advise and mentor CLS students throughout the GCU phase, preparing them for the rigors of the Rutgers professional program.
GCU’s B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences is a great fit if you:
| Career | Entry Salary | Mid-Career Salary | Experienced Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Medical Laboratory Scientists | $55,000–$68,000 | $74,800 | $90,000–$110,000+ |
| Laboratory Supervisors/Managers | $72,000–$88,000 | $95,400 | $115,000+ |
Job Outlook
Clinical laboratory scientists and technologists are projected to grow 11% from 2023 to 2033 — faster than average — with approximately 26,000 job openings per year nationally. New Jersey’s concentration of major hospital systems and healthcare networks creates consistent, strong demand for CLS graduates throughout the state.
To earn this degree, students must successfully complete at least 120 credits, including General Education requirements and the major requirements below.
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Biology | ||
| BI121 | Cellular Organiz., Energetics & Function | 4.0 |
| BI204 | Genetics & Evolution | 4.0 |
| BI213 | Human Anatomy & Physiology I | 4.0 |
| BI214 | Human Anatomy & Physiology II | 4.0 |
| BI219 | Microbiology | 4.0 |
| Select one of the following: | 3.0-4.0 | |
BI427 | Immunology (4 credits) | |
BI428 | Fundamentals of Immunology (3 credits) | |
| BI437 | Biochemistry I | 4.0 |
| Chemistry | ||
| CH113 | General Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH114 | General Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| CH223 | Organic Chemistry I | 4.0 |
| CH224 | Organic Chemistry II | 4.0 |
| Mathematics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3.0-4.0 | |
MA110 | Precalculus | |
MA115 | Calculus I | |
MA116 | Calculus II | |
| Statistics | ||
| Select one of the following: | 3.0 | |
MA103 | Introduction to Statistical Thinking | |
SO201 | Social and Crime Statistics | |
| Total Credits | 49.0-51.0 | |
Recommended electives for students planning to seek an advanced degree in science:
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| MA115 | Calculus I | 4.0 |
| MA116 | Calculus II | 4.0 |
| PH121 | University Physics I | 4.0 |
| PH122 | University Physics II | 4.0 |
Admissions Requirements GCU Admission (First-Year Students)
GCU to Rutgers SHP Admission (Professional Phase)
Transfer Students
GCU Phase (Biology and Chemistry Foundation): By completing the GCU phase of the CLS program, students will demonstrate:
Rutgers SHP Phase: Rutgers SHP’s clinical laboratory science curriculum develops professional competencies in all areas of the medical laboratory — including pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical phases of testing. For full Rutgers SHP learning outcomes, visit:
Q: How does the joint degree work — am I a GCU student or a Rutgers student? A: Both, at different stages. For the first two to three years (approximately 85+ credits), you are a GCU student, paying GCU tuition and working toward your GCU science foundation. In the final 12–15 months, you are enrolled at Rutgers University’s School of Health Professions, paying Rutgers tuition for 45–50 credits of professional coursework. At the conclusion of the Rutgers phase, both institutions jointly award you the B.S. in Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Q: What happens if I don’t get accepted into Rutgers SHP? A: Acceptance to Rutgers SHP is competitive and not guaranteed — even students who meet the minimum GPA requirement (2.85) are not automatically accepted. If you are not accepted, GCU has alternative pathways: you may be able to complete a B.A. or B.S. in Biology through the Medical Laboratory Science Track at Jersey Shore University Medical Center (Neptune, NJ) or Monmouth Medical Center (Long Branch, NJ), earning a GCU biology degree instead. Speak with your academic advisor about this contingency pathway from the beginning of your program.
Q: What is ASCP certification, and why does it matter? A: The ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) Board of Certification is the nationally recognized credentialing standard for clinical laboratory scientists. Earning MLS(ASCP) certification demonstrates that you have met national standards of competency in laboratory science — and most hospitals and clinical laboratories require or strongly prefer ASCP certification when hiring. Graduates of the GCU/Rutgers CLS program are eligible to sit for the ASCP examination upon completing the Rutgers professional phase.
Q: Can I work in the laboratory during my GCU phase? A: Many CLS students work or volunteer in clinical or research laboratory settings during their GCU years — and this experience is valuable for both their professional development and their Rutgers SHP application. Talk with Dr. Bergman about laboratory work or volunteer opportunities that are appropriate for your stage of training.
Q: What is medical laboratory science, specifically? A: Medical laboratory science is the clinical discipline in which professionals analyze blood, urine, tissue, and other body fluids to help diagnose disease and monitor treatment. The major areas include hematology (analyzing blood cells), clinical chemistry (measuring chemical substances in blood and body fluids), microbiology (identifying bacteria, viruses, and fungi), immunology/serology (testing immune function and antibody response), and blood banking (typing, crossmatching, and transfusion support). Clinical laboratory scientists work across all of these areas.
Q: What GPA do I need to maintain at GCU? A: You need a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.85 to apply to Rutgers SHP — so maintaining a GPA above this threshold throughout your GCU years is essential. Given that the Rutgers application is competitive, a higher GPA (3.0+) will significantly strengthen your application. Strong performance in biology and chemistry courses specifically is important.
Q: When should I apply to GCU? A: Rolling admissions — apply any time. Priority deadlines are November 1, January 1, and March 1. Given that your Rutgers SHP application will be submitted in the fall of your junior year, starting your GCU phase on time matters — apply early and meet with an advisor to plan your coursework sequence from the start.
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