Overview of Program Admission

The Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) program is a 43 weeks program tailored to give up to 6 admitted students a comprehensive educational experience in laboratory medicine. Enrollment into the CLS program is a two-step admission process for students who are on a 3+1 and/or 4+1 certification and degree in Clinical Laboratory Science.

Note: Only students on the 3+1 degree program track are eligible to secure a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from USC Aiken. Enrollment includes regular admission to USC Aiken and a separate competitive admission into the CLS Program clinical component with Piedmont Augusta.

Note: Admission to USC Aiken does not guarantee acceptance the CLS Program nor does it guarantee employment with Piedmont Augusta upon completion of the program. Only the qualifying USC Aiken students who have fulfilled the necessary requirements may apply for the CLS Program clinical component offered through Piedmont Augusta Laboratory.

For more information about USC Aiken admission requirements, visit the Admissions Office website. 

Clinical Component Admissions Requirements

Piedmont Augusta is in an equal opportunity employer, and the Piedmont Augusta-CLS program is committed to equal opportunity as well. The Piedmont Augusta-CLS program gives no regards to race, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, veteran status, or disability in regards to program applicants. The Piedmont Augusta-CLS program will provide reasonable accommodations to qualified students with disabilities. Applicants will be considered for the CLS program on the basis of overall cumulative GPA, science GPA, two recommendations, and personal interview.

The following are required in order to obtain admission to the CLS program clinical component:

• Minimum cumulative and science grade point average of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale.
• Prerequisite college coursework to include 16 semester hours of chemistry that includes organic chemistry and biochemistry.
• Prerequisite college coursework to include 16 semester hours of biology to include microbiology and immunology.
• Prerequisite college coursework to include 3 hours of college-level math.
• The highly recommended courses (but not required) are genetics, molecular biology, statics and computer science.
• Non-academic essential functions.
• Two recommendations from a non-family member, college professors/instructors, advisors and/or employers.
• College transcript(s).
• Applicants whose first language is not English must have a minimum TOEFL score of 80 on file at USC Aiken.

Clinical Component Admissions Process

The CLS Program clinical component admissions process is administered by the CLS program director. There are no regards given to race, creed, national origin, ancestry, gender, age, veteran status, or disability during the admission process. The CLS Program clinical component admission process is as follows:

• Applications and recommendations submitted between the 1st Tuesday in February to the 3rd Tuesday in March. 
• Application material is reviewed by the Admissions Committee.
• Selected applicants are scheduled for a personal interview with the Admission Committee by will the 1st Tuesday in April.
• Personal interviews to begin by 2nd Tuesday in April.
• Applicant selections are made by the Admissions Committee.
• The CLS program director will send acceptance notification to each applicant via email by the last Friday in May.
• Accepted applicants complete and return the acceptance form by the 1st Tuesday in June.
• Confirmed acceptance applicants complete a background check, drug screen, TB skin testing, Hepatitis B vaccination, Influenza (FLU) vaccine, and other required up to date immunization records.
• Complete enrollment in contingent upon a negative drug screen, TB test, completed Hepatitis B vaccination, up to date immunization records, and an acceptable background check.
• The first day of the CLS program will be on the first day of the Fall semester as noted in the academic calendar.