Pre-professional Program
The pre-professional curriculum for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences program is taken at an associated college or other accredited college or university and requires two to three years of study, depending upon the college. These years are devoted to preparing the scientific foundation upon which the practice of clinical laboratory science can be built. The first year emphasizes courses in biological, physical and behavioral sciences, with options in the humanities. The succeeding years are used to increase depth in the sciences as they relate more specifically to health fields and to enhance personal experience through a broad choice of electives in the humanities. Specific course offerings and requirements may vary from campus to campus due to curriculum offerings, scheduling and course content. The following courses are required before a student comes to the Rush campus:

• 24 quarter hours (16 semester hours) of chemistry (organic, quantitative analysis and biochemistry recommended)
• 18 quarter hours (12 semester hours) of biology (anatomy and physiology, microbiology and genetics recommended)
• 4 quarter hours (3 semester hours) of mathematics (algebra and statistics recommended)

Professional Program
Students integrate the theory of clinical science with the practice of clinical laboratory procedures, learning basic theory and skills in hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, immunohematology, molecular techniques and clinical microbiology in the first year, and go on to more advanced courses in those areas in the second year. Students apply basic concepts as they rotate through the laboratories of Rush University Medical Center and affiliated hospitals. Currently, affiliate hospitals include the University of Chicago, Northwestern Memorial and the University of Illinois at Chicago. Additionally, students are prepared for supervisory and teaching positions through courses in management and education.