Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, B.S.

Requirements for the B.S. degree with a major in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences

Students pursuing specializations in histotechnology, nuclear medicine technology, or radiologic technology must complete a minimum of 136 credits, including the following requirements. Students pursuing the specialization in medical laboratory science or graduating with a Pre-Professional concentration must complete a minimum of 128 credits, including the following requirements.

Admission to clinical specialization internship

To be accepted in a clinical specialization internship, students must submit a formal application for each program for which they seek consideration. Applications for the histotechnology and radiologic technology internship programs are processed in the winter semester of the sophomore year (or Winter semester following completion of the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences core curriculum). Applications for nuclear medicine internships are processed during the fall or winter semester of the junior year (depending on desired start of clinical program) and applications for the MLS internships are processed during the summer prior to the senior year. It is recommended that students have at least a 3.00 overall GPA. Students with lower grade point averages may be admitted provisionally pending satisfactory completion of appropriate fall semester, junior-year course work.  Students should check the clinical program’s websites for exact application dates.

Grade point policy

Students must maintain a cumulative GPA of 2.8 in all course-work applied to the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences major. Students in a specialization will be placed on probation if they earn a grade less than C in any course or if their cumulative grade point average in major coursework falls below 2.80. Students who earn a second grade less than C must have their programs reviewed by the faculty to determine remediation or termination from the program.

In order to remove probationary status, students must raise their cumulative major grade point average to 2.80 or higher.

Specialization in medical laboratory science (MLS)

Medical laboratory scientists perform diagnostic tests that provide important information to determine the presence, extent or absence of disease as well as data to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. They work with all types of body tissues and fluids, from blood and urine to cell samples. Major areas of specialization within the laboratory include hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, serology, urinalysis, immunohematology (blood bank) and molecular diagnostics.

Students may apply for specialization standing in MLS after completing the CDS core curriculum, generally at the end of the sophomore year. The junior and senior years consist of the prescribed professional course requirements at Oakland University. A clinical internship is required for national certification as a medical laboratory scientist (certification required for most hospital and private laboratory employment positions). Application to clinical internship (if desired) is made during the summer semester prior to the senior year. Internships are between six and ten months in length (depending on the clinical site), and are done post-graduate. Oakland University is affiliated with the following accredited MLS clinical programs: Detroit Medical Center University Laboratories, Detroit; Hurley Medical Center, Flint; St. John Providence Health System, Detroit and William Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak. Acceptance into the internship program is competitive and based on grade point average, personal interview, and letters of recommendation.

Specialization in histotechnology

Histotechnologists perform a variety of diagnostic and research procedures in the anatomic sciences. During the clinical internship, students learn histological techniques that involve processing, sectioning and staining of tissue specimens that have been removed from humans or animals by biopsy, surgical procedures or autopsy. Advanced techniques include muscle enzyme histochemistry, electron microscopy, immunofluorescence and immunoenzyme procedures, molecular pathology techniques including in situ hybridization and image analysis, and medical photography. Techniques in education methodology, management, research, technical writing and presentation of scientific information are also included in the curriculum.

Students may apply for specialization standing in histotechnology after completing the Clinical and Diagnostice Sciences core curriculum. Application to the hospital-based internship is typically made during the winter semester of the sophomore year. Students will be informed of acceptance in June and begin the internship in August of the next calendar year. Application for specialization standing and internship usually coincide for histotechnology.

The junior year consists of the prescribed professional course requirements at Oakland University. The senior year consists of a 12-month internship at the William Beaumont Hospital School of Histotechnology. Acceptance into the internship program is competitive and is based on grade point average, personal interview and letters of recommendation.

Specialization in nuclear medicine technology

Nuclear medicine technologists utilize small amounts of radioactive materials for diagnosis, therapy and research. Diagnosis can involve organ imaging using gamma counters to detect radioactive material administered to the patient or analysis of biologic specimens to detect levels of various substances. Therapeutic doses of radioactive materials are also given to patients to treat specific diseases.

The Nuclear Medicine specialization is available to School of Health Sciences students through a partnership between the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, and the Nuclear Medicine Institute at the University of Findlay, Findlay Ohio. Oakland students will need to apply to be guest students at the University of Findlay while they are in the Nuclear Medicine program, and will register for classes and pay tuition through the University of Findlay. The Findlay program has two start dates per year, in August and January. Application for the clinical program is made during the junior year and should be made 9-12 months prior to the desired beginning class date (November 1st for an August start date or April 1st for the following January start date).  The senior year of study consists of a 12 month program, one semester on the University of Findlay campus, and two semesters of full-time clinical education at a clinical affiliate. Currently available clinical affiliates in the Detroit metropolitan area include Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Detroit; Harper Hospital, Detroit; University of Michigan Health System, Ann Arbor; and the Veterans Affairs Ann Arbor Healthcare System, Ann Arbor.  The Findlay NMT program has over 60 clinical affiliates, in 10 states, so additional options are available if the student so desires. Upon completion of the NMT program at the University of Findlay, the student will receive their B.S. in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, Specialization in NMT, from Oakland University. Acceptance into the internship program is competitive and based on grade point average, personal interview and letters of recommendation.

Specialization in radiologic technology

A radiologic (X-ray) technologist is a professional responsible for the administration of ionizing radiation for diagnostic or research purposes. The radiologic technologist must integrate complex knowledge and advanced technical skills in the imaging of internal structures. Radiologic technologists apply knowledge of anatomy, physiology, positioning and radiographic technique in the performance of their duties.

Individuals interested in a radiography career must be able to communicate effectively with patients and other health care professionals. The radiologic technologist must display compassion, competence and concern in order to meet the special needs of the patient. Direct contact is required when maneuvering the patient into position for various procedures. Radiography is a rewarding career that combines patient care with modern medical technology.

Students may apply for admission into the Radiologic Technology specialization after completing the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences core curriculum requirements. Radiologic Technology is currently the only Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences specialization for which Oakland University holds the programmatic accreditation. The admission process occurs during Winter semester prior to the August start date of each year. Acceptance into the program is competitive and is based on grade point average, personal interview and letters of recommendation. Applicants are required to have a minimum grade of B cumulative total GPA (3.0) and science GPA (3.0) and current CPR (“Healthcare Provider”) certification through the American Heart Association.  Patient contact experience, volunteering with patients and advanced course work are considered favorably in the admissions process. The junior and senior years consist of didactic work at Oakland University and supervised clinical experience in the Radiologic Technology Department at William Beaumont Hospital.

Pre-professional studies for medicine, dentistry, physician assistant, optometry, and veterinary medicine

The Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences (CDS) provides excellent preparation for admission to a variety of professional schools. The curricula for some CDS specializations may require additional courses, depending on the individual professional program requirements. For a student desiring greater flexibility in planning their academic program, the Pre-Professional concentration may be of interest. Students should consult with the CDS adviser as to the academic option most suitable for the individual student’s academic career goals.