Legal issues relevant to clinical laboratory education program admissions

To address the basic legal requirements for admissions, admissions standards, student and applicant records, and discrimination in admissions for clinical laboratory science (CLS) and clinical laboratory technician (CLT) educational programs.

Recent academic literature and legal precedents.

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CLS and CLT educational programs typically practice selective admissions. Program directors and faculty need to be aware of the issues relating to student selection that may have legal implications. Admissions practices should be guided by three basic legal requirements: that the selection process not be arbitrary or capricious, that the program adhere to its published admissions standards and honor admissions decisions, and that the program not have admissions policies that discriminate on the basis of race, gender, age, disability, or citizenship. Specific guidelines are offered for applying these legal requirements to the admissions practices typically used by CLS and CLT programs, including published admission policies and standards, application forms, interviews, rating of noncognitive attributes, and communication with applicants.

Admissions practices in CLS and CLT programs need to be guided by the three basic legal requirements.