The College of Health Sciences at Rush University traces its origins to the School of Medical Technology sponsored by Presbyterian-St. Luke’s hospital from 1959 to 1972. The second largest school of its kind in Chicago, it provided a one-year professional internship program to more than 200 baccalaureate students in medical technology during its operation. In 1973, the School of Medical Technology was one of the first internship programs in the country to convert to a two-year baccalaureate degree program. The program is built around a core of basic and advanced theoretical knowledge and clinical practice. The school became part of Rush’s College of Nursing and Allied Health Sciences in 1973. In 1975, the College of Health Sciences separated from the College of Nursing and, along with what was then the Graduate School, became an independent college.

The college currently offers two doctoral programs, nine master’s programs and bachelor’s programs in clinical laboratory sciences, perfusion technology and vascular ultrasound. Since the College of Health Sciences was founded, nearly 2,000 baccalaureate, master’s and doctoral degrees have been awarded.