Program Overview

Medical Laboratory Science Program

The mission of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program is to prepare its graduates to accurately perform laboratory tests on blood and body fluid specimens that aid in the diagnosis, management, and treatment of disease and to advance the knowledge of medical laboratory science.

Program Description

Certified medical laboratory scientists (formerly medical technologists) perform tests that aid in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. Medical laboratory science is composed of five clinical laboratory sciences: blood banking, clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology. Collectively, applications taken from each of these disciplines enable clinicians to make a comprehensive assessment of each patient. Most medical laboratory scientists work in laboratories, which may be located in hospitals, clinics, physicians' offices, research centers, industrial and commercial settings. Medical laboratory scientists also work in the areas of biotechnology, toxicology, and various specialties such as cytogenetics and transplantation. Medical laboratory scientists may pursue careers in laboratory supervision, management, education, customer training or sales (instrumentation, pharmaceuticals, and new technology).

Program Structure

Students are encouraged to acquire a liberal arts education during the first two years while completing the prerequisite science courses. The junior and senior years are devoted to completion of core program required courses, professional study, and training through lectures, laboratory instruction, seminars, and supervised clinical practice at an affiliated hospital laboratory. Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (formerly Medical Technology) and a certificate of clinical training, and are eligible to take either of the national certification examinations for medical laboratory scientists.

Accreditation

The professional studies program in Medical Laboratory Science (formerly Medical Technology) is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Admission Criteria

Application to the professional program is required and is typically submitted upon completion of the sophomore year in the spring. Admission is granted to students who have a GPA of 2.5 or higher and have completed required courses with a grade of "C" or better. Students will be assigned to an area clinical practicum site during the student's junior/senior year.

Program Requirements

• A grade point average of 2.5 must be maintained throughout the professional program.
• Any courses resulting in a grade lower than "C" will be required to be repeated.
• Students who enter the program as a freshman should complete the degree in four years.
• Students who transfer from another university or major may require more time to complete the pre-professional portion.

Learning Outcomes

Upon completion of the baccalaureate degree, students in Medical Laboratory Science (formerly Medical Technology) are expected to:

• Perform routine and complex laboratory procedures (blood banking, clinical chemistry, immunology, hematology, and microbiology) accurately;
• Correlate results of laboratory tests to their clinical significance and make appropriate recommendations;
• Perform quality control and assurance procedures, implementing and documenting corrective action as appropriate;
• Demonstrate proper safety protocols and apply techniques to improve laboratory safety;
• Demonstrate the code of ethics for medical laboratory scientists, along with meeting professional expectations;
• Critically evaluate new instrumentation and methods, and select appropriate procedures;
• Critically evaluate research findings through the review of medical literature.

Career Opportunities

Medical laboratory scientists may pursue careers in laboratory supervision, management, education, customer training or sales (instrumentation, pharmaceuticals, and new technology), as well as in the areas of biotechnology, toxicology, and various specialties such as cytogenetics and transplantation. The major also prepares students for entry into graduate or professional school.