Program Overview
Medical laboratory science (also known as medical technology) is a profession that is practiced almost exclusively in hospitals and diagnostic clinics. These specialists perform the laboratory tests ordered by physicians and are the only laboratory technicians who are qualified to work independently of supervisory personnel. Upon completion of the professional program, the graduate is eligible to take various certification examinations required for licensure.
The Department of Health Sciences, in cooperation with Baptist Health College Little Rock (BHCLR), offers a Bachelor of Science degree in medical laboratory science. Commonly, three years of this program are taken on the UCA campus, and the fourth is completed in the hospital-associated teaching laboratories.
The Medical Laboratory Science program at BHCLR is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Program Outline
Mathematics Pathway: First-time, first-year students majoring in Medical Laboratory Science enter the College Algebra Mathematics Pathway and must enroll in MATH 1390 during their first year of study, unless they have been awarded credit for MATH 1390.
This degree is exempt from upper-division (UD) Core requirements. Consult the program advisor for specific details of the UCA Core as it applies to the BS in Medical Laboratory Science.
Professional Curriculum
Immunology (2 SCH)
Immunohematology (2 SCH)
Hematology (4 SCH)
Body Fluids (1 SCH)
Microbiology (4 SCH)
Chemistry (4 SCH)
Lab Fundamentals (1 SCH)
Seminar II (2 SCH)
Management and Education (1 SCH)
Clinical Internship I (4 SCH)
Clinical Internship II (4 SCH)
Clinical Internship III (3 SCH)
Clinical Internship IV (6 SCH)
University of Central Arkansas
Overview:
University of Central Arkansas (UCA) is a public university located in Conway, Arkansas. It boasts a rich 115-year tradition of excellence and is committed to providing an innovative and collaborative education within a culture of student support and success.
Services Offered:
UCA offers a wide range of services to its students, including:
Academic Advising:
Provides guidance and support for academic planning and course selection.Accessibility Resources and Services:
Offers accommodations and support for students with disabilities.Bear Card:
A multi-purpose card used for access to campus facilities, meal plans, and more.Bookstore:
Provides textbooks, course materials, and merchandise.Campus Safety:
Ensures a safe and secure environment for students, faculty, and staff.Career Services:
Assists students with career exploration, job search, and internship opportunities.Disability Resource Center:
Provides support and accommodations for students with disabilities.Financial Aid:
Offers various financial aid programs and scholarships to help students fund their education.Food Services:
Provides dining options on campus.Housing & Residence Life:
Offers on-campus housing options and residence life programs.Information Technology:
Provides technical support and resources for students.Library:
Offers a vast collection of books, journals, and digital resources.Student Health:
Provides healthcare services to students.Student Organizations:
Offers a wide variety of student organizations for students to join and engage in extracurricular activities.Veterans Services:
Provides support and resources for veteran students.Student Life and Campus Experience:
UCA offers a vibrant campus life with numerous opportunities for students to get involved and make connections. Students can:
Join over 150 Recognized Student Organizations:
Catering to diverse interests and passions.Participate in various events and activities:
From sporting events to cultural performances.Live in on-campus housing:
With various residence halls and living learning communities.Enjoy recreational facilities:
Including a campus recreation center.Volunteer in the community:
Through service-learning opportunities.Key Reasons to Study There:
UCA Commitment:
A groundbreaking program offering a debt-free pathway for tuition and fees for incoming Arkansas freshmen with household income of $100k or less.Small class sizes:
Allowing for personalized attention from faculty.Engaging programs:
Providing hands-on learning experiences and internships.Supportive community:
Fostering a sense of belonging and success.Strong academic reputation:
With a focus on research and experiential learning.Academic Programs:
UCA offers a wide range of academic programs across five colleges:
Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences:
Includes programs in art, history, literature, and more.Business:
Offers programs in accounting, finance, marketing, and more.Education:
Provides programs for aspiring teachers and educators.Health & Behavioral Sciences:
Includes programs in nursing, psychology, and more.Science and Engineering:
Offers programs in biology, chemistry, computer science, and more.Other:
UCA has a 14 to 1 student to faculty ratio.
The average ACT score for first-time undergraduate students is 22.4.
UCA offers over 141 academic programs and certificates.
UCA is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
UCA is classified as a Community Engagement Institution by the Carnegie Foundation.
Requirements for the degree are as follows:
- Completion of a minimum of 82 semester hours described below with at least a 2.5 GPA is necessary for application to the professional curriculum. In order to receive credit toward a degree from the university, the student must apply and be admitted to UCA prior to enrolling in the professional curriculum in medical laboratory sciences. In all cases, students will be required to complete a total of 120 hours with a minimum of 30 hours of residence credit.
- Acceptance into the clinical program in medical laboratory sciences at Baptist Health.
- Completion of the professional curriculum with a minimum GPA of 2.5.
The curriculum for medical laboratory science is shown in the table below. Note that students wishing to earn the BS in Medical Laboratory Science must satisfy the requirements of the lower-division UCA Core
