Medical Laboratory Science (MLT to MLS Online), BS

Licensed Medical Laboratory Technicians who wish to earn a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science may elect to enroll in the MLT to MLS online program. The goals of the program are to facilitate educational mobility from the Medical Laboratory Technician at the associate degree level to the Medical Laboratory Scientist at the bachelor degree level, and to equip students with the knowledge and skills that will make them eligible for employment as Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS). Twenty-four hours of credit will be awarded to students who are graduates of an associate degree program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), who hold certification as an MLT/CLT. The program also prepares students for graduate-level study.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Graduates will demonstrate cognitive, psychomotor, and affective skills necessary to fulfill the roles and responsibilities of the entry-level medical laboratory scientist.

2. Graduates will demonstrate technical skills and delivery of reliable results with assurance and confidence in performing laboratory tasks.

3. Graduates will demonstrate appropriate professional communication skills, attitudes, and ethics required of medical laboratory scientists.

4. Graduates will integrate the role and services of medical laboratory scientists with the roles and services of other health care professionals in the delivery of patient care to the consumer/public.

5. Graduates will recognize that continuing education is necessary for maintenance, certification, and recertification as health care professionals.

6. Graduates will be academically prepared to apply and seek national certification by examination through the American Society for Clinical Pathology-Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC), or equivalent, national certification examination.

Accreditation

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 (www.naacls.org); telephone (773) 714-8880; FAX 773-714-8886.

Admission Requirements

1. Students must be unconditionally admitted to the university and declare Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) as their major.

2. Students must have attained an overall college grade point average of at least 2.5.

3. Students must have completed with a grade of “C” or higher all courses listed under the General Education Requirements and Additional Requirements sections of the MLSC curriculum.

4. Student must be a working MLT/CLT.

5. Students must be able to meet the program’s technical standards/essential requirements.

6. Students must be graduates of an MLT/CLT associate degree program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).

7. Students must hold certification as an MLT(ASCP), MLT(AMT), MLT(AAB) or CLT(NCA).

8. Students must have two years of work experience as an MLT/CLT generalist (or will have two years of generalist experience at the point that they sit for the ASCP-BOC or equivalent certification examination).

Progression Requirements

These following progression criteria apply to the student’s progress prior to and after enrollment in the MLT to MLS program:

1. Student must earn a grade of “C” or higher in each course required by the curriculum.

2. Student must maintain an overall grade point average of at least 2.0.

3. Student must complete the requirements shown in the MLSC Competency, Safety, and Capstone Verification sites, including the Safety Verification Quiz and receipt of the Student handbook activities, no later than the completion of their first MLSC course.

Note: Students may be dismissed from the program if their performance is unsatisfactory and/or if they fail on a second attempt to complete a MLSC course with a “C” or higher. If a student is not enrolled in a MLSC course for a semester, application for readmission to the MLS program is required.

Degree Requirements

1. Students must complete all of the requirements pertaining to bachelor degrees as specified in Degree Requirements .

2. Students must earn a grade of “C” or higher in all courses required by the curriculum.

3. Student must complete the requirements shown in the MLSC Competency, Safety, and Capstone Verification Sites, including submission of completed competency checklists and comprehensive capstone examination.

Degree Audit

A fillable degree audit sheet for students and their academic advisors is available here.

Course Sequencing

Course sequencing for the MLT-MLS student is dependent on entry date. There are six starting dates throughout the year. Courses are offered in a 7-week online format. Students who enroll in two courses per 7-week term can complete the program in as few as 20 months. Course sequencing will vary with entry point. Upon admission to the program an individualized curriculum plan will be developed for each student by an assigned advisor.