Medical Laboratory Science

CLINICAL TRACK

Students selecting the MLS-Clinical track spend their freshman, sophomore, and junior years and the fall semester of their senior year on the university campus. During the spring semester of the senior year, these students take clinical internship at one of the clinical affiliates. Clinical internship positions are limited. Selection to fill available positions will be based on established criteria. Students will be evaluated based on academic performance, interview(s) by clinical faculty, and references.

The students enrolled in this track may follow the generalist (medical technologist) curriculum to become certified as a medical technologist or choose to specialize in either Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Hematology, Clinical Immunohematology, or Clinical Chemistry. Students choosing the medical technology option will spend 26 weeks at a clinical affiliate where they complete clinical courses in Advanced Clinical Microbiology (MLS 751), Advanced Clinical Hematology (MLS 752), Advanced Clinical Immunohematology (MLS 753), and Advanced Clinical Chemistry (MLS 754). Upon successful completion of this program, students are awarded a B.S. degree and are eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) and National Certification Agency (NCA) certification examinations. Students choosing the categorical option will spend 24 weeks at a clinical internship site where they complete either Clinical Microbiology Internship (MLS 761), Clinical Hematology Internship (MLS 762), Clinical Immunohematology Internship (MLS 763), or Clinical Chemistry Internship (MLS 764). Upon successful completion, students are awarded a B.S. degree and are eligible to take the ASCP and NCA categorical examinations in their specialty area.

The graduates of the MLS-Clinical Track perform various medical laboratory tests and provide the diagnostic assistance required in modern patient care. These professionals are vital members of the health care team. Also, they perform various analytical procedures in a wide variety of biomedical laboratories. These graduates are employed in hospitals, biotechnology, research, industry, education, and a variety of other health care settings.

All students participating in clinical courses must purchase liability insurance and show evidence of selected immunizations. Internship fees will be charged by the clinical affiliates in some instances.

Clinical Track: Academic Requirement

Students pursuing a degree in the MLS-Clinical track must obtain a grade of C or better in all MLS courses. The students must have achieved a minimum 2.5 cumulative grade-point average (GPA) at the end of their junior year. A personal interview at the clinical affiliate is required. This interview evaluates a student's understanding of the profession, communication skills, maturity, self-confidence, and supervisory potential. Students must demonstrate these attributes to participate in the clinical courses.