Medical Laboratory Science

Website: http://medicine.utah.edu/pathology/medical-laboratory-science/

27 S. Mario Capecchi Drive,
Salt Lake City, UT 84113

Phone: 801-581-7913

The MLS Undergraduate Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119. (773)-714-8880, http://www.naacls.org.

The performance of laboratory tests and analyses by medical laboratory scientists (MLS) aids in the diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease and the maintenance of health. Medical laboratory scientists perform diagnostic testing in clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, molecular diagnostics, hematology, and their related subspecialties. This NAACLS-accredited degree program provides students with entry-level knowledge and technical skills necessary to work as a medical laboratory scientist in a modern diagnostic medical laboratory. Students interested in learning more about the medical laboratory science profession can complete the introductory MD LB 1010: Survey of Medical Laboratory Sciences course.

The School of Medicine offers the following tracks for students pursuing certification as a medical laboratory scientist:

• Traditional 2+2 - two years of general education and preprofessional courses (pre-requisites) followed by two years of professional coursework upon acceptance to the MLS program. Culminates in a Bachelor of Science degree. Students may declare as a Pre-MLS major at any time, but admission to the MLS major is not guaranteed.

• Post-baccalaureate - graduates with a previous bachelor's degree (or higher) in a biological or chemical science complete 18-24 months of professional coursework once accepted to the MLS program. Post-baccalaureate applicants with a degree in other majors will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis for completion of pre-requisite courses. Students on this route complete the same professional course requirements as the traditional (2+2) route. Students may elect to pursue a second bachelor's degree on this track, but it is not required.

• Technologist (categorical) - individuals currently employed in a clinical laboratory may opt to pursue certification as a technologist in a specific discipline area. The curriculum for each discipline follows the requirements of that content area within the MLS Program. The student's employer must agree to serve as the clinical site for all required clinical experiences (rotations).

Students seeking their first bachelor's degree (2+2 track) typically apply to the program during their sophomore year and begin the professional coursework in their junior year. Students may declare as a Pre-MLS major at any time, but must apply and be accepted to the program before they will be declared in the full major. Applications for all tracks are accepted December 1 - February 15 for fall admission.

Once accepted to the program, full-time students complete three semesters of didactic coursework (fall, spring, summer) comprising the first professional year. Clinical experiences (rotations) at local laboratories are completed during the second or final year of study in addition to a capstone correlations course and didactic courses in management, education, and research design. The professional didactic courses for all tracks run concurrently and are only offered once per academic year.

After completing all professional MLS courses, students must successfully pass a departmental comprehensive examination. Students are eligible to take a national certification examination after completing all requirements of the MLS program.

Eligibility

• Completion of all general education and bachelor degree requirements prior to starting the MLS program is highly encouraged.

• Completion of the thirteen MLS prerequisite courses with a grade of C minus or higher prior to entering the program.

• Minimum cumulative and math/science GPAs of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale. Note: At the time of application, a combined GPA from all institutions attended will be calculated.

• The most competitive candidates will have had some employment experience in a laboratory setting, leadership opportunities, and community service.

If you are currently not a University of Utah student, you must also apply to the University of Utah's Office of Admissions (main campus) as well as the MLS program. Please note that meeting the minimum eligibility requirements for the University of Utah does not guarantee that an applicant will be admitted to the MLS program.

Prerequisites: Completion of all the prerequisite courses listed in the Degree Requirements section below is required prior to starting the MLS Program. All prerequisite courses must have a grade of C minus or better. It is the applicant's responsibility to submit updated transcripts to the University of Utah for all transfer work.

Application Requirements: Applications to the MLS program are accepted through an online application system accessible on the division's website. Application instructions are available on the division's website by Dec. 1. Complete application portfolios received between December 1 and February 15 will be reviewed for fall admission. The following is an overview of the application process:

Phase One - Application Portfolio Submission

• Completion of the online application form by the deadline.

• Completion or satisfactory plan for completion of all prerequisite and general education requirements prior to starting the MLS program.

• Current transcripts from all colleges/universities attended on file with the University of Utah.

• Cumulative and math/science GPAs of 2.5 or higher.

• Responses to provided essay questions received by the deadline.

• Updated resume highlighting work experience, community service, and leadership opportunities received by the deadline.

• Two letters of professional reference received by the deadline.

• Submitted application to the University of Utah.

Only applicants who meet the minimum requirements including submission of all required documents by the deadline will be advanced for Phase Two review.

Phase Two - Admissions Committee Review

Complete applications are carefully reviewed by the MLS Admissions Committee on the basis of academic qualifications as well as promise for success in the program and potential contributions to the profession. The Medical Laboratory Sciences Division adheres to the University of Utah's policy of nondiscrimination and equal opportunity in admission decisions. The admission process for the MLS program is based on the point ranking system outlined below.

• Academic Achievement (4 - 16 points)

  • Cumulative GPA

  • Math and science GPA

  • Repeated math and science courses will be reviewed for demonstration of academic progress

• Essay Question Responses (3 - 12 points)

  • Relevance

  • Organization, logic and clarity

  • Writing style (e.g., professional tone, free from spelling and grammatical errors)

• Experience (3 - 12 points)

  • Laboratory work experience

  • Non-laboratory work experience

  • Leadership and community service activities

• Letters of Recommendation (1 - 4 points)

• A personal interview may be conducted by the MLS Undergraduate Admissions Committee, if needed, to further assess applicant qualifications.

All applicants will receive notification of the Admissions Committee's decision by email. Admission is contingent upon successful completion of the prerequisite and general education courses with a minimum grade of C minus.

Students conditionally accepted to the MLS program must:

• Complete a one time, non-refundable acceptance fee.

• Provide proof of immunizations.

• Complete a physical examination.

• Attend a mandatory on-campus orientation held the week before the first week of fall semester classes.

• Pass a criminal background check prior to beginning their clinical rotations.

• Pass a urine drug test prior to beginning their clinical rotations.

https://majormaps.utah.edu/majors_list/view-major-map.php?plan_code=MDLS

https://advising.utah.edu/majors/quick-look/medical-laboratory-science.php