The pre-professional requirements of the MLS Program include successful completion of the University of Utah’s foundational courses, as well as pre-requisite courses including at least four semesters of chemistry, three semesters of biology, and two semesters of mathematics. Information on the general education and bachelor of science degree requirements for the University of Utah can be found at: https://us.utah.edu/general-education/mission.php.
Students accepted into the MLS Program begin coursework in Fall semester. For full-time students, the professional phase of the program consists of five consecutive semesters of MLS courses including three semesters of didactic coursework (junior year) and two semesters of clinical rotations at the MLS program’s affiliate clinical sites (senior year). For part-time students, the professional phase of the program consists of seven semesters, including five semesters of didactic coursework and two semesters of clinical rotations.
Students planning to earn an Honors Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science must also complete the degree requirements set forth by the Honors College including completion of four Honors core courses, nine credits of Honors elective courses, and an Honors thesis with the MLS Program (MD LB 4999). Additional information on Honors requirements can be found on the Honors College website.
The junior year consists of on-campus classes and laboratory sessions in the four major disciplines of hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology and immunohematology. In addition to clinical rotations during the senior year, students take on-campus courses in molecular diagnostics, management, education, research, and special topics.
Upon completion of university requirements and those of the MLS Program, which is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS– Rosemont, IL), graduates are awarded an Honors Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. Graduates are then eligible to apply for the national certification exam offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) on route 1. Applicants that successfully pass the ASCP BOC examination receive certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist for three years and must participate in the Credential Maintenance Program to maintain certification thereafter. Graduates should be aware that there is a 5-year window in which to take the examination after program completion.
Note that graduation from the MLS Program is not contingent upon passing any external certifying examination.
These courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C minus before students can be admitted to full major status with the MLS Program. Note that courses may be in-progress at the time of application to the program. Offers of admission are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-requisite courses.
41-43 Total Credits
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BIOLOGY PRE-REQUISITES |
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BIOL1610 - Fundamental Principles of Biology I: Cells, Genetics, and Biochemistry (4) |
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BIOL2020 - Principles of Cell Biology (3) |
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BIOL2030 - Genetics (3) |
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BIOL2210 - Human Genetics (3) |
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BIOL2325 - Human Anatomy (4) |
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BIOL2420 - Human Physiology (4) |
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CHEMISTRY PRE-REQUISITES |
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CHEM1210 - General Chemistry I (4) |
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CHEM1211 - Honors General Chemistry I (4) |
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CHEM1215 - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1) |
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CHEM1240 - Honors General Chemistry Laboratory I (1) |
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CHEM1220 - General Chemistry II (4) |
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CHEM1221 - Honors General Chemistry II (4) |
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CHEM1225 - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1) |
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CHEM1241 - Honors General Chemistry Laboratory II (1) |
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CHEM2310 - Organic Chemistry I (4) (lab not required) |
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CHEM3510 - Biological Chemistry I (3) (lab not required) |
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BIOL3510 - Biological Chemistry I (3) |
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CHEM1120 - Elementary Bioorganic Chemistry (4)* |
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MATHEMATICS PRE-REQUISITES |
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MATH1050 - College Algebra (4) |
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MATH1080 -Precalculus (5) |
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MATH1210 - Calculus I (4) |
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MATH1040 - Introduction to Statistics and Probability (3) |
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MATH1070 - Introduction to Statistical Inference (3) |
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COMMUNICATIONS PRE-REQUISITE |
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Complete at least 1 course from COMM |
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*This course is no longer offered at the University of Utah, but students may complete it at another regionally-accredited college/university such as Salt Lake Community College.
A Sample 4-Year Plan for a full-time student is provided.
It is strongly recommended that all general education, bachelor of science, and Honors core/elective courses be completed prior to beginning the MLS Program. Students pursuing an Honors degree should meet with the MLS thesis advisor to discuss a timeline for completion of their thesis work. In general, students should plan to complete their thesis research the summer prior to starting the MLS Program.
To create an individualized course plan, please Schedule An Advising Appointment.
These courses are taken after students are admitted to full major status in the MLS Program. At the time of application to the MLS Program, students elect to complete the professional curriculum on a part-time or full-time basis.
59 - 62 Total Credits
- Complete the following didactic courses:
- MD LB3600 - Basic Techniques in Clinical Laboratory Science (1) (lab included)
- MD LB3850 - Body Fluids Analysis (2) (lab included)
- MD LB4100 - Clinical Immunology (2)
- MD LB4110 - Clinical Immunology Laboratory (1)
- MD LB4200 - Clinical Chemistry (4)
- MD LB4210 - Clinical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
- MD LB4300 - Clinical Hematology (3)
- MD LB4310 - Clinical Hematology Laboratory (2)
- MD LB4320 - Hemostasis (2) (lab included)
- MD LB4400 - Clinical Immunohematology (3)
- MD LB4410 - Clinical Immunohematology Laboratory (2)
- MD LB4500 - Pathogenic Microbiology (2)
- MD LB4510 - Pathogenic Microbiology Lab (1)
- MD LB4511 - Molecular Diagnostics (2) (lab included)
- MD LB4600 - Diagnostic Microbiology (2)
- MD LB4610 - Diagnostic Microbiology Lab (3)
- MD LB4620 - Parasitology and Mycology (2) (lab included)
- MD LB5100 - Principles of Education and Research Design (1)
- MD LB5130 - Laboratory Management and Supervision (1)
- Complete the following clinical rotations:
- MD LB5200 - Applied Clinical Chemistry I (3)
- MD LB5210 - Applied Clinical Chemistry II (1)
- MD LB5300 - Applied Clinical Hematology I (3)
- MD LB5310 - Applied Clinical Hematology II (1)
- MD LB5320 - Applied Clinical Hemostasis (1)
- MD LB5400 - Applied Clinical Immunohematology (3)
- MD LB5500 - Applied Clinical Microbiology I (3)
- MD LB5510 - Applied Clinical Microbiology II (1)
- MD LB5530 - Applied Clinical Immunology (1)
- MD LB5531 - Applied Molecular Diagnostics (1)
- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- Complete the Honors Thesis Course
- MD LB4999 – Honors Thesis
- Optional Elective Courses:
Grand Total Credits: 100-105 (does not include Honors Core/Elective courses)
At the end of clinical rotations and before completion of the MLS Program, students must successfully pass a comprehensive exam administered by the MLS program.
Students who wish to apply to the MLS Program should prepare for professional courses by completing the pre-requisite courses at a four-year college/university or a community college that offers equivalent courses. Students are advised to have strong backgrounds in chemistry, biology, and mathematics.
Admission is dependent upon selection by the Medical Laboratory Science Admissions Committee. Requirements include a minimum GPA of 2.5 (both cumulative and math/science) and successful completion of pre-requisite university courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics. Selection is based on review of official transcripts, responses to the essay questions, the applicant's work and service history, and the letters of recommendation
Applications from all qualified applicants will be reviewed by the MLS Admissions Committee, which is comprised of members of the MLS faculty. The selection process for the MLS Program is competitive and is based on a point ranking system.
The following criteria will be used to rank all qualified applicants:
- Academic achievement (4–16 points)
- Cumulative GPA
- Math/Science GPA
- Minimal repeats of pre-requisite courses
- Essay responses (3–12 points)
- Relevance
- Organization/logic/clarity
- Writing style
- Experience (3–12 points)
- Laboratory experience (defined as experience outside of didactic courses)
- Work experience
- Community service
- Leadership experience
- Letters of Recommendation (1–4 points)
Enrollment is limited to ensure adequate space in the teaching laboratory and in the clinical rotations.
Beginning December 1st, the application instructions and forms will be accessible online. All applications need to be completed online through the Undergraduate Application portal. Applications must be submitted by February 15th to be considered for admission to the program for the Fall semester. Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis if space is available. Applicants will be notified in early April of the Admissions Committee's decision and accepted students will begin the program in Fall semester. A mandatory orientation session for accepted students is held one week before classes begin in the Fall semester.
Offers of admission to the MLS Program are conditional and contingent on the following criteria:
- Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA and a minimum math/science GPA of 2.5.
- Completion of all pre-requisite courses with a minimum letter grade of C minus.
- Provision of documentation of vaccination status and/or approved medical or religious exemption, completed health history and physical examination form, and negative test result for tuberculosis.
- Successful completion of a background check.
- Completion of required safety trainings.
Applicants offered admission to the MLS Program have the option to request a one year deferral. After payment of the one time, non-refundable deferral fee ($150), the applicant's position will be held for one year without them having to reapply for admission.