Post-Baccalaureate Program
The University of Utah’s Medical Laboratory Science Program offers an option for graduates from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university that have a recent, prior baccalaureate degree (or higher) the opportunity to complete the MLS Program as a second-degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Students should meet with the MLS Academic Advisor to determine what pre-requisite course(s) should be completed/repeated.
Students on this track complete their required professional coursework concurrently with the first-degree seeking undergraduate students majoring in Medical Laboratory Science. 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 (first year) and two semesters of clinical rotations at the MLS Program’s affiliate clinical sites (final 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.
The first year consists of on-campus classes and laboratory sessions in all of the major disciplines for entry-level competency as a Medical Laboratory Scientist including: clinical chemistry, hematology, hemostasis, immunology, immunohematology, transfusion medicine, microbiology and body fluids analysis. In addition to clinical rotations during the final year, students complete on-campus courses in laboratory operations/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), degree-seeking graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. Students completing the post-baccalaureate program are 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. Students should be aware that there is a 5-year window in which to take the examination after completing the MLS Program.
Note that graduation from the MLS Program is not contingent upon passing any external certifying examination.
Second-degree seeking students must matriculate at the University of Utah and complete university requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree in addition to the requirements of the MLS Program. However, many of the University of Utah’s requirements may be satisfied by the student’s first baccalaureate degree. Individuals interested in the post-baccalaureate program are strongly encouraged to meet with the MLS Academic Advisor in order to review their previous coursework.
Non-degree seeking students must apply to the University of Utah for admission, but do not matriculate. Students on this pathway are only required to complete the requirements of the MLS Program. They will not receive a degree upon program completion; however, the MLS Program Director will provide non-degree seeking students with a formal letter attesting to satisfactory completion of all program requirements.
These courses are taken after students are fully admitted to 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.
56 - 59 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:
- Optional Elective Courses:
A Sample 2-Year Plan for a full-time student is provided.
Individuals interested in the post-baccalaureate program are strongly encouraged to meet with the MLS Academic Advisor in order to review their previous coursework and develop an individualized course plan. To create an individualized plan, please Schedule An Advising Appointment.
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 on this route must have a bachelor's degree or higher from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university. Students are advised to have a strong background in chemistry, biology, and mathematics.
Admission is dependent upon selection by the MLS Admissions Committee. Requirements include a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 and successful completion of pre-requisite courses as needed based on their prior degree. Selection is based on review of official transcripts, the applicant's responses to the essay prompts, the applicant's work, leadership, service history, and their references.
Completed 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 (16 points)
- Essay responses (12 points)
- Experience (12 points)
- References (4 points)
Enrollment is limited to ensure adequate space in the teaching laboratory and in the clinical rotations.
Beginning December 2nd, 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 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. Students offered a position in the program must pay a one time, non-refundable acceptance fee ($75) to hold their position. A mandatory orientation session for conditionally admitted students is held the 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, as applicable.
- Provision of documentation of immunization status and/or approved medical or religious exemption, completed health history and physical examination form, and negative screening for tuberculosis.
- Completion of all 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.