The University of Utah’s Medical Laboratory Science Program offers an option for graduates from a regionally accredited college/university that have a recent, prior baccalaureate degree (or higher) in a biological, chemical, or physical science, the opportunity to complete the MLS Program as a second-degree-seeking or non-degree seeking student. Students with a prior degree in other majors or those whose degree is older than 7 years, 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. 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 (second year).
The first year consists of on-campus classes and student laboratories 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 senior 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 B.S. 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). Applicants that successfully pass the ASCP Board of Certification 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 all of the following
- 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:
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 as a post-baccalaureate student must have a bachelor’s degree or higher.
Admission is dependent upon selection by the Medical Laboratory Science Admissions Committee. Selection is based on evaluation of transcripts including repeated coursework. Requirements include a minimum GPA of 2.5 (both cumulative and math/science) and successful completion of prerequisite university courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics as necessary based on their first degree.
Applications from all qualified applicants will be reviewed by the MLS Admissions Committee. The committee consists 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 prerequisite courses
- Essay questions (3–12 points)
- Relevance
- Organization/logic/clarity
- Writing style
- Experience (3–12 points)
- Laboratory experience (defined as experience outside of didactic courses)
- Work experience
- Extracurricular activities and community service
- Leadership potential
- 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 to the MLS Admissions Committee between January 1st and March 1st 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 by May 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 at the mandatory orientation for incoming MLS students.