Admission Information
Students are selected for admission to the School of Medical Laboratory Science on the basis of college performance, aptitude for medical laboratory science, interest, motivation and character.
A maximum of six students per year may be accepted, at the discretion of the program officials. There is no set number of students accepted from each educational affiliate. No advanced placement is offered at MBMC in the School of Medical Laboratory Science. Once a student is admitted to the program, the student must abide by all hospital employee handbook guidelines.
All Applicants – Basic Admission Criteria
All applicants must initially meet one of the following criteria:
1. Completion of a baccalaureate degree or higher prior to the start of the program, OR
2. Current enrollment at one of the program’s academic affiliates with eligibility for a baccalaureate degree, from the respective university, upon successful completion of the MLS program.
All applicants must also meet the following admission criteria. Any and all applicants who have met the minimum admission requirements seven or more years prior to application must complete additional academic work before qualifying.
GPA
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
- Minimum math & science GPA of 2.7 on a 4.0 scale
- Official transcripts should be sent directly from the registrar to the Program Director.
Prerequisite coursework
- Minimum of 16 semester (24 quarter) hours in Chemistry. Organic chemistry must be included. Biochemistry is recommended.
- Minimum of 16 semester (24 quarter) hours in Biology. Microbiology and Immunology must be included. Genetics, parasitology and molecular science courses are recommended.
- One course in mathematics is required. Minimum requirements are met by courses recognized as prerequisites for physics courses. Courses in statistics, computer science and physics are recommended.
- All prerequisite coursework must be complete before the program begins.
Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
- Minimum score of 3.0 on the Analytical section
- Minimum combined score of 280 on the Verbal & Quantitative sections
- Students should make a copy of their score report & send it to the Program Director, or attach it when completing the online application.
Essential Functions
The student must be able to master the following essential functions to participate in the MBMC program:
- Read and write effectively and legibly in the English language.
- Adequately communicate verbally and in writing with patients and staff in the English language.
- Demonstrate manual dexterity with good hand-eye coordination & near visual acuity to the degree that the student can utilize traditional computer keyboards and telephones, and handle patient specimens and chemicals (some hazardous).
- Hear instrument alarms & beeps, fire and other safety alarms, timers, and telephone/intercom communication.
- Stand and sit for extended periods of time, and perform repetitive motions.
- Move freely from one area to another, including lifting up to ten pounds, and reaching over and bending around instruments. Stand, walk, reach, lift, push, pull, bend, or stoop, to access reagents and supplies in refrigerators, freezers and incubators.
- See through a microscope and discriminate color reactions of special stains and other laboratory procedures.
- Concentrate on details for frequent periods of time & pay close attention to many integrated processes and details with frequent interruptions. Be mentally alert at all times.
- Monitor instruments, people and situations concurrently while performing job related tasks such as pipetting, pouring, etc. Make decisions with independent judgment & work under stressful situations.
- Wear personal protective equipment & be aware of potential exposure to contagious diseases and chemical irritants.
International Applicants – Additional Admission Criteria
An applicant who has obtained a degree outside of the United States must also meet the following criteria:
Transcript Evaluation
- International applicants who have been awarded a degree from an educational institution outside of the United States will be required to submit a transcript evaluation performed by one of the evaluation agencies listed by the ASCP Board of Certification.
- The transcript evaluation must be a course by course report listing the United States equivalency for each credential and United States semester credits & grades for each course.
- The completed evaluation should be sent directly from the agency to the Program Director.
United States Work Eligibility
- If an international applicant is selected for admission, he or she will be required to complete the Employment Eligibility Verification form I-9, and present documentation establishing identity and employer eligibility.
Other Program Requirements
Students accepted into the MLS program must successfully complete all MBMC pre-employment activities, including a criminal background check and drug screen, prior to the start of the program.
Application Documents and Deadline
The application deadline is December 15 for entrance into the class that begins the following August. If the regular class is not filled, students may be admitted at other times during the year at the discretion of program officials.