Medical Laboratory Science, B.S.

Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree prepares graduates to take a national certification exam to become a certified laboratory professional for a career as a health care professional in laboratory medicine. The medical laboratory science professional saves lives by performing and assuring the reliability of tests that provide objective information used in the early detection, diagnosis, monitoring and effective treatment of disease.

Up to 80 percent of all clinical decisions are impacted by clinical laboratory testing. The knowledge and skills required of the professionals are diverse, involving both scientific detective work and managerial competence. Each day offers a challenge, and the opportunities to learn are endless.

Students in SLU's medical laboratory science program have numerous opportunities for personal and professional growth through faculty, professional and peer interactions. Also, students are welcome as a member of a variety of professional organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) and the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

• SLU's MLS program was one of the first in the country; it has over 85 years of continuous accreditation.
• SLU's MLS program has guaranteed placement in clinical practicum training sites.
• SLU's MLS program boasts both a low student-faculty ratio and state-of-the-art medical laboratory science labs — both of which help to substantially enhance the experience of students.
• SLU's MLS graduates’ exam pass rates are consistently at or near 100 percent, as is graduate career placement rate.

Curriculum Overview

Following two years of core courses in basic sciences and the liberal arts, and one year of pre-clinical laboratory-related coursework, students will enter the practicum phase of the curriculum in a clinical setting under supervision.

Seniors spend 19 weeks in practicum during either the summer and fall semesters at a variety of hospital laboratories in the St. Louis and surrounding areas.

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

Students will have the opportunity to conduct research and produce projects and papers for publication and presentation at professional conferences.

Clinical internship experiences in clinical practice settings (e.g. hospitals, clinics, reference labs, etc.) are a required component of the medical laboratory science curriculum.  Regulations require all students to complete a criminal background check and a drug test at least once during the Program, either or both may be repeated as agency requirements demand. Positive results from the criminal background check or drug tests may result in ineligibility to graduate from the program. A felony conviction will affect a graduate’s eligibility for professional certification and professional practice.

Careers

In the area of career development, the program facilitates attendance of SLU's MLS students at state professional meetings. In addition, clinical affiliates in the St. Louis area frequently request that students seek part-time employment to garner clinical experience and are often retained as full-time employees upon graduation.

Benefits of SLU's MLS program also include several career opportunities. As a medical laboratory scientist, graduates will be qualified to work in five major areas of the laboratory: blood bank, chemistry, hematology, immunology and microbiology. Throughout the course of a typical workday, graduates might examine specimens under the microscope, operate complex computerized instrumentation, use immunologic methods to prepare units of blood for transfusion and/or identify disease-causing microorganisms.

While most medical laboratory science graduates work in a clinical laboratory in the areas of diagnostic testing and laboratory management, some choose positions in research, forensic science/crime laboratories, laboratory equipment companies or pharmaceutical/biotechnology industries. Many graduates choose to go directly to graduate, medical or professional schools.

Medical laboratory scientists are vital members of health care teams. As highly skilled bio-analysts, graduates contribute data critical to disease diagnosis and to patient treatment. In a typical laboratory setting, the medical laboratory scientist performs a full range of laboratory tests from blood smears for the detection of anemia to highly complex procedures used to diagnose and monitor the status of patients suffering from various forms of cancer.

Admission Requirements

Admission consideration for the medical laboratory science program is initially based on a strong overall academic background. 

Admission criteria include:

• Minimum GPA of 3.00 in high school chemistry, biology, mathematics and English
• Four years of high school math (with algebra) and English, with some physics recommended
• Minimum ACT score of 20 in each subsection or an SAT of 500 or above in each area

Transfer applicants must have a 2.5 GPA in math and science coursework and possess a 2.5 cumulative GPA. Interested applicants who do not meet all the admission requirements should still apply for individual consideration.

Scholarships and Financial Aid

There are two principal ways to help finance a Saint Louis University education:

• Scholarships: awarded based on academic achievement, service, leadership and financial need. In addition to University scholarships, the Doisy College of Health Sciences offers a scholarship to sophomores, juniors and seniors.
• Financial Aid: provided in the form of grants and loans, some of which require repayment.

For priority consideration for merit-based scholarships, applicants should apply for admission by Dec. 1 and complete a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by March 1.

For more information, visit the student financial services office online at http://finaid.slu.edu.

Accreditation

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
(773) 714-8880
http://naacls.org

Additional Accreditation Information

1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate respect for human life with regard to all aspects of laboratory testing.
2. Graduates will be able to communicate accurate laboratory information to members of the healthcare team.
3. Graduates will be able to apply critical reasoning to solve laboratory-based case studies.
4. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the application of laboratory principles.
5. Graduates will be able to adhere to the principles found in the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Professional Code of Ethics.

Students in Saint Louis University's medical laboratory science major take the following courses. 

Standard Track

Pre-Medicine Track

Pre-Physician Assistant and PA Scholar Track

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.50 grade point average (GPA).

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester.  Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Standard Track

Program Notes

Suggested Elective Options:

• Literature: Any 2XXX or 3XXX course which is designated as “Literature” requirement for English.
• Fine Arts: any course in: ART, ARTH, DANC, FPA, MUS, THR
• Social Science:  PSY 1010 General Psychology (3 cr) (recommended for all majors; required for students taking the MCAT), SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr) (required for students taking the MCAT), any course in: ANTH, PSYCH, SOC
• Philosophy/Theology: Any 2XXX level or above Philosophy (PHIL) or Theology (THEO) course.

Pre-Medicine Track

Program Notes

Curriculum is designed to address SLU’s Medical School requirements and is subject to change. If applying to a Medical School at another institution, please consult their website for specific requirements.

Suggested Elective Options:

• Literature: Any 2XXX or 3XXX course which is designated as “Literature” requirement for English.
• Fine Arts: any course in: ART, ARTH, DANC, FPA, MUS, THR
• Social Science: PSY 1010 General Psychology (3 cr) (recommended for all majors; required for students taking the MCAT), SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr) (required for students taking the MCAT), any course in: ANTH, PSYCH, SOC
• Philosophy/Theology: Any 2XXX level or above Philosophy (PHIL) or Theology (THEO) course.

Pre-Physician Assistant Track

Program Notes

Curriculum is designed to address SLU’s PA Program requirements and is subject to change. If applying to a PA Program at another institution, please consult their website for specific requirements.

Suggested Elective Options:

• Literature: Any 2XXX or 3XXX course which is designated as “Literature” requirement for English.
• Fine Arts: any course in: ART, ARTH, DANC, FPA, MUS, THR
• Social Science: PSY 1010 General Psychology (3 cr) (recommended for all majors; required for students taking the MCAT), SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr) (required for students taking the MCAT), any course in: ANTH, PSYCH, SOC
• Philosophy/Theology: Any 2XXX level or above Philosophy (PHIL) or Theology (THEO) course.

Physician Assistant Scholar Track

Program Notes

Curriculum is designed to address SLU’s PA Program requirements and is subject to change. If applying to a PA Program at another institution, please consult their website for specific requirements.

Suggested Elective Options:

• Literature: Any 2XXX or 3XXX course which is designated as “Literature” requirement for English.
• Fine Arts: any course in: ART, ARTH, DANC, FPA, MUS, THR
• Social Science: PSY 1010 General Psychology (3 cr) (recommended for all majors; required for students taking the MCAT), SOC 1100 Introduction to Sociology (3 cr) (required for students taking the MCAT), any course in: ANTH, PSYCH, SOC
• Philosophy/Theology: Any 2XXX level or above Philosophy (PHIL) or Theology (THEO) course.