Medical Laboratory Science, Certificate
Saint Louis University's medical laboratory science certificate offers students who have already obtained an undergraduate degree in an alternate field and are pursuing a career change a certificate to become a medical laboratory professional.
The certificate has three concentration options: clinical hematology, clinical microbiology and clinical chemistry.
Curriculum Overview
SLU's medical laboratory science certificate program's curriculum provides students with a strong science background, medically applied coursework and corresponding practicum experiences in the clinical laboratory.
Each program consists of two semesters of didactic coursework at the undergraduate level, followed by a clinical practicum that varies in length between five to seven weeks. The typical program takes between 12-18 months to complete.
Clinical and Research Opportunities
Clinical internship experiences in clinical practice settings (e.g., hospitals, clinics, reference labs, etc.) are a required component of SLU's medical laboratory science certificate curricula.
Careers
Graduates with a certificate in medical laboratory science are prepared to conduct and manage a broad spectrum of laboratory testing. Results of these tests are used to evaluate the health status of individuals, diagnose disease and monitor treatment efficacy. Graduates of this program frequently work in diagnostic, research and/or other laboratory settings.
Upon successfully completing the program, graduates are eligible for national certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) as categorical medical laboratory professionals.
Admission Requirements
- Completion of a conferred degree from an institution that is accredited by one of the regional accreditation agencies is required.
- Students must complete a combination of 30 credits (45 quarter credits) of biology, chemistry and/or medical sciences for program admission consideration.
- A college minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale, including a minimum 2.50 science/math GPA with at least a “C” in all biological sciences, chemistry and math is required.
International Applicants
All admission policies and requirements for domestic students apply to international students, along with the following:
- You must demonstrate English language proficiency.
- Proof of financial support must include:
- A letter of financial support from the person(s) or sponsoring agency funding your time at Saint Louis University.
- A letter from the sponsor's bank verifying that the funds are available and will be so for the duration of your study at the University.
- Academic records, in English translation, of students who have undertaken postsecondary studies outside the United States must include the courses taken and/or lectures attended, practical laboratory work, the maximum and minimum grades attainable, the grades earned or the results of all end-of-term examinations, and any honors or degrees received. WES and ECE transcripts are accepted.
Transcript Evaluation
Students interested in clinical hematology, clinical microbiology or clinical chemistry should contact Amanda Reed at amanda.reed@health.slu.edu or 314-977-8686 for transcript evaluation.
Admission Decisions
The number of students admitted into each certificate program is based on the availability of clinical placement sites for practicum experiences. No student will be admitted until clinical placement for practicum experiences has been secured.
In the event of a limited number of available placement spots, a competitive entry process based on GPA, previous coursework, and letters of recommendation will be used to admit students. Admission decisions will be made on or before June 1 to enter the fall cohort.
All applicants must meet the professional performance standards required for the profession.
Required Background Check
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 attend clinical rotations and/or to graduate from the program. A felony conviction will affect a graduate’s professional certification and professional practice eligibility.
Tuition
| Tuition | Cost Per Credit |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition | $1,920 |
Additional charges may apply. Other resources are listed below:
Information on Tuition and Fees
Scholarships and Financial Aid
Students who graduated with a bachelor's degree and are seeking a second bachelor's degree or post-baccalaureate certificate do not qualify for most SLU and federal financial aid.
Financial aid may be available in the form of federal loans, which require repayment. Federal loan eligibility is based on what was borrowed as an undergraduate student. (Find more information on loan limits.) Federal loan consideration requires a completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
Information on Federal and Private Loans
View the Preferred Private Lender List
Accreditation
The Medical Laboratory Science program at Saint Louis University has been continuously accredited since the graduation of its first class in 1933.
We are one of the oldest programs in the nation, founded in 1929, and boast over 90 years of educational service to the medical laboratory science profession.
The program is accredited by:
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018
phone: 773-714-8880
fax: 773-714-8886
www.naacls.org
Graduate certification rates demonstrating an average of at least 75% pass rate.
| Year | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
Graduation rates demonstrating an average of at least 70% of students who have begun the final half of the program go on to successfully graduate.
| Year | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
Graduate placement rates demonstrating that an average of at least 70% of respondent graduates either find employment in the field or a closely related field (for those who seek employment) or continue their education within one year of graduation.
| Year | Rate |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 100% |
| 2022 | 100% |
| 2023 | 100% |
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BLS 4130 | Principles & Techniques in Molecular Biology | 2 |
| BLS 4411 | Fundamentals of Immunology | 2 |
| BLS 4420 | Medical Immunology | 2 |
| MLS 3210 | Clinical Education & Laboratory Management | 2 |
| MLS 3400 | Laboratory Operations | 1 |
| Concentration | 14-16 | |
Select one of three concentrations: | ||
| Total Credits | 23-25 | |
Clinical Hematology Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BLS 3110 | Urinalysis & Body Fluids | 2 |
| BLS 4210 | Hematology | 4 |
| BLS 4220 | Hemostasis and Thrombosis | 2 |
| MLS 3150 | Urinalysis and Immunology Laboratory | 1 |
| MLS 4250 | Hematology Laboratory | 1 |
| MLS 4740 | Clinical Hematology Practicum | 2 |
| MLS 4750 | Clinical Hematology | 1 |
| MLS 4821 | Clinical Urinalysis and Phlebotomy | 1 |
| Total Credits | 14 | |
Clinical Microbiology Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BLS 4510 | Medical Microbiology | 4 |
| MLS 4520 | Medical Bacteriology | 2 |
| MLS 4541 | Medical Mycology and Parasitology | 3 |
| MLS 4550 | Medical Bacteriology Laboratory | 2 |
| MLS 4800 | Clinical Microbiology Practicum | 3 |
| MLS 4811 | Clinical Microbiology | 1 |
| Total Credits | 15 | |
Clinical Chemistry Concentration
| Code | Title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BLS 3110 | Urinalysis & Body Fluids | 2 |
| BLS 4110 | Medical Biochemistry I | 3 |
| BLS 4120 | Medical Biochemistry II | 2 |
| MLS 3150 | Urinalysis and Immunology Laboratory | 1 |
| MLS 4150 | Analytical Chemistry | 2 |
| MLS 4701 | Clinical Chemistry Practicum | 3 |
| MLS 4710 | Clinical Chemistry | 1 |
| MLS 4770 | Clinical Phlebotomy Practicum | 1 |
| MLS 4820 | Clinical Urinalysis Practicum | 1 |
| Total Credits | 16 | |
Continuation Standards
Students must maintain a minimum 2.50 grade point average (GPA).
Contact Doisy College of Health Sciences
Recruitment specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu