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BS MLS - Medical Laboratory Science (BS)

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SHRP-Medical Laboratory Science (Academic_Department) ACADEMIC_LEVEL_UNDERGRADUATE

Program Title

Medical Laboratory Science (BS)

Default Credentials

BS - Bachelor of Science

Program Description

The medical laboratory scientist is a highly skilled scientist who functions in multiple roles, to include performing and evaluating diagnostic laboratory procedures on body fluids, developing new diagnostic procedures, supervising biomedical research projects, providing technical expertise, consulting, managing clinical and research laboratory departments, and analyzing and implementing laboratory information systems. The major areas of interest in laboratory science are hematology, immunohematology (transfusion medicine), clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, clinical immunology, body fluid analysis and molecular diagnostics. Career opportunities for the medical laboratory scientist are readily available and include technical and management positions in hospitals and reference laboratories, research in biomedical companies, forensic medicine, public health, sales and marketing, private consulting, health care administration and education.

The baccalaureate degree program in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) is a five (5) semester, entry-level program for students who want to become certified as a medical laboratory scientist or molecular biologist. Upon completion of the program, students receive a Bachelor of Science degree and are eligible to apply to take national certification examinations. Be advised that a misdemeanor or felony conviction may affect a graduate's ability to sit for the certification examination or attain state licensure.

Accreditation Status

The Medical Laboratory Science program is programmatically accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119. NAACLS's phone number is (773) 714-8880. https://www.naacls.org/

Prepare graduates to perform entry-level competencies with laboratory skills, knowledge, and attitudes to increase the number of qualified and credentialed medical laboratory scientists in the state.

Provide continuing education programs and advanced graduate studies for continued professional growth.

Construct research and research methods for the continued refinement and improvement of medical laboratory services provided by a variety of health care facilities, agencies, hospitals, and institutions.

Incorporate habits for life-long learning into education, management, and supervision for the medical laboratory science profession.

Generate appropriate professionalism and team player synergy for the contemporary health care team.

Admission Requirements

In addition to the admission standards of the institution and the general admission requirements of the School of Health Related Professions, candidates seeking admission to the Medical Laboratory Science program must:

  1. Have completed a minimum of 60 semester hours of academic credit from an accredited institution of higher learning;

  2. Have completed a total of 12 semester hours in required science courses before the application deadline;

  3. Have an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale; and

  4. Successfully complete (a grade of C or better) the following minimum prerequisite requirements:

Prerequisite Courses

Number of Courses

Semester Hours

English Composition

2

6

College Algebra, Quantitative Reasoning or Higher Mathematics

1

3

Social or Behavioral Science¹

2

6

Humanities and Fine Arts²

3

9

Microbiology with Lab

1

4

Biological Sciences³

3

12

Chemistry with Lab⁴

1

4

Electives⁵

16

Total Prerequisites

60

¹Social and Behavioral Sciences include courses such as anthropology, economics, political science, psychology or sociology.

²Humanities and Fine Arts include courses such as art history, dance, history, modern languages, music, philosophy, religion or theatre.

³Biological Sciences include courses such as general biology, cell biology, anatomy and physiology, genetics, embryology and zoology. Science survey courses and science courses designed for non-majors are not acceptable for transfer credit.

⁴Chemistry courses such as inorganic, organic, biochemistry, and Principles of Chemistry are acceptable. Science survey courses and science courses designed for non-majors are not acceptable for transfer credit.

⁵Electives should be selected from a broad range of academic courses which may include anatomy and physiology, cell biology, genetics, embryology, calculus, management or computer applications.

Program Application Deadline

All application documents and the application fees must be received by the Office of Enrollment Management by April 1 for fall admission. General application information and application procedures may be found in the SHRP General Admission Requirements Policy in PolicyTech. The School reserves the right to consider and accept applications after the established deadline. To determine if a deadline has been extended, call the Office of Enrollment Management after the deadline at (601) 984-1080.

Degree Requirements

Candidates for the Medical Laboratory Science degree must have completed the prescribed curriculum with an overall cumulative grade point average of 2.00 or higher on a 4.00 scale. Following satisfactory completion of all requirements, students will be awarded the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree from the University of Mississippi. Due to the variability of available clinical sites, completion of the required curriculum may be extended beyond the minimum of 22 months.

Professional Course of Study

Junior Year

Fall

Semester Hours

MLS 311

Basic and Clinical Immunology

3

MLS 312

Essentials of Hematology

3

MLS 314

Essentials of Clinical Chemistry

3

MLS 315

Phlebotomy

2

MLS 327

Laboratory Operations

2

13

Spring

MLS 313

Clinical Bacteriology

3

MLS 324

Clinical Chemistry

3

MLS 325

Immunohematology I

3

MLS 416

Research Design and Statistics

3

MLS 417

Principles of Management and Education in MLS

1

13

Senior Year

Summer

MLS 322

Clinical Hematology

3

MLS 323

Mycology, Parasitology and Virology

3

MLS 405

Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics

3

MLS 332

Diagnostic Hemostasis

1

10

Fall

MLS 310

Body Fluid Analysis

3

MLS 328

Clinical Seminar

3

MLS 413

Diagnostic Microbiology

3

MLS 335

Immunohematology II

3

MLS 429

Clinical Correlations

2

14

Spring

MLS 442

Clinical Practicum I

3

MLS 443

Clinical Practicum II

3

MLS 444

Clinical Practicum III

3

MLS 445

Clinical Practicum IV

3

MLS 441

Medical Laboratory Science Capstone

2

14

Total Required Hours

64

Clinical Facilities

Clinical educational experiences in medical laboratory science may be provided in conjunction with the following health care facilities:

  • Baptist Medical Center: Leake County - Carthage, MS

  • Baptist Memorial Hospital: Golden Triangle - Columbus MS

  • Baptist Memorial Hospital: Union County - New Albany, MS 

  • King's Daughters Medical Center - Brookhaven, MS 

  • Merit Health Central – Jackson, MS

  • Merit Health Rankin - Brandon, MS 

  • Merit Health River Region - Vicksburg, MS 

  • Merit Health Woman’s Hospital – Flowood, MS

  • Ochsner Medical Center: Baptist – New Orleans, LA

  • Ochsner Medical Center: Hancock – Bay St. Louis, MS

  • Ochsner Medical Center: Kenner – Kenner, LA

  • Ochsner Medical Center – New Orleans, LA

  • Ochsner Medical Center: North Shore – Slidell, LA

  • Ochsner Medical Center: West Bank – Gretna, LA

  • Southwest Mississippi Medical Center - McComb, MS 

  • St. Dominic-Jackson Memorial Hospital – Jackson, MS

  • University of Mississippi Medical Center: Grenada – Grenada, MS

  • University of Mississippi Medical Center – Jackson, MS

For more information about this program, contact: