Medical Laboratory Science M.S.M.L.S.

OSRHE Program Code: 215
CIP Code: 511005
Major Code: 7619
Pathway Codes:

• Advanced Pathway - 7618
• Traditional Pathway - 7617

Purpose

The Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MSMLS) program provides students with educational courses that include an emphasis on laboratory leadership in order that they may go beyond being a bench scientist to becoming a lead or shift supervisor, manager, or director in the medical laboratory field.  The Advanced Standing Pathway is for students that have a BS or BA degree and are currently a certified MLS with ASCP, AMT, or an approved certification agency.  The Traditional Pathway is for students with a BS or BA degree that wish to become a MLS and be eligible to take the ASCP or AMT certification examination while completing a graduate degree.

Specialty Accreditation

The Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119. http://www.naacls.org

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate laboratory leadership to initiate change and improvement in quality, safety, and outcomes in the medical laboratory field.
2. Evaluate technology and other resources effectively.
3. Apply research knowledge and critique skills when evaluating possible changes in the medical laboratory.
4. Compare and contrast the different regulatory agencies.
5. Demonstrate knowledge in all departments of the medical laboratory field.
6. Compare and contrast the different types of testing methodology and instrumentation in the medical laboratory.

Admission, Retention, and Graduation

General Admission Requirements*

Beyond admission requirements for the Graduate College, admission to the Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program requires the following:

• Cumulative Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. 

*Conditional Admission. For those persons who individuals who wish to pursue a degree, but are unable to meet the undergraduate GPA requirements, conditional enrollment may be allowed as follows:

• Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 - 2.99 may be granted conditional admission and may only take 6 hours a semester and must maintain a GPA of 3.0 for the first 12 hours.  Full admittance will be considered by the Admissions Committee at the completion of 12 credit hours upon the written request of the student. 

3. For MSMLS Traditional Pathway applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses, or their equivalent, with a grade of “C” or better.

• College Algebra
• Chemistry I
• Essentials of Organic Chemistry or Organic Chemistry I
• Pathogenic/Medical Microbiology
• Virology/Parasitology/Mycology
• Immunology
• Genetics

4. Submission of the MLS program application packet.

Retention and Graduation

The candidate for the Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree must satisfy the following requirements:

1. Monitor degree progress using the degree audit system in the goNSU portal.
2. Meet Graduate College policies detailed in Academic Information  and Master’s Degree Requirements  regarding GPA, minimum grades, coursework age, residency and institutional / state regulations governing degree conferral.
3. Students must receive a grade of “C” or above in each course and maintain a GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
4. MSMLS Traditional Pathway students must complete laboratory competencies required to meet NAACLS requirements in order to graduate. 

Credit for Prior Learning

A MSMLS student in the traditional pathway may be eligible for advanced standings for Clinical Practicum I, II, and III or a specific department subject if he/she meets the following criteria:

• Is a Medical Laboratory Technician or a Categorical (ASCP, AMT, or an approved certification agency)

AND

• Has worked in an accredited medical laboratory for at least 2 years post certification.

Program Dismissal Standards

Students earning a grade below a “C” and/or with a GPA <3.0 are placed on academic probation for one semester. Once on probation, the student will be put on a plan of study for part-time enrollment until the course with the below par grade is retaken and passed with a “C” or above and GPA is >3.0.  A second course grade below a “C” and/or GPA <3.0 will result in suspension from the Graduate College and termination from the program.  The student may apply for re-admission into the program one time after one year.  However, any previous courses that are specifically in the Traditional Pathway, cannot be older than 4 years old.