Students may apply for admission to the Saint Francis Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science if the student is a candidate for a baccalaureate degree in an affiliated university/college, or has a baccalaureate degree and meets the program academic prerequisite requirements.
Baccalaureate Candidate: 3+1 Option (3 years of college + 1 year medical laboratory science program internship)
Post Baccalaureate Candidate: 4+1 Option (Baccalaureate degree + 1 year medical laboratory science program internship)
Applicants who have not completed their degree must be eligible for a baccalaureate degree from the university/college at the completion of the medical laboratory science program.
Applicants who received their degree seven or more years before application will need to update coursework in Microbiology, Biochemistry, and Immunology with a C or better per course.
Applicants who possess a foreign baccalaureate degree must have their transcript evaluated by an American Society for Clinical Pathology-approved agency. Refer to ascp.org for a complete list of agencies.
Applicants who have prior laboratory experience may shorten their clinical laboratory experience by demonstrating competency on individual clinical performance evaluations and/or hospital final examinations.
Required Academic Prerequisites
Applicants must have a minimum overall grade point average of 2.5, and a 2.5 GPA in chemistry and biological science courses with a C or better in the required prerequisites and recommended courses.
Biology (minimum of 16 credit hours)
- Microbiology (Bacteriology)
- Immunology
- Human Anatomy or Human Physiology
- Biological Science Elective
Chemistry (minimum of 16 credit hours)
- Inorganic Chemistry (two courses)
- Organic Chemistry
- Biochemistry
Mathematics (minimum of 3 credit hours)
- College Algebra or higher
Recommended Courses
- Parasitology
- Mycology
- Computer Science/Information Systems
- Genetics
- Instrumentation
- Quantitative Analysis Statistics
- Cell/Molecular Biology
Prerequisites must be completed prior to admission to the medical laboratory science program.
Essential Functions for Admission
Essential functions represent the non-academic requirements of the program that students must possess to successfully participate in the program. The following is a list of technical abilities and skills:
- Manual Dexterity: Possess gross/fine motor skills with eye-hand coordination; grasp various-sized objects with one or both hands; twist and turn knobs; maneuver phlebotomy/microbiology equipment; manipulate/adjust pipettes; use computer keyboard and mouse; a sense of touch and temperature discrimination.
- Mobility: Move freely and safely in the clinical laboratory, patient-care areas, corridors, and elevators; able to reach laboratory instruments, equipment, countertops, shelves, and patients lying down or sitting up.
- Vision: Differentiate color shades and fine structural characteristics of specimens by macro/microscopic means; view charts, numbers, and graphs in print or on computer monitor; observe laboratory demonstration of techniques and test procedures; judge distance and depth accurately.
- Hearing: Possess normal or corrected hearing with or without the use of assistive devices.
- Speech: Communicate verbally with clarity in English to laboratory/healthcare staff in a timely manner (stat or critical test results); deliver oral presentations to laboratory staff and classmates.
- Writing: Exhibit legible penmanship in English.
- Reading: Read and comprehend technical and professional materials (textbooks, journals, instruction manuals) and practical examinations; follow directions printed in English.
- Standing/Sitting: Tolerate prolonged positioning for several hours due to repetitive tasks.
- Lifting: Lift and handle objects up to 50 pounds.
- Behavioral Stability: Remain calm and accurately perform lab duties during emergency and non-emergency situations; be flexible and adaptable to changes; work with infectious/biohazardous specimens and hazardous chemicals; work independently and with others; and demonstrate a professional image.
- Intellectual: Recall, apply and evaluate laboratory data; prioritize tasks; problem solve and troubleshoot situations; exhibit sound judgment for appropriate corrective actions.
Applicants are given an Essential Functions form to review, sign and return to the program director prior to the personal interview.
Apply to the Saint Francis Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science
For more information about the medical laboratory science profession, contact:
Nate Harden, MS, MLS(ASP)CM
Program Director
918-494-6342
Austin Reed, MS, MLS(ASP)CM
MLS Educator
918-494-1343