The pre-professional requirements of the MLS Program include successful completion of the University of Utah’s foundational courses, as well as pre-requisite courses including at least four semesters of chemistry, three semesters of biology, and two semesters of mathematics. Information on the general education and bachelor of science degree requirements for the University of Utah can be found at: https://us.utah.edu/general-education/mission.php.
For full-time students, the professional phase of the program consists of five consecutive semesters of MLS professional courses including three semesters of didactic coursework (junior year) and two semesters of clinical rotations at the MLS program’s affiliate clinical sites (senior year).
The junior year consists of on-campus classes and student laboratories in all of the major disciplines for entry-level competency as a Medical Laboratory Scientist including: clinical chemistry, hematology, hemostasis, immunology, immunohematology, transfusion medicine, microbiology and body fluids analysis. In addition to clinical rotations during the senior year, students complete on-campus courses in laboratory operations/management, education, research, and special topics.
Upon completion of university requirements and those of the MLS Program, which is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS– Rosemont, IL), graduates are awarded a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. Graduates are then eligible to apply for the national certification exam offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC). Applicants that successfully pass the ASCP Board of Certification examination receive certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist for three years and must participate in the Credential Maintenance Program to maintain certification thereafter. Graduates should be aware that there is a 5-year window in which to take the examination after program completion.
Note that graduation from the MLS Program is not contingent upon passing any external certifying examination.
These courses must be completed with a minimum grade of C minus before students can be admitted to full major status with the MLS Program. Note that courses may be in-progress at the time of application to the program. Offers of admission are contingent upon successful completion of all pre-requisite courses.
41 - 43 Total Credits
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BIOL1610 - Fundamental Principles of Biology I: Cells, Genetics, and Biochemistry (4) |
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BIOL2020 - Principles of Cell Biology (3) |
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BIOL2030 - Genetics (3) |
OR |
BIOL2210 - Human Genetics (3) |
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BIOL2325 - Human Anatomy (4) |
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BIOL2420 - Human Physiology (4) |
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CHEMISTRY PRE-REQUISITES |
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CHEM1210 - General Chemistry I (4) |
OR |
CHEM1211 - Honors General Chemistry I (4) |
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CHEM1215 - General Chemistry Laboratory I (1) |
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CHEM1240 - Honors General Chemistry Laboratory I (1) |
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CHEM1220 - General Chemistry II (4) |
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CHEM1221 - Honors General Chemistry II (4) |
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CHEM1225 - General Chemistry Laboratory II (1) |
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CHEM1241 - Honors General Chemistry Laboratory II (1) |
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CHEM2310 - Organic Chemistry I (4) (lab not required) |
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CHEM3510 - Biological Chemistry I (3) (lab not required) |
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BIOL3510 - Biological Chemistry I (3) |
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CHEM1120 - Elementary Bioorganic Chemistry (4)* |
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MATHEMATICS PRE-REQUISITES |
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MATH1050 - College Algebra (4) |
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MATH1080 -Precalculus (5) |
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MATH1210 - Calculus I (4) |
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MATH1040 - Introduction to Statistics and Probability (3) |
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MATH1070 - Introduction to Statistical Inference (3) |
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COMMUNICATIONS PRE-REQUISITE |
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Complete at least 1 course from COMM |
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*This course is no longer offered at the University of Utah, but students may complete it at another regionally-accredited college/university such as Salt Lake Community College.
A Sample 4-Year Plan for a full-time student is provided. To create an individualized course plan, please Schedule An Advising Appointment.
These courses are taken after students are admitted to the MLS Program.
56 - 59 Total Credits
- Complete all of the following
- Complete the following:
- MD LB3600 - Basic Techniques in Clinical Laboratory Science (1) (lab included)
- MD LB3850 - Body Fluids Analysis (2) (lab included)
- MD LB4100 - Clinical Immunology (2)
- MD LB4110 - Clinical Immunology Laboratory (1)
- MD LB4200 - Clinical Chemistry (4)
- MD LB4210 - Clinical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
- MD LB4300 - Clinical Hematology (3)
- MD LB4310 - Clinical Hematology Laboratory (2)
- MD LB4320 - Hemostasis (2) (lab included)
- MD LB4400 - Clinical Immunohematology (3)
- MD LB4410 - Clinical Immunohematology Laboratory (2)
- MD LB4500 - Pathogenic Microbiology (2)
- MD LB4510 - Pathogenic Microbiology Lab (1)
- MD LB4511 - Molecular Diagnostics (2) (lab included)
- MD LB4600 - Diagnostic Microbiology (2)
- MD LB4610 - Diagnostic Microbiology Lab (3)
- MD LB4620 - Parasitology and Mycology (2) (lab included)
- MD LB5100 - Principles of Education and Research Design (1)
- MD LB5130 - Laboratory Management and Supervision (1)
- MD LB5200 - Applied Clinical Chemistry I (3)
- MD LB5210 - Applied Clinical Chemistry II (1)
- MD LB5300 - Applied Clinical Hematology I (3)
- MD LB5310 - Applied Clinical Hematology II (1)
- MD LB5320 - Applied Clinical Hemostasis (1)
- MD LB5400 - Applied Clinical Immunohematology (3)
- MD LB5500 - Applied Clinical Microbiology I (3)
- MD LB5510 - Applied Clinical Microbiology II (1)
- MD LB5530 - Applied Clinical Immunology (1)
- MD LB5531 - Applied Molecular Diagnostics (1)
- Complete at least 1 of the following:
- Complete the following:
Grand Total Credits: 97 - 102
At the end of clinical rotations and before completion of the MLS Program, students must successfully pass a comprehensive exam administered by the MLS Program.
Students who wish to apply to the MLS Program should prepare for professional courses by completing the pre-requisite courses at a four-year college/university or a community college that offers equivalent courses. Students are advised to have strong backgrounds in chemistry, biology, and mathematics.
Admission is dependent upon selection by the Medical Laboratory Science Admissions Committee. Selection is based on evaluation of transcripts including repeated coursework. Requirements include a minimum GPA of 2.5 (both cumulative and math/science) and successful completion of pre-requisite university courses in chemistry, biology, and mathematics.
Applications from all qualified applicants will be reviewed by the MLS Admissions Committee. The committee consists of members of the MLS faculty. The selection process for the MLS Program is competitive and is based on a point ranking system.
The following criteria will be used to rank all qualified applicants:
- Academic achievement (4–16 points)
- Cumulative GPA
- Math/Science GPA
- Minimal repeats of prerequisite courses
- Essay questions (3–12 points)
- Relevance
- Organization/logic/clarity
- Writing style
- Experience (3–12 points)
- Laboratory experience (defined as experience outside of didactic courses)
- Work experience
- Extracurricular activities and community service
- Leadership potential
- Letters of Recommendation (1–4 points)
Enrollment is limited to ensure adequate space in the teaching laboratory and in the clinical rotations.
Beginning December 1st, the application instructions and forms will be accessible online. All applications need to be completed online through the Undergraduate Application portal. Applications must be submitted to the MLS Admissions Committee between January 1st and March 1st to be considered for admission to the program for the fall semester. Late applications may be considered on a case-by-case basis if space is available. Applicants will be notified by May of the Admissions Committee's decision and accepted students will begin the program in fall semester. A mandatory orientation session for accepted students is held one week before classes begin in the fall semester.
Offers of admission to the MLS program are conditional and contingent on the following criteria:
- Maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA and a minimum math/science GPA of 2.5.
- Completion of all pre-requisite courses with a minimum letter grade of C minus.
- Provision of documentation of vaccination status and/or approved medical or religious exemption, completed health history and physical examination form, and negative test result for tuberculosis.
- Successful completion of a background check.
- Completion of required safety trainings at the mandatory orientation for incoming MLS students.