Click here for updates on COVID-19

Medical Laboratory Science - Traditional Track

  2. Academics
  3. Academic Programs
  4. Medical Laboratory Science
  5. Medical Laboratory Science - Traditional Track

The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program prepares graduates to analyze clinical specimens through use of specialized skills and sophisticated instrumentation. Information from the analysis of specimens provides data critical for patient diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, or disease prevention. Scientists work in hospitals, forensics, public health, industrial/research laboratories, physician offices, and blood banks.

School
School of Health Professions
Career
Medical laboratory scientists in hospitals, labs or clinics. Job opportunities in the field of MLS may also be listed by alternative names including medical lab technologist or clinical laboratory scientist.
Program Contacts

Medical Laboratory Science at FranU

Program Specific Admission Requirements

Applications for admission to the Bachelor of Science degree program are due on or before March 15th each academic year.

Guaranteed Admission

There are two ways in which students can qualify for guaranteed admission into the Medical Laboratory Science Program:

  1. A student who enters the University as a freshman is guaranteed admission when:
    • All prerequisite courses towards the degree are taken at FranU with at least a grade point average of 3.0 on all prerequisite coursework.
    • All other minimum program admission requirements are met.
  2. A transfer student is guaranteed admission when:
    • More than 30 hours of required coursework in the program (including courses that are in progress at the time of application to the University) are transferred in with at least a grade point average of 3.2 in these courses.
    • A grade point average of at least 3.0 is maintained while completing remaining prerequisite courses at the University.
    • All other minimum admission requirements are met.

**Students transferring in less than 30 hours of coursework may be considered for guaranteed admission. Students falling in this category should call the Admission Office (225-526-1631)**

Upon entry into the clinical portion of the program, ALL students must have successfully completed all program specific admission requirements.

Admission Requirements

  1. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
  2. Completion of the following general education requirements and program prerequisites with a grade of "C" or better:
  • ASCM1110 Academic Seminar (1 credit hour)
  • WRIT 1310 College Writing I (3 credit hours)
  • WRIT 1311 College Writing II (3 credit hours)
  • THEO 1310 Introduction to Theology (3 credit hours)
  • COMM Elective (3 credit hours)
  • MATH 1315 College Algebra (3 credit hours)
  • MATH 2000 Level (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 1315 Biology for Majors (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 1315L Biology for Majors Laboratory (1 credit hour)
  • BIOL 2310 Human Anatomy and Physiology I ( (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 2310L Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory ( (1 credit hour)
  • BIOL 2311 Human Anatomy and Physiology II ( (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 2311L Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory ( (1 credit hour)
  • BIOL 2325 Fundamentals of Microbiology (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 2325L Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory (1 credit hours)
  • CHEM 1315 General Chemistry I (3 credit hours)
  • CHEM 1315L General Chemistry I Laboratory (1 credit hour)
  • CHEM 1316 General Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
  • CHEM 1316L General Chemistry II Laboratory (1 credit hour)
  • CHEM 2000 Level (3 credit hours)
  • Humanities electives (3 credit hours)
  • Social/Behavioral Science electives (6 credit hours)
  • Ethics/Philosophy elective (3 credit hour)
  • MLSC 1110 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Sciences (1 credit hour)
  • MLSC 1310L Introduction to Laboratory Methods (1 credit hour)

Program Mission

The mission of the Medical Laboratory Science program of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is to educate and form highly skilled servant leaders who model professional ethics and exhibit critical thinking skills in order to serve patients by producing quality laboratory test results.

Program Goals

The goals of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program are to:

  1. Admit, retain, and graduate a diverse population of academically qualified students
  2. Provide a high quality educational experience which imparts to the students the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure success as a clinical laboratory professional
  3. Provide the healthcare community with knowledgeable and skilled entry-level practitioner
  4. Promote within the classroom and encourage in the clinical setting the development of: a) Franciscan values as defined by the University mission statement and Ex Corde Ecclesiae, and b) professional ethics and conduct according to the standards of the profession and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Upon completion of the program, the graduate will be able to:

  1. Apply knowledge of basic/advanced laboratory science concepts and theories to the practice of clinical laboratory medicine
  2. Evaluate discipline specific case studies, accurately interpreting the results of laboratory testing
  3. Competently perform manual and automated laboratory science procedures as an entry level practitioner
  4. Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills within the academic and clinical setting
  5. Demonstrate Franciscan values and professional ethics/conduct within the academic and clinical setting

FAQs

Is a career in Medical Laboratory Science right for me?

If you are a problem solver with a passion for the science laboratory and attention to detail and you desire to work in a carreer which can help people, MLS may be the right profession for you.

I already have a Bachelor's degree, can I enter directly into the MLS program?

In most cases, yes. Please contact Deborah Fox (Deborah.fox@franu.edu, 225-768-1727) for a complete transcript review. Most science-based Bachelor's degrees include the appropriate credits to transfer directly into the MLS program and begin the 18-month curriculum.

When does the MLS program start?

The MLS program accepts a new cohort of students to begin in the summer semester each year.

Is this a good major to choose if I am considering a future graduate degree such as Physician Assistant, Medical or Veterinary School?

Yes, the MLS curriculum and experience within the MLS field provides an exceptional foundation for advanced career opportunities. Several graduates of the MLS program have chosen to continue their education in graduate school and all have been very successful in advanced healthcare coursework.

Can I take a MLS course if I am not a MLS major?

Yes, contact Deborah Fox (Deborah.fox@franu.edu, 225-768-1727) to find out which MLS courses are available to non-MLS students who have taken the appropriate pre-requisite coursework.

Resources

Document Title Type File Size
Document Title: MLS Handbook Type: pdf File Size: 698.87 KB Download
Document Title: NAACLS Defined Program Outcomes Nov 2023 Type: docx File Size: 30.946 KB Download

Accreditation

Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges to award associate, baccalaureate, masters, and doctorate degrees. Questions about accreditation of Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).

The Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Medical Laboratory Science (NAACLS, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 or call 773-714-8880).

Curriculum