2016-2017 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Medical Laboratory Science - Program Description
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Health Professions section in this catalog.
Degree Offered: B.S. in medical laboratory science
Website: www.gvsu.edu/mls
Accreditation
The medical laboratory science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences; 5600 N. River Road; Suite 720; Rosemont, IL 60018.
Medical laboratory scientists perform complex analyses in order to develop data on the blood, tissues, and fluids of the human body. These laboratory tests play an important role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases. Medical laboratory scientists work in conjunction with pathologists and other physicians or scientists who specialize in clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology, and other biological sciences.
Medical laboratory scientists are held accountable for accurate results. They establish and monitor quality assurance and quality improvement programs and design or modify procedures as necessary. Tests and procedures performed by medical laboratory scientists' focus on the major areas of hematology, microbiology, immunology, clinical chemistry, transfusion medicine, and urinalysis.
Medical laboratory science students will spend five semesters completing their general education and prerequisite science courses, followed by three semesters of professional courses. Application for admission into the medical laboratory science program occurs one year prior to the beginning of winter semester admission. Students with an earned baccalaureate degree who have completed appropriate prerequisite courses may also apply for admission.
After successful admission to the program, students complete three semesters of professional coursework which includes classes at the Cook-DeVos Center for Health Sciences and clinical rotation through an affiliated hospital laboratory. During this time, students integrate the theories of clinical medicine with the practice of clinical laboratory procedures. The students first learn basic theories and skills in hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, transfusion medicine and microbiology, and then progress through advanced courses in these areas. Students will learn to apply the knowledge and technical skills taught in the classroom.
At the completion of the medical laboratory science program, students will be awarded a Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree from Grand Valley State University in medical laboratory science and will be eligible to sit for the national certification exam. Granting of the baccalaureate degree is not contingent on passing the national Board of Certification (BOC) exam.
Admission to the Medical Laboratory Science Program
Admission to the medical laboratory science program will be competitive, requiring completion of a secondary application. Applications are due February 15 of the sophomore year. Late applications will be considered assuming requirements are met and space is available in the program. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Academic achievement. Students must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.8 and a science GPA of 2.8 or above. Completion of BMS 208, BIO 120, CHM 109, and completion of 45 semester hours of credit.
- Communication and interpersonal skills.
- Recommendations. Three recommendations must be submitted on university forms-one from a chemistry faculty, one from a science laboratory faculty, and the third source is the choice of the applicant.
- Additional activities. Additional educational, professional, leadership, scholarly, and volunteer activities are valued and should be documented.
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Students should be aware that prior to the beginning of their clinical courses, they must complete comprehensive health compliance obligations including but not limited to a criminal background check and drug screening. It is the responsibility of the student to comply. If there is a positive result, the clinical sites have the right to refuse a student's placement which may negatively impact a student's ability to progress in the Medical Laboratory Science program. In addition, individuals who have been charged with or convicted of a crime may not be eligible for national certification by the American Society for Clinical Pathology - Board of Certification. Students to whom this may apply are strongly advised to work with the ASCP-BOC for pre-application review of eligibility for certification from their website at www.ascp.org/Board-of-Certification . The ASCP-BOC contact information: Phone: (800) 267-2727; Fax: 312-541-4472.
The following program is available: