2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog
Medical Laboratory Science
For additional information about opportunities your college offers, please refer to the College of Health Professions section in this catalog.
Website: gvsu.edu/mls
Degree Offered
B.S. in medical laboratory science
Medical laboratory science is an undergraduate field of study that prepares graduates to become certified medical laboratory scientists (MLS). Medical laboratory scientists are essential health care professionals; they perform clinical laboratory tests that aid in the detection, diagnosis, monitoring, and treatment of disease. Blood, tissue, urine, and other body fluids are examined and analyzed, and results of these complex chemical, biological, hematological, immunologic, microscopic, and bacteriological tests provide important decision-making information to a patient's medical team. Medical laboratory scientists work primarily in hospital settings, however, job opportunities exist in molecular, research, forensic, and veterinary labs, as well as in instrument training/sales, lab management, and education. Medical laboratory scientists are required to use significant analytical and independent judgment; their technical skills are in high demand.
Accreditation
The medical laboratory science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Contact information for NAACLS: naacls.org; email: [email protected]; telephone: (773) 714-8880; address: 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018.
Admission to the Medical Laboratory Science Program
Admission to the medical laboratory science program is competitive, requiring completion of a secondary application. Please visit gvsu.edu/mls and our CHPSS webpage for all admission/application information gvsu.edu/chpss/medical-laboratory-science-112.htm. Late applications will be considered assuming requirements are met and space is available in the program. Applicants must meet the following criteria:
- Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 2.8
- Resume
- Statement of Professional Philosophy (1-2 pages) - Why have you chosen MLS as a profession?
- Verification of Course Completion form
- Two MLS recommendation forms completed by the respondents as follows: One recommendation must be completed by a university faculty member (preferably a laboratory instructor). The other recommendation may be completed by another university faculty member, a health care professional or employer (current or previous).
- 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 ascp.org/Board-of-Certification. The ASCP-BOC contact information: Phone: (800) 267-2727; Fax: (312)-541-4472.
Program Requirements
The following program is available: