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Thomas University Medical Laboratory Science students working in the lab

Medical Laboratory Science

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree from Thomas University prepares students for an exciting and rewarding career in the Clinical Laboratory. The Medical Laboratory Science Online 2+2 track provides current Medical Laboratory Technicians an opportunity to earn their bachelor’s degree while continuing to work.

Medical Laboratory Scientists are an integral part of the healthcare team and aid in the diagnosis of patients through scientific analysis of human samples to yield diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, students who are interested in a pre-medical track with the intention of applying to a medical school after graduation may also pursue this major.

Graduates will be prepared to enter the field with a rich and diversified skill set enabling employment in a variety of laboratories, such as medical and hospital, forensic, pharmaceutical, drug trial, veterinary, physician offices, food and beverage, and other lab-related career fields.

Program Director: Jeanette Norris, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm

Phone: 229-226-1621

+Accreditation

This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119; phone (773) 714-8880; www.naacls.org

+Professional Certification

Certification is a voluntary process; however, most employers prefer to hire certified practitioners. After graduation, graduates of the Thomas University BS in Medical Laboratory Science are eligible to sit for exams to certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. Certification is not licensure, however, there are currently 10 states and 1 territory with laboratory personnel licensure requirements (California, Hawaii, Florida, New York, North Dakota, Louisiana, Nevada, Tennessee, West Virginia, and Montana). Puerto Rico also has licensure. The components of the law vary state-to-state, but usually includes an annual licensing fee (some are bi-annual), national certification, a provision for continuing education, a minimum education, and professional competency requirements.

Completion of the TU BS in Medical Laboratory Science does not guarantee that a graduate will meet a state’s educational requirements for licensure. If a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) plans to locate in a state with licensure, that state should be contacted for specific information relative to that state’s laboratory practice act. This contact should be made as early as possible after the location decision has been made.

Check with other states regarding reciprocity; most give reciprocity for another state license as stringent or more stringent than that state. Please review the document below for specific information

MLS Certification and Resources

+Program Outcomes

Outcome2020
202120223-year Average
Graduates (actual number)261818
Percent of students who began the "final half" of the program during the given time period and have since graduated
100%100%100%100%
*Placement Rate of students who found employment (in the field or in a closely related field) and/or continued their
education within one year of graduation
100%100%100%100%
ASCP Exam Pass Rates of students who sat for the ASCP BOC exam within first year of graduation
43%82%58%60%

+Online 2+2 MLS

The 2+2 Medical Laboratory Science program is an online bridge program designed for the medical laboratory technician who has previously earned an associate degree from a NAACLS-accredited MLT/CLT program and holds current MLT certification. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher to be admitted to the program. Students are accepted each semester. Once accepted, students begin a structured curriculum of online courses and competency-based clinical experiences. Students graduating with the B.S. degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas University will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination at the Medical Laboratory Scientist level.

“This is my second semester at TU. Prior to TU, I had only taken one class online. I was a little uneasy about taking a couple of years’ worth since I’m an older student, but I am truly impressed with my instructors. I know I made the right decision for my MLS degree. I have found all to be professional yet very willing to help a student. ”

– Kimberly W. Fanning, MLT (ASCP)

COURSES

Transfer students must meet the following core curriculum requirements. Students may transfer in courses or complete them at Thomas University.

General Education

  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • College Algebra or Mathematical Modeling
  • Statistics
  • Biology I or equivalent
  • Social Science elective (1 class)
  • Creativity electives (1 class)

Major Courses

  • Chemistry I
  • Parasitology, Mycology and Virology
  • Urinalysis and Body Fluids II
  • Clinical Immunology & Molecular Diagnosis II
  • Clinical Microbiology II
  • Hematology and Coagulation II
  • Clinical Immunohematology II
  • Clinical Chemistry II
  • Research Methods & Project
  • Survey of Organic Chemistry
  • Senior Seminar
  • Lab Management & Supervision
  • Advanced Clinical Internship
  • Approved science electives (3 classes)

Total Credits 120

CIP Code 51.1099

+Online Biomedical Laboratory Science

A degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science includes a course of scientific study related to biology as it affects healthcare. It is designed as a degree completion program for students who have earned an Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and do not intend to take the MLS (ASCP) BOC exam by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists via route 1. Other MT certifications may be taken after completing this degree.

COURSES

General Education

  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • College Algebra or Mathematical Modeling
  • Statistics
  • Biology I or equivalent
  • Social Science elective (1 class)
  • Creativity electives (1 class)

Major Courses

  • MLS 405 Parasitology, Mycology and Virology
    MLS 411 Urinalysis & Body Fluids
    MLS 414 Immunology & Molecular Diagnostics
    MLS 421 Clinical Microbiology II
    MLS 431 Clinical Hematology & Coagulation II
    MLS 441 Clinical Immunohematology II
    MLS 451 Clinical Chemistry II
    Science Elective Credits: (choose 5 courses)
    BIO 201 Biochemistry
    BIO 270 Microbiology
    BIO 310 Medical Molecular Cell Biology
    BIO 312 Medical Genetics
    BIO 409 Pathophysiology
    MLS 452 Research Methods and Project
    RSC 300 Research Methods
    MLS 470 Lab Management and Supervision

Total Credits 122

CIP Code 26.0102

Send official transcripts to admissions@yqshgp.com

Or

Admissions Office, Thomas University, 1501 Millpond Road, Thomasville, GA 31792

Students with no prior college, please provide an official high school transcript or GED.Students with prior college credit and those applying to the 2+2 program must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. You can order transcripts from prior colleges here.

Students applying to the MLS 2+2 program who have recently completed their program can be admitted and begin working toward their bachelor's degree. However, they must pass the MLT exam within two semesters. Once accepted into the major courses, the program director will work with you to secure the necessary additional documents.

Admission to the MLS program requires a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. Students pursuing the Biomedical Laboratory Science program must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

What is the career outlook for Medical Laboratory Scientists?

Overall employment of medical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. An increase in the aging population is expected to lead to a greater need to diagnose medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures.

What Can I Do with This Degree?

Technologists in small laboratories perform many types of tests; in large laboratories, they sometimes specialize. The following are examples of types of specialized medical laboratory technologists:
  • Blood bank technologists, or immunohematology technologists, collect blood, classify it by type, and prepare blood and its components for transfusions.
  • Clinical chemistry technologists prepare specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of body fluids.
  • Microbiology technologists examine and identify bacteria and other microorganisms.
Technologists and technicians often specialize after they have worked in a particular area for a long time or have received advanced education or training in that area. Some students use this program as a pre-professional track for medical school. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Director and Clinical Coordinator:
Jeanette Norris, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm

Affiliate Professor:
Dawn Williamson, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm

Adjunct Professors:
Jessica Hoernemann MS, MLS (ASCP)cm
Phyllis Ingham EdD, MEd., MLS (ASCP), AHI (AMT)
Rebecca James, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm
Hind Kurbaj, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm
Georgia Smith, M.Ed., MBA, MLS (ASCP)
Rebecca Stratford, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm

Thomas University

Education that Engages
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1501 Millpond Road
Thomasville, GA 31792
229.226.1621
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