Dr. Diane Davis, Program Chair
410-548-4787
Advisement for the major is available from the Medical Laboratory Science Program.
The program consists of a basic two-year curriculum of General Education experience and support courses in the biological and physical sciences (lower-division core) followed by two years of professional instruction and training (upper-division core). A total of 120 credit hours is required for graduation in medical laboratory science.
General Information
In their junior and senior years, students must register for and satisfactorily complete three semesters of didactic study, a senior winter term of clinical rotation and a semester of full-time clinical experience at approved clinical affiliates of the program located primarily throughout Maryland, the Eastern Shore of Virginia and lower Delaware. Students are responsible for the cost of background check and drug testing prior to clinical placements, registration fees for fall and spring semesters and winter term, and for registration fees, housing, meals and transportation during the winter term and clinical experience semester. In addition, it is each student’s responsibility to have all appropriate vaccinations and tests, including the hepatitis B vaccine, and a physical examination performed by a qualified clinician during the senior year prior to clinical rotations.
Placement and progression in courses are determined by program policies. For detailed policies, consult the program handbook, available in the office of the program chair.
Major requirements completed more than five years ago are not automatically accepted. Evaluations will be performed on an individual basis.
Advanced standing will be granted to those individuals who meet acceptable criteria of the University. Applicants who hold certification as medical laboratory technicians may be offered advanced status. Methods include CLEP, transfer of academic credit from accredited institutions and credit for prior work experiences.
Students should consult regularly with their advisors when developing their individual program plans and selecting courses. Transfer students and medical laboratory technicians should seek individual advisement from the program to prevent duplication of coursework and/or experiences.
Pre-health Professional Preparation
Students pursuing pre-health options such as premedicine need to take courses that meet requirements for specific schools. Selection of courses should be coordinated with the Health Professions Advising Program (HPAP). These advisors can assist students in meeting these specific requirements. Please see the Pre-Professional Programs section of this catalog for more information.
CHEM 221 and CHEM 222 (Organic Chemistry) are recommended for professional schools and graduate programs.
Upper-Division Professional Program
Admission to the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Professional Program is a two-step process which includes both admission to Salisbury University and acceptance into the upper-division professional program. Admission to Salisbury University does not guarantee acceptance to the upper-division professional program as space is limited each year. Students should declare a major in MLS early in their academic careers to assure appropriate advisement. Decisions regarding acceptance occur during the spring semester prior to the start of fall classes, usually by mid-March in time for program planning. Due to course sequencing, students must begin the upper-division program in the fall semester only.
Admission to the Upper-Division Professional Program
Application to the upper-division professional program should occur in spring of the sophomore year. Admission decisions are based on satisfactory completion of the lower-division core as well as on professional and technical aptitude for the field. Students should be aware that there are physical, mental and emotional demands in the field. A description of the essential functions required by the program is available on the program website. Space is limited; therefore, satisfactory completion of the lower-division requirements does not guarantee admission to the upper-division program.
Students wishing to be considered for admission to the professional program must do the following:
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Earn a minimum 2.3 cumulative grade point average when calculating all undergraduate coursework taken at all institutions. This includes transfer courses.
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Successfully complete the following with grades of C or better and earn a GPA of at least 2.3 in these courses: Composition and Research (ENGL 103 ), General Chemistry I and II (CHEM 121 and CHEM 122 ), Anatomy and Physiology I and II (BIOL 215 and BIOL 216 ), General Microbiology (BIOL 211 ) and Modern Statistics (MATH 155 ).
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Complete an application form and submit it by March 1.
Due to changing clinical site and agency regulations, SU students who accept admission to the Medical Laboratory Science Professional Program must undergo a criminal background check and drug test in order to participate in clinical rotations. Applicants are advised that if they have been convicted of a felony or have pled nolo contendere to a felony or to a crime involving moral turpitude, they may not be eligible for licensure as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. All students must sign a Notice of Possible Implications of Criminal Convictions and Required Criminal Background Checks. This form states that the student is aware of the possibility of a criminal background check and the implications for licensure if he or she has a criminal background.
Admission Decisions
The MLS Professional Program Admission Committee reviews applications which meet the minimum admission eligibility requirements. Priority for admission into the upper-division professional program is given to students with the best grades and most prerequisite courses completed and students completing an approved articulated program. Applicants accepted into the professional program are notified in writing and their admission is contingent upon completion of any outstanding requirements by the first day of the fall term.
Other Science Majors
Students from other science majors such as biology or chemistry are encouraged to seek permission to take courses for Elective credit if they have an interest in clinical laboratory medicine when space is available. Eligibility for ASCP categorical certification in one area such as clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, transfusion services or hematology can be earned by taking an approved plan of courses.
Checklist
This checklist is an unofficial tool for planning. Matriculated students and advisors should consult the Academic Requirements Report in GullNet before and after registering for classes each semester to track academic progress.
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