Mar 28, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog 
    
2023-2024 Undergraduate & Graduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. Pre-Physician Assistant Track


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Advisement for the major is available from the Medical Laboratory Science Program

Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. Pre-Physician Assistant Track Curriculum Guide  (Suggested 4-Year Plan of Study)

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 checks 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.  Results of the physical, drug test and background checks must meet the standards of the clinical site before students can attend.

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.  More detail is provided in the admissions policy, available on the program website.

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:

  • Earn a minimum 2.3 cumulative grade point average when calculating all undergraduate coursework taken at all institutions. This includes transfer courses.

  • 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).

  • Maintain academic and criminal records free of behavior incompatible with the profession.

  • Complete an application form and submit it by March 1.

More detail is provided in the admissions policy available on the program website, including an early admission option.

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 faculty review 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 or to earn a minor 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.

University Undergraduate Major Policies


  • Refer to the program page for this major and the Courses  section of this catalog for approved prerequisites and General Education courses.
  • Requirements may not equal 120 credit hours. Students must register for additional electives to complete 120 credits required for graduation.
  • All graduates must have a minimum of 30 credits of 300/400-level courses with C grade or above; at least 15 of those credits must be taken at SU.
  • Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0 for graduation.
  • Students must complete at least 30 credit hours by direct classroom instruction and/or laboratory experience.
  • Students must take 30 of the last 37 credit hours at SU.
  • It is the student’s responsibility to satisfy graduation requirements. Please refer to the program page of this catalog for detailed major requirements.
  • Students must apply online for graduation by November 15 for May and by May 15 for December.

General Education Requirements


Please Note: Check Major Requirements section below for a list of General Education requirements that are fulfilled by the major.

Group I: English Composition and Literature (2 Courses)


A. C or Better in One of the Following


B. Select One Course From:


Literature course (from either ENGL or MDFL Depts.) 4 Hour(s) Credit:

  • Course:

Group II: History (2 Courses)


A. Select One Course From:


B. Select One Course From:


Group III: Humanities and Social Sciences (3 Courses)


A. Select One Course from One of the Following 7 Areas:


B. Select One Course from One of the Following 10 Areas:


C. Select One Course from Either Group IIIA or IIIB (Course must be from a different area than previously selected)


Group IV: Natural Science, Math and Computer Science (4 courses)


A. Select Courses with Laboratories from at Least Two of the Following Four Areas:


BIOL, CHEM, GEOL or Physical GEOG, PHYS 4 Hour(s) Credit:

  • Course:

  • Course:

B. Select One Course (Need Not be a Lab) from One of the Following Areas:


C. Select One Course From:


MATH 3-4 Hour(s) Credit:

  • Course:

Group V: Health Fitness (1 Course)


Major Requirements


General Education Requirements Fulfilled by Major


IA (Composition), IIIB (Social Science),  IVA (Lab Science), IVB (Non Lab Science), IVC (Mathematics)

Medical Laboratory Science, General Education & Lower Level Requirements (7 Courses)


Complete the Following with C or Better and Earn a GPA of at Least 2.3


*Course must include a face-to-face lab unless MLS Program grants a waiver.

Note: BIOL 201 and BIOL 202 should be taken by students interested in completing upper level biology courses.

Professional Requirements (19 Courses)


Pre-Physician Assistant Track Requirements (5 Courses)


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