Mar 29, 2024  
2022-2023 Academic Bulletin 
    
2022-2023 Academic Bulletin [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Laboratory Science BSMLS (MLT to BSMLS, Online)


Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Department

The Medical Laboratory Science BSMLS (MLT to BSMLS, Online) program is a completion program for working MLT certified professionals who are seeking a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science. This program offers specific courses in immunology, immunohematology, microbiology, clinical chemistry, urinalysis, hematology, hemostasis, and laboratory operations. Students completing the BSMLS completion program are well-prepared and eligible to write the national Board of Certification examination sponsored by the ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology).

Delivery: This program is offered in an interactive online asynchronous format (see School of Distance Education  definitions). The interactive online degree does not require any on-campus time. Students are encouraged to come to campus for graduation.

Total Credits - 124


Additional Requirements


Student Progression in Clinical Program

  • The MLT to MLS clinical program for working professional clinical laboratory technicians (CLTs) and medical laboratory technicians (MLTs). The program may be completed in as little as two semesters.

  • Students may complete all the course work online with some exceptions: occasionally students will need to take proctored exams at a testing center or other location and any clinical rotations required are completed on-site in laboratories, usually scheduled where the student works. Students may also apply for life experience credit to reduce or eliminate clinical rotation hours.

  • All required course work must be completed with a grade no lower than C- and no course with a grade below C- may count towards the degree. Refer to the Academic Calendar for the Add/Drop dates. Continuance in the program is contingent on students meeting the progression criteria as stated and maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50. A student receiving a cumulative GPA of less than 2.50 may be allowed to advance if the program faculty identifies exceptional circumstances and recommends that the student continue in the program. The Department of MLS requires a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 to graduate with a BSMLS.

Admission Requirements


Clinical Year Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the MLT to MLS (BSMLS completion) program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

  • Have an Associate degree* or 60 semester hours (90 quarter hours) of academic credit** from a college/university accredited by a recognized regional or national accreditation agency with current MLT Certification.
  • Must be currently employed by a clinical laboratory.
  • Have two years of full time acceptable clinical experience*** in blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, and urinalysis/body fluids in an acceptable laboratory within the last five years.
  • Have a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
  • Have a minimum cognate science and math GPA of 2.50 on a 4.00 scale.
  • Have completed:
    • At least 16 semester (24 quarter) credits of biology (must include immunology and microbiology)
    • At least 16 semester (24 quarter) credits of chemistry (must include at least one term of organic chemistry or biochemistry)
    • One college-level mathematics course

Applicants must be able to meet the program’s published Essential Functions, which are included in the online application, and express a willingness to comply with the principles, rules, regulations, and policies of both the university and the program as they relate to the ideals and values of the Seventh-day Adventist Church and the medical laboratory science profession.

*Applicants who have completed an AA/AS degree at a regionally accredited institution or completed a state core curriculum (e.g., MTA) will be considered to have met all general education (Andrews Core Experience) requirements except for the Religion requirement. 

**Students without an associate degree must meet the Andrews Core Experience (ACE) requirements.

***All laboratory experience credited toward eligibility must have been gained while employed in a laboratory that performs the chemical, physical, or biological examination of human body fluids and tissues and that uses clinical laboratory techniques and methodologies. The experience must have been obtained within the last five years, in each of the following clinical laboratory disciplines: Blood Banking, Microbiology, Chemistry, and Hematology. All work experience is assumed to be full-time. Full-time experience is defined as working an average of 40 hours/week (may be a combination of part-time settings). Where necessary, laboratory experience will be verified. If laboratory experience is deficient, clinical rotations may be required at the end of the program and are completed on-site in laboratories, usually scheduled where the student works.

Prerequisite Courses

All prerequisite course work must be completed prior to entry into the clinical year. A personal interview may be required at the discretion of the Admissions Committee.

In exceptional circumstances, the Admissions Committee may accept students outside the stated policy.

Additional Information


Transfer of Credits and Credit for Prior Learning

  • Applicants may transfer up to 92 credits from their associate degree programs and other college-level courses completed toward the BSMLS.
  • Students may also earn credits for prior learning from applicable MLT experience with a required portfolio submission.
  • Electives, additional classes and/or credit for prior learning gained through personal and/or professional development may be required to meet the 124-credit graduation requirement.

Student Learning Outcomes


Student Learning Outcome 1: MLS Comprehensive Didactic Competency, sufficient to achieve a passing score in the Board of Certification by the ASCP, in the following scientific content and as defined by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS):

  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Hematology/Hemostasis
  • Immunology
  • Immunohematology/Transfusion Medicine
  • Microbiology
  • Urine and body fluid analysis
  • Laboratory Operations

Student Learning Outcome 2: Application of MLS Professional Skills

  • Achieve Medical Laboratory Scientist entry-level psychomotor, clinical, and professional skills for service to humanity.
  • Demonstrate competency to perform a full range of test protocols in the contemporary medical laboratory setting encompassing pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical components of laboratory services, including body fluids, chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, immunology, microbiology, molecular diagnostics, urinalysis, and phlebotomy.
  • Exhibit proficiency to evaluate clinical data and interpret results, problem solve, troubleshoot, and use statistical approaches when evaluating data.
  • Exhibit administrative skills consistent with philosophies of quality assurance, continuous quality improvement, laboratory education, financial resource management, and appropriate composure under stressful conditions.
  • Application of safety and governmental regulations and standards as applied to medical laboratory practice.

Student Learning Outcome 3: Practice Ethics and Professionalism

  • Demonstrate ethical and professional behaviors in both didactic and practicum portions of the Program.
  • Model the professional traits of an entry-level healthcare practitioner.
  • Display professional conduct, respecting the feelings and needs of others, protecting the confidentiality of patient information, and avoiding personal concerns and biases to interfere with the welfare of patients.
  • Demonstrate effective communication skills, including competent written, oral, and visual communication, to ensure accurate and appropriate transfer of information.
  • Embrace interprofessional collaborative practice that strengthens the healthcare team and enhances patient outcomes.

Return to {$returnto_text} Return to: Programs by Department