Medical Laboratory Science Major, BS

Mission Statement

The mission for the Medical Laboratory Science Department is to provide diverse students with the appropriate education and training to develop entry-level competencies in all disciplines of the clinical laboratory and maintain high quality program standards as set forth by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Purpose

The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program will prepare students for employment in their profession and poised to further their education to a graduate level degree.  The MLS Program will provide a climate conducive to stimulating interest in MLS education, participating in professional activities, encouraging awareness in changing trends in medical laboratory science, and eligible to take any of the medical laboratory science national certification examinations. The MLS Program reflects a quality of standard as assessed by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and continually assesses, evaluates, and revises the program to maintain a quality program.

Program Goals

The Medical Laboratory Science Program is designed to produce competent and qualified clinical laboratory practitioners. It offers the student an opportunity to obtain the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to function as competent clinical laboratory professionals.

The program seeks to: 

1. Provide a quality education to students enrolled in the medical laboratory science program which will allow them to perform as competent career entry professionals.
2. Provide a flexible curriculum, which meets the needs of the traditional as well as the non-traditional student and which will prepare graduates for employment in a variety of clincial laboratory and other health care settings.
3. Provide a curriculum, which presents opportunitites for students to develop leadership skills, which will enable them to function as an integral part of the healthcare team.
4. Prepare graduates to demonstrate professional behavior/ethics by (a) respecting confidentiality of patient information, (b) maintaining order and safety in personal habits and work areas, (c) communicating effectively both verbally and in written laboratory reports, and (d) assuming responsibility for personal conduct as well as quality of work.
5. Prepare graduates who are capable of professional advancement through (a) self-directed or collaborative activities, (b) acquisition of additional skills, (c) demonstration of research, and (d) management and instructional skills.

Student Learning Outcomes

The following is a list of entry level competencies established in accordance with the program goals and missions statement that students should possess upon graduation from the program.

1. Perform analytical tests of body fluids, cells and other substances according to established protocols and procedures. 
2. Evaluate the validity of the test results in terms of reference intervals (normal ranges), quality control data, analytical system performance, correlations and interpretations with other test data and medical significance relative to patient status.
3. Demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other health care professionals, and the public.
4. Utilize principles of research and educational methodologies in professional practice.
5. Apply priniciples in management of supervision in the laboratory setting.

Major and Track Requirements

Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) On-campus Track

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) to MLS Distance Learning (online) Track

Specialized Admission Requirements for the Major

Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) On-campus Track

To be eligible to enter the on-campus professional phase of the Medical Laboratory Science Program, students must have at least a 2.5 cumulative grade point average (GPA) and 2.8 math/science GPA on a 4.0 scale. In addition, students must have completed general education requirements and MLS pre-professional courses prior to admission. 

Transfer students must comply with the university’s admission and general prerequisite requirements. Second-degree students must complete required pre-professional courses.

Students must apply for the professional phase of the Medical Laboratory Science Program. Completed applications are due in the office of the Chair, Department of Medical Laboratory Science by January 1st.   All students will be notified of eligibility for an interview with the Medical Laboratory Science Admission and Selection Committee. The committee will notify applicants of its decision by June 1st.

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) to MLS Distance Learning (online) Track

Admission requirements to the MLS DL Track includes an overall GPA of at least 2.5 and 2.8 math/science, on a scale of 4.0, an associate degree/associate of applied science degree in medical technology/clincal laboratory science technology (MLT/CLT) from a NAACLS approved program or equivalent educational experience, certified (ASCP, AMT, AAB or other nationally recognized certifying agency), completed at least one year of fulltime working experience as a MLT in a medical laboratory (CLIA, CAP, COLA, or Joint Commission approved) by the time of graduation from WSSU MLS Distance Learning Track, and completed university and department applications with supporting documents (official transcripts, letters of recommendation). Students may have to submit documentation of training and work experiences for evaluation.  Based on the WSSU MLS Admission Committee’s assessment of the student’s medical experiences, a rotation may be required in some or all areas (students will be required to identify potential CLIA/JCAHO approved clinical sites willing to sign an affiliation agreement with Winston Salem State University to provide the required clinical experience, references, etc.). Individual consideration of military training will be given if the student is certified or certification-eligible from the military medical laboratory training. 

Progression Requirements

Professional Phase courses begin with the prefix MLS and are numbered as 3000 or higher. All courses in the professional phase of the Medical Laboratory Science program must be passed with a “C” or better.   A student that receives a grade of less than “C” in one course will not be permitted to progress in the professional phase and will be dismissed from the program. A student that is dismissed from the program may re-apply for admission by following the admission process for the professional component of the program. Students who are dismissed from the medical laboratory science program for academic reasons are not automatically readmitted. Students must make a formal written request for readmission. Readmission depends on space availability and the student’s previous performance in MLS courses.

Course Requirements

1. General Education Courses (GEC) - 39 Semester Hours

      Courses selected by the student and the GEC academic advisor.  (See GEC worksheet)

2. Pre-Professional Pre-Requisite Courses - 21 Semester Hours

Honors Option in MLS

MLS majors accepted to the professional phase of the program and with a GPA equal to or greater than 3.2 may elect to participate in the MLS honors option. In addition to the MLS program requirements, honors students must:

1. Maintain an overall GPA of 3.2

*2. Complete the Honors Option assignment each semester - designated course where the assignment will be given is designated on the MLS professional phase curriculum

3. Present and publish an Honors Option Project

Students must apply for participation in the honors program to the Medical Laboratory Science department chair, sign an honors contract, and obtain approval of a faculty project advisor to their final semster. For more information see the MLS Student Handbook, the program director or the department chair.

MLT to MLS Distance Learning (online) Track

The Medical Laboratory Science Department at WSSU offers the MLT to MLS Distance Learning track for graduates of a NAACLS accredited Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program seeking a baccalaureate degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Students must be certified as a medical laboratory technician for acceptance into the WSSU MLT to MLS Distance Learning Track*. Courses are delivered online for the convenience of students working fulltime.  Campus visits are welcomed but not required for this program.

The courses for the Bachelors in Medical Laboratory Science are a combination of General Education, Pre-Professional, and Professional courses.  If you are a graduate from an accredited college or university you are exempt from the WSSU general education course requirements.  This is also true if you have earned an associate of arts (AA) or associate of science (AS) degree from a North Carolina community college.  Graduates from a North Carolina community college who have earned an associate of applied science (AAS) degree are NOT exempt from the WSSU General Education requirements.  Your MLT coursework may transfer to WSSU to meet some of the MLS Pre-Professional and Professional course requirements.

*Students receiving their medical laboratory training in the military should contact the Distance Learning Program Coordinator before beginning the application process.

Policies

Class Attendance Policy

Students in Medical Laboratory Science must follow the university policy on class attendance for upperclassmen. There are two additional policies for the student who major in Medical Laboratory Science.

1.    Each student must attend all scheduled clinical practice activities. The student has a professional responsibility to themselves as a learner; to the assigned clients; to co-workers and to fellow students.

2.    A student who attends class irregularly or demonstrates other evidence of academic and clinical irresponsibility is subject to a request for withdrawal from the Medical Laboratory Science course or major.

STUDENT ACTIVITES