Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Advanced Placement Option

Medical Laboratory Programs

Laboratory analysis plays an important role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases. Laboratory professionals perform moderate and complex tests to aid the physician in the management of disease.

For more information, contact Joan O'Connell-Spalla  330-941-1761  joconnellspalla@ysu.edu

Medical laboratory scientists perform hundreds of scientific procedures that have been devised to detect subtle changes that occur in disease. The MLS performs a full range of laboratory tests, ranging from complete blood counts, to more complex tests to uncover diseases such as leukemia, and diabetes. Studying blood cells under the microscope, the analysis of the chemical composition of blood, the isolation and identification of disease causing bacteria, and blood grouping and cross matching for transfusions are examples of the high complexity procedures performed by medical laboratory scientists. Positions are available as bench-level technologists, supervisors, and laboratory managers.

In addition to traditional laboratory careers, there are opportunities in education, research, and in industry as technical and sales representatives. In their quest to aid the physician and other health care providers, laboratory professionals do much more than look through a microscope. They operate complex analytical equipment, perform computations, and utilize precision instruments. Medical laboratory scientists act as an integral part of the health care team. Because of their academic and diverse clinical experience, graduates are well qualified for post-graduate programs in medicine, clinical chemistry, and biology.

Advanced Placement Option -Medical Laboratory Science On-line Completion Program

The Advanced Placement Option in the Medical Laboratory Science program provides a pathway for ASCP certified Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) to become Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS). The program is designed to meet the needs of the working medical laboratory technician so that they can pursue their degree while still employed as a laboratory professional and to address the growing local, regional and national shortage of medical laboratory scientists.

Applicants must meet the following criteria for acceptance into the program:

•  Graduated from  a NAACLS accredited MLT/CLT program
•  Completed prerequisite course work in biology, chemistry, and mathematics and meet Biology and Chemistry guidelines for eligibility for the ASCP MLS Certification examination.
•  Certified as a MLT(ASCP)
•  Employed in an accredited laboratory that is able to provide training in all required MLS disciplines.

Students may transfer courses from approved institutions with prior approval from the program director or department chairperson. Students must enroll in a minimum of 30 semeter hours at the university in order to earn the Bachelor of Science degree.

Students may be granted experiential credit for a clinical course and, if so, will not be required to register for that course. Experiential credit will be granted upon admission to the program and submission of verified competency. 

Students who require clinical training to meet competency must have a statement of support and willingess to enter into an affiliation agreement with the university for training purposes if one does not currently exist. Students must be registered for any laboratory section in which the competency has not been met through experience based credit.    

The MLS Advanced Placement Option is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS: 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, Phone: 773.714.8880, www.naacls.org,  info@naacls.org

PROGRAM OUTCOMES:

Certification pass rates for students who graduated between Fall 2020 through Spring 2021

• Number of Graduates: 8
• Number of Graduates who sat for the certification exam: 7
• Number of Graduates who passed the certification exam: 5
• Overall certification exam pass rate: 71%

GRADUATION AND PLACEMENT RATES FOR THE PERIOD FALL 2020 THROUGH SPRING 2021:

• Graduation rate: 100%
• Placement rate: 100%

Learning Outcomes

The student learning outcomes for the medical laboratory programs (MLS-BS and MLT-AAS) are as follows:

• Graduates will be prepared to function as entry-level health care professionals in the medical laboratory as medical laboratory technicians and medical laboratory scientists. At entry level, the medical laboratory graduate will be able to demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply and evaluate information relative to the medical laboratory profession.
• These learning outcomes include comprehension of the theory and the ability to apply and evaluate the didactics of hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, immunology, coagulation, molecular diagnostics, and other emerging diagnostics.
• Graduates will be prepared to function as entry-level health care professionals in the medical laboratory as medical laboratory technicians and medical laboratory scientists. Upon completion of the program, graduates will demonstrate technical proficiency in laboratory applications.
• These psychomotor learning outcomes include the performance of laboratory procedures in hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, immunology, coagulation, molecular diagnostics, and other emerging diagnostics. The graduate will demonstrate proficiency in the functions of all phases of laboratory analysis (pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical processes).
• Graduates will demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills consistent with the medical laboratory profession.
• Students will exhibit the ability to think critically across all 3700-level courses through the application of fundamental didactic and psychomotor skills to assess the medical relevance and significance of specific aspects of laboratory testing.