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Medical Laboratory Science, B.S.

  1. Graduates will demonstrate respect for human life with regard to all aspects of laboratory testing.
  2. Graduates will communicate accurate laboratory information to members of the healthcare team.
  3. Graduates will apply critical reasoning to solve laboratory-based case studies.
  4. Graduates will integrate knowledge of laboratory theory into practice.
  5. Graduates will adhere to the principles found in the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Professional Code of Ethics.

Professional Performance Standards

The medical laboratory science student must possess or have the ability to achieve certain competencies to successfully complete the curriculum. These competencies include knowledge, skills and attitudes that are necessary for professional practice. The essential requirements outlined below are presented for applicants and matriculates to review and use to assess their ability to successfully complete degree requirements. If you have any questions regarding your ability to achieve any of these essential requirements, you can clarify your concerns by contacting a faculty member within the medical laboratory science program. If you perceive you will require special accommodations to meet these requirements, you must notify your advisor or the MLS program director to arrange for a University-level assessment.

The medical laboratory science student must be able to:

  • In course assignments and within the laboratory practice setting, apply theoretical knowledge, ethical practice and sound judgment in following problem situations to their logical conclusions.
  • Assimilate mathematical and scientific data to allow the application of basic principles in concrete situations related to laboratory practice and test interpretation.
  • Physically manipulate themselves and small objects (20 pounds or less) within the laboratory/clinical/research setting in a safe and effective fashion.
  • Display a functional level of manual dexterity in the performance of laboratory testing including phlebotomy and numerous other laboratory procedures requiring delicate manipulations and in the utilization of computerized instrumentation.
  • Demonstrate functional use of their senses including but not limited to:
    • Visual acuity in distinguishing colorimetric endpoints and subtle microscopic differences between diagnostic elements in clinical specimens when examined under a microscope and/or displayed on a monitor. Students must be able to discern subtle differences in color.
    • Sense of touch to distinguish temperature discrimination for safety purposes.
    • Visual acuity and accurate transcription in the reporting of testing data and quality control information in a written or computer-generated format.
  • Utilize effective and respectful written and oral communication skills in professional interactions with patients, colleagues, and other health care professionals.
  • Accurately perform complex technical procedures under stressful working conditions (e.g. emergency situations, ambiguous orders, heavy workload, and a distracting and noisy environment) and within reasonable time constraints.
  • Comprehend and adhere to policies and regulations as prescribed by appropriate governing agencies. These policies are generally but not exclusively related to competent, ethical and safe practice. 
  • Submit to and receive a satisfactory report on criminal background checks and drug testing for substances of abuse, and must be up to date on their vaccinations. 
  • Transfer applicants will be accepted on the basis of clinical site availability.

Certification and Licensure

Graduates of the MLS program are eligible to take a nationally administered certification exam. Passing this exam indicates a knowledge base and skill set necessary to function as a healthcare professional. License and certification vary depending on the state in which you will practice. Currently, 12 states require a license to practice as a clinical laboratory professional, including California, Florida, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, Tennessee, West Virginia, PR, GA.

Certification Exam Pass Rate

  • SLU graduates consistently have a pass rate higher than the national average

  • Pass rate is usually at or near 100 percent

Two certification exams are recognized nationally within the profession:

Licensure

To practice in some states a licensure examination is also required by law. It is advisable to check with the individual state's department of health to determine if such an exam is required.

For more information, visit the American Society for Clinical Pathology.

Program Outcomes

Graduate certification rates demonstrating an average of at least 75% pass rate.

Year Rate
2022 100%
2023 100%
2024 100%

Graduation rates demonstrating an average of at least 70% of students who have begun the final half of the program to graduate successfully.

Year Rate
2022 100%
2023 100%
2024 100%

 Graduate placement rates demonstrating that an average of at least 70% of respondent graduates either find employment in the field or a closely related field (for those who seek employment) or continue their education within one year of graduation.

Year Rate
2022 100%
2023 100%
2024 100%

Students in Saint Louis University's medical laboratory science major take the following courses. 

University Undergraduate Core32-35
Foundation
BIOL 1240
BIOL 1245
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory
4
BIOL 1260
BIOL 1265
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory
4
BIOL 3020Biochemistry and Molecular Biology3
CHEM 1110
CHEM 1115
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
CHEM 1120
CHEM 1125
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
CHEM 2410
CHEM 2415
Organic Chemistry 1
and Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
CMM 1200Public Speaking3
ENGL 1900Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research3
HSCI 3700Research Methods3
MATH 1400Pre-Calculus3
PPY 2540Human Physiology4
STAT 1300Elementary Statistics with Computers3
Biomedical Laboratory Science
BLS 1000The Power of Laboratory Medicine2
BLS 1150Foundations of Medical Laboratory Science Lab1
BLS 3110Urinalysis & Body Fluids2
BLS 4110Medical Biochemistry I3
BLS 4120Medical Biochemistry II2
BLS 4130Principles & Techniques in Molecular Biology2
BLS 4210Hematology4
BLS 4220Hemostasis and Thrombosis2
BLS 4310Immunohematology3
BLS 4411Fundamentals of Immunology2
BLS 4420Medical Immunology2
BLS 4510Medical Microbiology4
Medical Laboratory Science
MLS 3150Urinalysis and Immunology Laboratory1
MLS 3210Clinical Education & Laboratory Management2
MLS 3400Laboratory Operations1
MLS 4150Analytical Chemistry2
MLS 4250Hematology Laboratory1
MLS 4350Immunohematology Laboratory1
MLS 4520Medical Bacteriology2
MLS 4541Medical Mycology and Parasitology3
MLS 4550Medical Bacteriology Laboratory2
MLS 4611Advanced Topics and Case Correlations2
MLS 4701Clinical Chemistry Practicum3
MLS 4710Clinical Chemistry1
MLS 4740Clinical Hematology Practicum2
MLS 4750Clinical Hematology1
MLS 4770Clinical Phlebotomy Practicum1
MLS 4780Clinical Immunohematology Practicum2
MLS 4790Clinical Immunohematology1
MLS 4800Clinical Microbiology Practicum3
MLS 4811Clinical Microbiology1
MLS 4820Clinical Urinalysis Practicum1
Total Credits126-127

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a minimum 2.50 grade point average (GPA).

Roadmaps are recommended semester-by-semester plans of study for programs and assume full-time enrollment unless otherwise noted.  

Courses and milestones designated as critical (marked with !) must be completed in the semester listed to ensure a timely graduation. Transfer credit may change the roadmap.

This roadmap should not be used in the place of regular academic advising appointments. All students are encouraged to meet with their advisor/mentor each semester. Requirements, course availability and sequencing are subject to change.

Plan of Study Grid
Year One
FallCredits
Critical course:  BIOL 1240
BIOL 1245
General Biology: Information Flow and Evolution
and Principles of Biology I Laboratory (Critical course:  satisfies CORE 3800)
4
BLS 1000 The Power of Laboratory Medicine 2
BLS 1150 Foundations of Medical Laboratory Science Lab 1
Critical course:  CHEM 1110
CHEM 1115
General Chemistry 1
and General Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
CORE 1500 Cura Personalis 1: Self in Community 1
MATH 1400 Pre-Calculus 3
 Credits15
Spring
Critical course:  BIOL 1260
BIOL 1265
General Biology: Transformations of Energy and Matter
and Principles of Biology II Laboratory
4
Critical course:  CHEM 1120
CHEM 1125
General Chemistry 2
and General Chemistry 2 Laboratory
4
CORE 1600 Ultimate Questions: Theology 3
ENGL 1900 Advanced Strategies of Rhetoric and Research (satisfies CORE 1900) 3
STAT 1300 Elementary Statistics with Computers (satisfies CORE 3200) 3
 Credits17
Year Two
Fall
BIOL 3020 Biochemistry and Molecular Biology 3
Critical course:  CHEM 2410
CHEM 2415
Organic Chemistry 1
and Organic Chemistry 1 Laboratory
4
CMM 1200 Public Speaking (satisfies CORE 1200) 3
PPY 2540 Human Physiology 4
XXXXCore Elective 3
 Credits17
Spring
BLS 3110 Urinalysis & Body Fluids 2
BLS 4130 Principles & Techniques in Molecular Biology 2
CORE 1700 Ultimate Questions: Philosophy 3
CORE 2500 Cura Personalis 2: Self in Contemplation 0
CORE 2800 Eloquentia Perfecta 3: Creative Expression 2-3
CORE 3600 Ways of Thinking: Social and Behavioral Sciences 3
XXXXCore Elective 3
 Credits15-16
Year Three
Fall
BLS 4110 Medical Biochemistry I 3
BLS 4411 Fundamentals of Immunology 2
BLS 4510 Medical Microbiology 4
CORE 3400 Ways of Thinking: Aesthetics, History, and Culture 3
MLS 4150 Analytical Chemistry 2
 Credits14
Spring
BLS 4120 Medical Biochemistry II 2
BLS 4220 Hemostasis and Thrombosis 2
BLS 4310 Immunohematology 3
BLS 4420 Medical Immunology 2
MLS 3150 Urinalysis and Immunology Laboratory 1
MLS 4350 Immunohematology Laboratory 1
MLS 4520 Medical Bacteriology 2
MLS 4550 Medical Bacteriology Laboratory 2
 Credits15
Year Four
Fall
BLS 4210 Hematology 4
MLS 4250 Hematology Laboratory 1
HSCI 3700 Research Methods 3
MLS 3210 Clinical Education & Laboratory Management 2
MLS 3400 Laboratory Operations 1
MLS 4541 Medical Mycology and Parasitology 3
 Credits14
Spring
MLS 4611 Advanced Topics and Case Correlations (satisfies CORE 3500) 2
MLS 4701 Clinical Chemistry Practicum 3
MLS 4710 Clinical Chemistry 1
MLS 4740 Clinical Hematology Practicum 2
MLS 4750 Clinical Hematology 1
MLS 4770 Clinical Phlebotomy Practicum 1
MLS 4780 Clinical Immunohematology Practicum 2
MLS 4790 Clinical Immunohematology 1
MLS 4800 Clinical Microbiology Practicum 3
MLS 4811 Clinical Microbiology 1
MLS 4820 Clinical Urinalysis Practicum 1
 Credits18
 Total Credits125-126

2+SLU programs provide a guided pathway for students transferring from a partner institution. 

Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. (STLCC 2+SLU)

Apply for Admission

Contact Doisy College of Health Sciences
Recruitment specialist
314-977-2570
dchs@health.slu.edu