Dec 03, 2024

2023-24 NSU Undergraduate Catalog

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2023-24 NSU Undergraduate Catalog [Archived Catalog]

Medical Laboratory Science B.S.M.L.S. *

Location(s): Online, Tahlequah, Broken Arrow

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OSRHE Program Code: 147
CIP Code: 511005

Major Code: 7621

Pathway Codes:

7620 - Degree Completion 2 + 2
7625 - Internship 3 + 1

Purpose

Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) are health care professionals highly trained in the art and technology of clinical laboratory medicine. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies and research. MLS are the detectives of the medical world and perform diagnostic tests to assist the physician in treatment of patients.

There are two pathways to a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. Both pathways lead to the same degree and the same eligibility to take the Medical Laboratory Scientist Board of Certification through the American Society of Clinical Pathology. The acceptance to each option is different due to the educational background of the students.

MLS Internship Pathway 3+1 students have no medical laboratory background, and they complete a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences hospital internship program for their last 30 hours.
MLS Completion Pathway 2+2 students must have an Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and be certified; these students attend NSU’s National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences online program.

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, 773-714-8880; http://www.naacls.org.

Credential Requirements

MLS Internship 3+1 Pathway: Upon completion of the internship, the student takes a Board of Certification examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Upon passage the student is certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, M.L.S. (ASCP) and becomes a fully accredited member of the medical team. Additional fees apply for testing and licensure.

MLS Degree Completion 2+2 Pathway: For admission, must be certified as a Medical Laboratory Technician or Clinical Laboratory Technician by an approved national certification agency (ASCP or AMT).

Student Learning Outcomes

Understand and work in hematology.
Understand and work in immunohematology.
Understand and work in clinical chemistry.
Understand and work in immunology/serology.
Understand and work in clinical microbiology.

Degree Completion 2+2

Complete all didactic medical laboratory courses (online).
Complete clinical laboratory competenices at job site or site assigned to them.

Internship 3+1

Complete medical laboratory didactic and clinical competencies in a OCCLSA consortium hospital.

General Education Requirements

A minimum of 46 hours of academic work in general education is required during the freshman and sophomore years. For students transferring with the Associate of Arts degree or Associate of Science degree from a public institution in Oklahoma, all general education requirements will be satisfied with respect to degree requirements. However, some majors may require other specific general education courses as program prerequisites or program requirements. Students should consult advisors and the program’s plan of study for further information. Students are required to complete general education requirements by the time they have completed 90 semester hours of college work. See General Education Requirements for more information.

MLS Internship 3+1 Pathway (7625)

For the MLS Internship 3+1 Pathway, the student must complete three years of prescribed college work (94 hours) and a one-year internship in an approved School of Medical Technology.

The degree curriculum below meets the requirements of the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Services (NAACLS), completion of which are required prior to acceptance to an approved hospital for the internship. Students must apply to an accredited school of medical technology not later than October 15 of the junior year of college.

Upon completion of the internship, the student takes a Board of Certification examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Upon passage the student is certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, M.L.S. (ASCP) and becomes a fully accredited member of the medical team. Full college credit will be given for the internship year and applied toward the Bachelor of Science Degree.

Listed below are the hospitals of affiliation for the Medical Laboratory Science Program. Contact the NSU MLS Program Director for information and/or internship application.

Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Lawton
St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa
Mercy Hospital, Ada
Mercy Hospital, Ardmore

Students pursuing the MLS 3+1 Pathway will be required to have a minimum 2.5 GPA (overall and in science) to be eligible for the internship.
A minimum grade of C is required in all MLS Degree Completion 3+1 courses and required general education courses.

MLS 3+1 General Education Requirements

The following are course prerequisites that may be completed as part of the General Education requirements.

Major requirements - 36 hours

Electives - 4 hours

Complete 4 hours of upper level BIOL electives by advisement.

BIOL 3000/4000

Internship - 30 hours

Clinical courses taken while in residence at an approved hospital school of medical technology:

Total for Internship 3+1 Pathway - 70 hours

MLS Degree Completion 2+2 Pathway (7620)

Eligibility for the completion (2+2) degree requires the student to be an employed Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) with an Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science degree. Contact the NSU MLS Program Director for information and/or program application.

A minimum grade of C is required in all MLS Degree Completion 2+2 courses.

MLS 2+2 General Education/Accreditation Requirements

Ten to eleven hours from the following courses may be completed as part of the General Education requirements. An organic chemistry course is an accreditation requirement in addition to the general education requirements.

Clinical Prerequisites - 24 hours

Clinical Courses - 36 hours

Total MLS Degree Completion 2+2 - 60 hours

Admission Standards

1. Completion of Associate of Applied Science degree from accredited Community or Two Year College;

2. Certification as a Medical Laboratory Technician or Clinical Laboratory Technician by an approved national certification agency (ASCP or AMT);

3. Be employed in an accredited clinical laboratory.

4. Be formally admitted to Northeastern State University by submitting an application and official transcripts to the Office of Admissions and Recruitment.

Retention Standards

1. A student must maintain a 2.5 grade point average or above in all didactic coursework;

2. A minimum grade of C is required in all MLS Degree Completion (2+2) courses;

3. A student must complete clinical laboratory competencies as listed in employer competency checklist provided by Medical Laboratory Science program director.

MLS students may be eligible for advanced standing for Clinical Practicum I, II, and III if they meet the following criteria:

Is a Medical Laboratory Technician, ASCP, or AMT certified

AND

Has worked in an accredited medical lab for at least 2 years as an MLT (ASCP/AMT) post certification.

4. A student must pass an annual review by the employer and program director of Medical Laboratory Science program to determine if they are making adequate progress as outlined in the laboratory checklist and by final didactic grades.

Program Dismissal Standards

Students that fail to either earn the grade point average (2.5) or meet laboratory competency criteria will be placed on academic probation for one semester. If the deficiency/deficiencies is/are not corrected by the end of the probationary semester, the student will be suspended from the program. The student may apply for re-admission into the program after one year.

Graduation Standards

1. Successful completion of coursework with a 2.5 or better;

2. Completion of laboratory competencies required to meet NAACLS requirements for the award of a baccalaureate degree in Medical Laboratory Science.

Additional Degree Information - Gregg Wadley College of Science and Health Professions

In addition to general education and program requirements stated above, additional hours may be needed to satisfy all minimum degree requirements listed below.

English Proficiency: Components I and II of English proficiency should be met with grades of “C” or better prior to the completion of 60 credit hours.
A minimum of 124 hours is required. PE activity is limited to four hours. Prior learning credit (CLEP, Advanced Standing, Military Credit, etc) is limited to 30 hours.
A minimum of 30 hours in residence (from NSU) is required for graduation. PE activity is limited to four hours. Hours in residence exclude zero-level courses and prior learning credit such as CLEP, Advanced Placement, Advanced Standing, Military Credit, etc.
A minimum of 40 hours of 3000/4000 level courses is required for graduation.
A minimum of 60 hours from a 4-year school is required for graduation excluding zero level and PE activity courses.
At least fifty percent of the major requirements must be upper division courses (3000 and 4000 level).
At least 18 hours or fifty percent of the major, whichever is greater, must be satisfactorily completed at NSU.
The minimum number of credit hours required in the Liberal Arts and Sciences varies based on the type of degree. B.S. degrees require at least 55 hours and B.S.Ed., B.S.M.L.S., B.S.N., and B.S.S.L.P. degrees require at least 40 hours. Liberal Arts and Sciences (LAS) courses are identified in catalog course descriptions.

For additional information, see Bachelor’s Degree Requirements .