Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science

On this page:

• Why Choose the Medical Laboratory Science Program?
• Careers
• Academics and Curriculum
• Admission
• Clinical Affiliates
• Request Information

Why Choose the Medical Laboratory Science Program?

The Medical Laboratory Science program includes three years of study at Wright State and a one-year clinical laboratory curriculum accredited by the American Medical Association Council on Medical Education through the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018.  Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. They also become eligible to take the national certification examination for medical laboratory scientists given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

In the Fall semester of their preclinical year, students apply through the department for admission into the medical laboratory program. Criteria used to determine admission include the academic record, letters of recommendation, and a personal interview. The number of positions in each class for the clinical year is limited.

The courses are oriented toward job performance, theory, and clinical correlation. Students are placed in varied practice environments. They are also oriented to the need for continuing education and leadership in the planning and management of laboratory services. The program plan is specifically designed to facilitate student progress, and promote career development in any geographic location.

Program Outcomes of the Wright State University MLS program for the past five years *

Year	Graduation Rate	Job Placement within 1yr.	BOC pass rate 1st attempt & within 1st year
2019	100	100	93 and 100%
2020	100	93	93 and 100%
2021	100	100	93 and 100%
2022	92	100	55 and 91%
2023	100`	100	87.5 and 87.5%

*Data presented according to NAACLS Standard II.B, Outcome Measures.  Certification Pass Rate is defined as percent of students who pass the ASCP-BOC within the first year of graduation, the Graduation Rate represents the percent of students who progress into the second half of our program year and graduate, and the Placement Rate shows the percent of graduates who report finding employment as an MLS, working in a closely related field, or continuing their education within one year of graduation.

Careers

There are many jobs both in the local area and throughout the United States. Many graduates are hired by the clinical training sites but many other employment opportunities are available. Medical Laboratory Scientists work in industrial research, biomedical research, pharmaceutical companies, teaching, product development and as sales and training representatives for related industries. Their excellent technical skills are considered valuable to many industries. Salaries vary with geographic region and most industry provides reimbursement for related advanced education. Many institutions offer flexible scheduling or a choice of day, evening or night shifts. Medical Laboratory Scientists poised to continue their education as specialists, masters, or doctoral level.

Essential Functions for the Medical Laboratory Scientist Professional skills

• Must be emotionally stable
• Must be able to deal with stress and maintain emotions under pressure and time constraints in a socially acceptable manner
• Must be able to maintain professional attitude and composure in a wide variety of situations
• Must be able to maintain confidentiality
• Must be able and willing to follow directions
• Must be able to make decisions, prioritize tasks, and work on multiple tasks simultaneously
• Must be able to work independently and in cooperation with others
• Must be able to apply acquired learned skills and knowledge to new situations
• Must be able and willing to work with potential biologic, chemical, radiological, mechanical and electrical hazards
• Must maintain personal hygiene and neatness

Communication Skills

• Must be able to communicate effectively in spoken and written English
• Must be able to comprehend and respond to both formal and colloquial English in person-to-person interactions, in written communications; and in telephone conversations

Physical Requirements

• Locomotion: Must have the coordination to allow free movement from one location to another in clinical areas, student laboratories, patient rooms, stairways and elevators
• Motor skills: Must have the ability to lift and move objects of twenty pounds and must have the fine motor coordination to perform delicate manipulations of clinical specimens and instruments
• Tactile requirements: Must have a sense of touch and temperature discrimination
• Visual acuity: Must be able to distinguish major colors, identify and distinguish objects and fine details both macroscopically and microscopically Must have depth perception.

Academics and Curriculum

Didactic Course Work

Didactic Course Work: Students attend classes for approximately 7 hours each day. They begin with an orientation/phlebotomy course and progress through urinalysis/body fluids, immunology/serology, hematology, coagulation, chemistry, microbiology, and blood banking (transfusion services). The day is typically divided into 3 hours of lecture and 3+ hours of laboratory procedures. The last week of didactic includes individual subject reviews and a comprehensive examination.

Clinical Rotations

Clinical rotations begin in mid-September. Location, preference and individual learning styles determine student assignments. Students attend the rotation Monday - Thursday, and return to campus on Friday for lectures in advanced studies and specific case studies. The clinical faculty administer quizzes and complete mid and final rotation evaluations on each student. The Program faculty is available at any time during these rotations to discuss student progress or any other related issues.

The Wright State program is fortunate to have many laboratory affiliates. Clinical sites range from small community hospital laboratories to large reference laboratories. All students also rotate through several specialty laboratories including the Community Blood Center/Tissue Center, Compunet Clinical Lab Speciality labs; Special Microbiology, Special Coagulation and Flow Cytometry. These multiple sites provide exposure to various laboratory environments and employment opportunities.

Program Completion

The last week of the 12-month program includes a comprehensive examination. Upon completion of the MLS program, students from a 3 + 1 program receive their baccalaureate degree in the Spring. Students who enter the program with a Bachelor's degree, receive a certificate after completion of the program. Wright State University MLS graduates have on average  > 90% pass rate on national certification examinations for the past several years compared to a national average. Passing a national examination is not required for graduation. 

Program Mission and Curriculum Goals

Since 1980, the Wright State University Medical Laboratory Science/Medical Technology Program has developed and implemented a comprehensive 12-month clinical year which enables the student to master the skills and competencies needed to be a qualified practitioner.  The program provides the student with meaningful educational experiences through study and application.

The clinical education curriculum is designed to provide individuals with the essential knowledge, proficiency and experience for the practice of laboratory science.  The courses are oriented toward job performance, theory, and clinical correlation.  Students are placed in varied practice environments.  They are also oriented to the need for continuing education and leadership in the planning and management of laboratory services.

At the core of the plan of instruction lie the fundamental curriculum goals:

• To educate laboratory scientists, who can adjust to changing roles and perform in various types of laboratories, and who, with experience and/or further education, will become administrators, teachers or specialists,
• To encourage the development of scientific attitudes, professional habits of thinking and philosophy of life-long learning,
• To promote interaction, cooperation and intellectual growth within the laboratory community,
• To generate and apply new knowledge for the improvement of health care,

View Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program information, degree requirements, and graduation planning strategy in the Academic Catalog.

Admission

Prospective students apply before November 1 of the calendar year preceding May admission. They are required to complete an application and supply three letters of recommendation with evaluation forms, and to have a minimum overall GPA of 2.7 and a minimum grade of C in all science courses. Students may enter after acceptance to the program and three years of an approved medical laboratory science curriculum or with a B.S. in science. A committee will then interview and rank the qualified applicants. The MLS Advisory Committee votes at the annual meeting in January to accept or reject proposed applicants. Accepted students enroll for the summer term and begin their didactic classes. Graduates of an approved CLT/MLT program are considered on an individual basis. If you want more information or wish to schedule an appointment, contact Stephanie Balsom.

Use the green APPLY button to submit your application and statement for consideration.  Please send the link or use the downloadable Letter of Recommendation/Evaluation form to your references (2 Science instructors and one employer/advisor/mentor, etc.)

• Applicant Reference for MLS Clinical Year

Wright State University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, age, national origin, national ancestry, sex, pregnancy, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, military service or veteran status, mental or physical disability, or genetic information in employment, admission, treatment, or access to its programs or activities.

Wright State University adheres to all applicable state and federal equal opportunity/affirmative action statutes and regulations.

Clinical Affiliates

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