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Medical Laboratory Science

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The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program prepares graduates to analyze clinical specimens through the use of specialized skills and sophisticated instrumentation.

Information from the analysis of specimens provides data critical for patient diagnosis, treatment, prognosis or disease prevention. Medical laboratory scientists work in hospitals, forensics, public health, industrial/research laboratories, physician offices and blood banks.

The purpose of the Medical Laboratory Science program is to provide the community with cognizant and adept scientists capable of competing and excelling in today’s progressive job market. Graduates of this program will possess the knowledge and skills necessary to become successful in the MLS profession and will be eligible to take the national certification examination offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).

School
School of Health Professions
Career
Medical laboratory scientists in hospitals, labs or clinics. Job opportunities in the field of MLS may also be listed by alternative names including medical lab technologist or clinical laboratory scientist.
Program Contacts

MLS Program Highlights

  • Multifaceted learning
    The methods of instruction used in MLS courses will include formal lectures, case study discussions, audiovisual presentations and web-based exercises. Students will participate in active discussions of case studies and web-based exercises, developing students’ comprehension, problem-solving and critical thinking skills. Students will also participate in state-of-the-art interdisciplinary simulated learning experiences through FranU’s Simulation Environment Teaching Hospital (SETH).
  • Hands-on laboratory experience
    Most professional lecture courses have a correlating student laboratory course and the student laboratory is available for use outside of the regularly scheduled class meetings for additional practice. Students are encouraged to make use of this extra time to develop competency and ensure mastery of the material.
  • Clinical exposure
    Students pursuing the bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science will participate in four, 5-credit hour clinical practicum at an area hospital, providing a vital opportunity for students to put their knowledge into practice in a medical setting.
  • MLS certification prep
    Students successfully completing the Medical Laboratory Science degree are eligible to sit for the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certifying examination offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
  • Student organizations
    The Medical Laboratory Science Association (MLSA) is a student organization whose purpose is to broaden the career scope of the membership. Members are encouraged to participate in professional and community activities and to disseminate information about the career of medical laboratory science.
  • Student scholarships and awards
    The Joy Holm and Betty Lynn Theriot Memorial Scholarships are awarded annually to students in medical laboratory science by the Louisiana Society for Clinical Laboratory Science. The LSCLS also sponsors a student paper award of $150 for the best-written scholarly papers across five different categories.
  • Career support
    FranU clinical laboratory science students have access to career support through Elite Learning Healthcare Jobs, American Society for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (ASCLS) Career Center and American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Job Finder. These resources are available to assist graduates in identifying employment opportunities.

MLS Admission Information

Admission Requirements

A new cohort of MLS students are admitted to the program each summer. Applications for admission to the Bachelor of Science degree program are due on or before March 15th each academic year. The prerequisite general education requirements provide a necessary academic foundation. The applicant’s performance in such prerequisite coursework is an indicator of the applicant’s potential for success within the clinical program.

Priority is given to applicants who have completed the prerequisite coursework at a level that indicates their potential for success in the program and who have provided evidence of understanding the demands of the profession. The academic coursework within the clinical program itself is very demanding.

Students accepted into the program must pass a criminal background check and drug screen in order to meet clinical agency requirements, and final program acceptance is contingent upon background check/drug screen results. Information on the procedure for completing the criminal background check is in the student health packet distributed by the Office of Health and Campus Safety.

A minimum GPA of 2.0 is required for program admission. For further details regarding admissions materials and requirements, visit the Admissions page.

Course-Specific Admission Requirements

  1. A minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.0
  2. Completion of the following general education requirements and program prerequisites with a grade of "C" or better:
  • ASCM1110 Academic Seminar (1 credit hour)
  • WRIT 1310 College Writing I (3 credit hours)
  • WRIT 1311 College Writing II (3 credit hours)
  • THEO 1310 Introduction to Theology (3 credit hours)
  • COMM Elective (3 credit hours)
  • MATH 1315 College Algebra (3 credit hours)
  • MATH 2000 Level (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 1315 Biology for Majors (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 1315L Biology for Majors Laboratory (1 credit hour)
  • BIOL 2310 Human Anatomy and Physiology I ( (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 2310L Human Anatomy and Physiology I Laboratory ( (1 credit hour)
  • BIOL 2311 Human Anatomy and Physiology II ( (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 2311L Human Anatomy and Physiology II Laboratory ( (1 credit hour)
  • BIOL 2325 Fundamentals of Microbiology (3 credit hours)
  • BIOL 2325L Fundamentals of Microbiology Laboratory (1 credit hours)
  • CHEM 1315 General Chemistry I (3 credit hours)
  • CHEM 1315L General Chemistry I Laboratory (1 credit hour)
  • CHEM 1316 General Chemistry II (3 credit hours)
  • CHEM 1316L General Chemistry II Laboratory (1 credit hour)
  • CHEM 2000 Level (3 credit hours)
  • Humanities electives (3 credit hours)
  • Social/Behavioral Science electives (6 credit hours)
  • Ethics/Philosophy elective (3 credit hour)
  • MLSC 1110 Introduction to Medical Laboratory Sciences (1 credit hour)
  • MLSC 1310L Introduction to Laboratory Methods (1 credit hour)

Guaranteed Admission

There are two ways in which students can qualify for guaranteed admission into the Medical Laboratory Science Program:

  1. A student who enters the University as a freshman is guaranteed admission when:
    • All prerequisite courses towards the degree are taken at FranU with at least a grade point average of 3.0 on all prerequisite coursework.
    • All other minimum program admission requirements are met.
  2. A transfer student is guaranteed admission when:
    • More than 30 hours of required coursework in the program (including courses that are in progress at the time of application to the University) are transferred in with at least a grade point average of 3.2 in these courses.
    • A grade point average of at least 3.0 is maintained while completing remaining prerequisite courses at the University.
    • All other minimum admission requirements are met.

**Students transferring in less than 30 hours of coursework may be considered for guaranteed admission. Students falling in this category should call the Admission Office (225-526-1631)**

Upon entry into the clinical portion of the program, ALL students must have successfully completed all program specific admission requirements.

MLS Program Overview & Outcomes

Program Mission

The mission of the Medical Laboratory Science program of ÇàÇà²ÝÊÓƵ is to educate and form highly skilled servant leaders who model professional ethics and exhibit critical thinking skills in order to serve patients by producing quality laboratory test results.

Program Goals

The goals of the Medical Laboratory Science degree program are to:

  1. Admit, retain and graduate a diverse population of academically qualified students.
  2. Provide a high-quality educational experience that imparts to the students the knowledge and skills necessary to ensure success as a clinical laboratory professional.
  3. Provide the healthcare community with knowledgeable and skilled entry-level practitioners.
  4. Promote within the classroom and encourage in the clinical setting the development of both of the following:
    1. Franciscan values as defined by the University mission statement and Ex Corde Ecclesiae
    2. Professional ethics and conduct according to the standards of the profession and the Ethical and Religious Directives for Catholic Healthcare Services.

Program Learning Outcomes (PLOs)

Upon completion of the Medical Laboratory Science program, students will be able to:

  • Apply knowledge of basic/advanced laboratory science concepts and theories to the practice of clinical laboratory medicine.
  • Evaluate discipline-specific case studies, accurately interpreting the results of laboratory testing.
  • Competently perform manual and automated laboratory science procedures as an entry-level practitioner.
  • Demonstrate effective written and oral communication skills within the academic and clinical setting.
  • Demonstrate Franciscan values and professional ethics/conduct within the academic and clinical setting.

MLS FAQs

Is a career in Medical Laboratory Science right for me?

If you are a problem solver with a passion for the science laboratory and attention to detail and you desire to work in a carreer which can help people, MLS may be the right profession for you.

I already have a Bachelor's degree, can I enter directly into the MLS program?

In most cases, yes. Please contact Deborah Fox (Deborah.fox@franu.edu, 225-768-1727) for a complete transcript review. Most science-based Bachelor's degrees include the appropriate credits to transfer directly into the MLS program and begin the 18-month curriculum.

When does the MLS program start?

The MLS program accepts a new cohort of students to begin in the summer semester each year.

Is this a good major to choose if I am considering a future graduate degree such as Physician Assistant, Medical or Veterinary School?

Yes, the MLS curriculum and experience within the MLS field provides an exceptional foundation for advanced career opportunities. Several graduates of the MLS program have chosen to continue their education in graduate school and all have been very successful in advanced healthcare coursework.

Can I take a MLS course if I am not a MLS major?

Yes, contact Deborah Fox (Deborah.fox@franu.edu, 225-768-1727) to find out which MLS courses are available to non-MLS students who have taken the appropriate pre-requisite coursework.

Resources

Document TitleTypeFile Size
Document Title: MLS Handbook 24Type: pdfFile Size: 714.834 KB
Document Title: NAACLS Defined Program Outcomes March 2025Type: pdfFile Size: 158.585 KB

Gain Clinical and Lab Experience in the Medical Laboratory Science BS Degree Program

By enrolling in the Medical Laboratory Science degree program at FranU, you’ll be supported from classroom to career and gain hands-on experience in your field through both clinical and laboratory learning experiences.

Learn more about the MLS program by Requesting Information. Ready to take the next step? Begin your application now.

Regional Accreditation

For information about our SACSCOC accreditation, please visit our Institutional Accreditation page.

NAACLS Accreditation

The Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Medical Laboratory Science (NAACLS, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 or call (773)-714-8880).


Check Out Our Clinical Microbiology Certificate for Medical Laboratory Science Professionals

In addition to the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, FranU also offers a certificate in Clinical Microbiology for Medical Laboratory Science as an option for post-Bachelor degree applicants who have an interest specific to clinical microbiology and meet designated requirements.

Curriculum