The MLS major consists of two distinct academic phases: the Pre-Professional Phase and the Professional Phase.  During the Pre-Professional Phase, the first two years of the four-year major, students complete UIS general education requirements and MLS prerequisites. During the Professional Phase, the final two years of the four-year major, students complete the MLS core courses and obtain clinical experience during practicum courses.  The Professional Phase is the NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Science program.  All students must complete a secondary admissions process and be accepted by the MLS Program before they may begin the Professional Phase.

The MLS Program admits students to the Professional Phase in fall semesters only. To be eligible for admission to the MLS Professional Phase, students must:

  • Successfully complete all Pre-Professional Phase courses (C- or higher) prior to entering the Professional Phase
  • Earn a minimum 2.5 GPA in MLS prerequisite courses
  • Apply to and be accepted by UIS
  • Apply to and be accepted by the MLS Program
    • MLS application requirements can be viewed in the UIS Catalog

Applying to the MLS Program

Students interested in applying to the MLS Program must first apply to and be accepted by UIS. Once a student is accepted to UIS and has completed or is on track to complete all Pre-Professional coursework, the student may apply to the MLS Program.

Students interested in pursuing MLS should consult with the MLS Academic Advisor, Chrissy Benoit, as soon as possible to ensure they are on track to complete all requirements prior to the start of the Professional Phase.

Lincoln Land Community College (LLCC) students: Refer to our current 2+2 agreement to determine which LLCC courses satisfy the MLS Program's Pre-Professional requirements.

Apply to UIS
Apply to the MLS Program for Fall 2024

Applicants for the incoming Fall 2024 cohort will not be required to complete a personal interview as part of the MLS secondary admissions process. Applicants for future cohorts may be required to complete a personal interview as part of the MLS secondary admissions process.

Pre-Professional Phase

During the Pre-Professional Phase, students complete:

  • UIS general education requirements
  • MLS prerequisite courses:
    • Two semesters of General Biology
    • Two semesters of General Chemistry
    • One semester of Organic Chemistry with a laboratory
    • One semester of Microbiology
    • One semester of Statistics

Recommended Pre-Professional Phase Course Sequence

Fall Semester - Year 1

  • ENG 101: Composition I (3 hours)
  • Freshman Seminar (3 hours
  • BIO 141: General Biology I (4 hours)
  • CHE 141: General Chemistry I (4 hours)

Spring Semester - Year 1

  • ENG 102: Composition II (3 hours)
  • Humanities Comparative Societies (3 hours)
  • BIO 142: General Biology II (4 hours)
    • other courses may satisfy this requirement, consult your MLS Academic Advisor for options
  • CHE 142: General Chemistry II (4 hours)

Fall Semester - Year 2

  • Elective (3 hours)
    • As needed to meet minimum required hours for degree
  • CHE 267: Organic Chemistry I (3 hours)
  • CHE 268: Organic Chemistry I Lab (1 hour)
  • BIO 231 and 232: Applied Microbiology with Lab (4 hours)
    or
    BIO 495: General Microbiology
  • Social Behavioral Science (3 hours)

Spring Semester - Year 2

  • MAT 121: Applied Statistics (3 hours)
  • COM 112: Oral Communications (3 hours)
  • Humanities: Visual/Creative/Performing Arts (3 hours)
  • Social Behavioral Science (3 hours)
  • Social Behavioral Science (3 hours)

Professional Phase

During the Professional Phase, students complete:

  • UIS ECCE requirements
  • MLS core courses
  • MLS clinical practicum courses

Professional Phase Course Sequence

Fall Semester - Year 3

  • MLS 301: Foundations in Medical Laboratory Science (1 hour)
  • MLS 311: Laboratory Operations (2 hours)
  • MLS 341: Physiologic Processes (3 hours)
  • MLS 382: Hematology I (3 hours)
  • MLS 448: Introduction to Immunology (3 hours)
  • MLS 449: Introductory Immunology Lab (1 hour)
  • UNI 301: ECCE - Speaker Series (1 hour)

Spring Semester - Year 3

  • MLS 383: Medical Microbiology I (4 hours)
  • MLS 384: Clinical Chemistry I (4 hours)
  • MLS 442: Hematology II (4 hours)
  • MLS 468: Immunohematology (4 hours)

Summer Semester - Year 3

  • MLS 331: Evidence-Based Inquiry (2 hours)
  • MLS 443: Medical Microbiology II (3 hours)
  • MLS 444: Clinical Chemistry II (3 hours)

Fall Semester - Year 4

  • MLS 477: Molecular Diagnostics (2 hours)
  • MLS 487: ECCE - Practicum I (6 hours)
  • MLS 497: Senior Seminar I (2 hours)
  • U.S. Communities or Global Awareness ECCE (3 hours)
  • *consult MLS Academic Advisor for options

Spring Semester - Year 4

  • MLS 481: Education and Management (2 hours)
  • MLS 488: ECCE - Practicum II (6 hours)
  • MLS 496: Special Topics Practicum (2 hours)
  • MLS 498: Senior Seminar II (2 hours)

Student Learning Outcomes

Graduates of the MLS Program will be able to:

  1. Perform laboratory tests accurately and efficiently, maintain and troubleshoot commonly used methods and automated instruments.
  2. Demonstrate entry level competency necessary to perform the full range of clinical laboratory tests in Clinical Chemistry, Hematology/Hemostasis, Immunology, Immunohematology, Microbiology, Urine and Body Fluid Analysis, Laboratory Operations, and other emerging diagnostic areas
  3. Evaluate laboratory test results for correlation with clinical conditions, suggest additional testing, and resolve pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical problems.
  4. Demonstrate competency in the principles and practices of clinical study design, implementation and dissemination of results in order to apply evidence-based research into clinical practice.
  5. Apply ethical, safety, and governmental regulations and standards to the practice of medical laboratory science.
  6. Communicate effectively and respectfully in order to serve the needs of patients, the public and members of the health care team from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
  7. Demonstrate administrative skills consistent with principles and practices of administration and supervision as applied to medical laboratory science, including quality management.
  8. Exhibit principles and practices of professional conduct and demonstrate readiness to engage in life-long learning through continuing professional development, scholarship, service, and participation in professional organizations.
  9. Demonstrate educational methodologies and terminology sufficient to train/educate users and providers of laboratory services.
  10. Discuss research as a process of inquiry and critical thinking; identify and evaluate suitable sources; conduct searches strategically; use and communicate information appropriately; and recognize that information has value.

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Articulation

Special opportunities to accelerate the clinical practicum courses are available for individuals who have completed an associate degree Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program and who have passed the ASCP BOC MLT certification examination.  MLS faculty, in collaboration with department specific clinical affiliate staff, will determine the appropriate practicum duration based on individual student proficiency. Articulation students must also still complete all UIS graduation requirements to earn a B.S. degree in MLS.

Candidates interested in this articulation opportunity should contact the MLS Program Director, Andrea Jensen, to discuss curriculum planning based on their previous academic and clinical experiences.

Pre-Medical Concentration

Students can formalize their preparation for medical or professional school by earning the MLS Pre-Medical Concentration. Students are not required to complete the Pre-Medical Concentration in order to apply to medical school or other professional school. The Pre-Medical Concentration courses must be completed in addition to all required MLS Pre-Professional and Professional Phase courses. For full details on the Pre-Medical Concentration, please refer to the UIS Catalog.

Honors in MLS

MLS majors with a cumulative GPA equal to or greater than 3.25 in the MLS Program and one semester in residency at UIS may elect to participate in the MLS honors option. In addition to the MLS Program requirements, honors students must:

  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.25
  • Earn a minimum grade of B- for each course in the MLS Program
  • Successfully complete three credits of MLS 400: Applied Research 
  • Present their findings in a formal paper and public presentation

Prior to the final semester of the MLS Professional Phase, interested candidates must secure a faculty research advisor and submit an Honors in MLS Application. Final Honors in MLS work must be approved by the faculty research advisor, MLS Program Director, and School of Health Sciences Director. Full details can be found in the MLS Student Handbook.

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