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Medical Laboratory Science (MLT to MLS) BS

Undergraduate

Are you currently a Medical Laboratory Technician looking to further your career in the medical laboratory profession? If so, the online Medical Laboratory Science degree (MLS) from Southern Miss may be the right fit for you. This online bachelor’s degree MLS was created specifically for working Medical Laboratory Technicians who want to earn their Medical Laboratory Science BS degree. Our program will provide you with the knowledge and skills needed to be a Medical Laboratory Scientist in a clinical laboratory.

This affordable program gives you the ability to earn your degree fully online and complete your clinical at your current place of employment! Our online Medical Laboratory Science degree is for certified Medical Laboratory Technicians who have been working for at least two years and are currently employed.

Let Southern Miss help you get the online medical laboratory science degree you want and deserve. Keep climbing the career ladder in this health field that you love! This is your life, plus college.

A number of scholarship opportunities are available to online students. To find our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, click here.

The University of Southern Mississippi is Accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Additionally, the online Medical Laboratory Science degree is also accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). That means you can expect a program with the highest standards and quality.

General Education Curriculum

Written Communication

Course Credits
Composition One
3 hrs.
Composition Two
3 hrs.

Natural Science

Select 2 courses with labs:

Course Credits
Biology and Society *
3 hrs.
Principles of Biological Science I *
3 hrs.
Principles of Biological Science II *
3 hrs.
Chemistry and Our Environment *
3 hrs.
General Chemistry I *
3 hrs.
General Chemistry II *
3 hrs.
Weather and Climate *
3 hrs.
General Physics I *
3 hrs.
General Physics II *
3 hrs.

Humanities

Course Credits
World Literature
3 hrs.

Select 2 courses, 1 History required

Course Credits
World Civilizations: Beginnings to 1500 C.E.
3 hrs.
World Civilizations: 1500 to the Present
3 hrs.
Introduction to Philosophy
3 hrs.
Ethics and Good Living
3 hrs.
Comparative Religion
3 hrs.

Aesthetic Values

Select 1 course:

Course Credits
Art Appreciation
3 hrs.
Dance Appreciation
3 hrs.
The Enjoyment of Music
3 hrs.

Social and Behavioral Sciences

Select 2 courses:

Course Credits
The Human Experience: A Global Perspective on Human Diversity
3 hrs.
Basic Economics
3 hrs.
World Geography: Dynamics of a Changing Earth
3 hrs.
American Government
3 hrs.
General Pschology
3 hrs.
Understanding Society: Principles of Sociology
3 hrs.

Mathematics

Course Credits
Quantitative Reasoning
3 hrs.
College Algebra
3 hrs.

Writing-Intensive Requirement

Course Credits
Technical Writing
3 hrs.

ENG 101 & 102 prerequisites

Speaking Intensive Requirement

Course Credits
Oral Communication
3 hrs.

Capstone Requirement

Course Credits
Clinical Bacteriology II (Capstone)
3 hrs.
Hematology I (Capstone)
3 hrs.
Clinical Immunohematology (Capstone)
3 hrs.
Clinical Chemistry II (Capstone)
3 hrs.

Must be taken Senior Year; ENG 101 & ENG 102 prerequisites

Program Curriculum

Major Area of Study Requirement (74 hours)

Course Credits
Introduction to Medical Laboratory Science
1 hrs.
Phlebotomy I
3 hrs.
Safety for Health Care Settings
1 hrs.
Clinical Laboratory Calculations
3 hrs.
Clinical Bacteriology I *
3 hrs.
Fundamentals of Hematology *
3 hrs.
Clinical Chemistry *
3 hrs.
Introduction to Clinical Immunology *
3 hrs.
Body Fluids *
3 hrs.
Clinical Bacteriology II (Capstone) *
3 hrs.
Clinical Mycology *
3 hrs.
Clinical Parasitology *
3 hrs.
Hematology I (Capstone) *
3 hrs.
Clinical Immunodiagnostics I *
3 hrs.
Clinical Immunohematology (Capstone) *
3 hrs.
Clinical Chemistry II (Capstone) *
3 hrs.
Special Chemistry *
1 hrs.
Coagulation *
1 hrs.
Principles of Clinical Administration and Education
1 hrs.
Urinalysis
3 hrs.
Clinical Microbiology
4 hrs.
Hematology II
3 hrs.
Clinical Immunodiagnostics II
1 hrs.
Blood Bank
3 hrs.
Clinical Chemistry III
4 hrs.

Additional Requirements (15-26 hours)

Course Credits
General Chemistry I *
3 hrs.
College Algebra
3 hrs.
Introduction to Computing
3 hrs.

Select 1 sequence:

Course Credits
Principles of Biological Science I *
3 hrs.
Principles of Biological Science II *
3 hrs.

Or

Course Credits
Human Anatomy and Physiology I *
3 hrs.
Human Anatomy and Physiology II *
3 hrs.

Select 1 course and lab:

Course Credits
General Microbiology *
3 hrs.
Microorganisms in Health and Disease *
3 hrs.

Electives

 Choose electives as needed with advisor’s approval. (See Hours to Degree below.)

Note:

♦ This major requires the selection of a sequence to fulfill the GEC Science Requirement.

Students who choose BSC 110/BSC 110L and BSC 111/BSC 111L can choose either BSC 380/BSC 380L or BSC 381/BSC 381L.

Students who choose BSC 250/BSC 250L and BSC 251/BSC 251L must choose BSC 381/BSC 381L.

BSC 110/BSC 110L and BSC 111/BSC 111L must be taken as a sequence.

BSC 250/BSC 250L and BSC 251/BSC 251L must be taken as a sequence.

 

 

Additional Note

Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.

* Requires additional 1 hour lab
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the costs for the online medical laboratory science degree?

To find pricing information, click here. For financial aid information, click here. For detailed tuition information, click here.

For degrees other than our online medical laboratory science degree, please visit our programs page here: https://online.usm.edu/programs/

Other classes that aren’t listed may count towards your degree once your transcript has been evaluated and posted.

No, online medical laboratory science degree students pay resident tuition. For information about pricing, click here.

If yes, visit online.usm.edu/military for more information on how Southern Miss can serve you and your needs.   We will help you with funding and scholarship information, admissions, and course enrollment.

Yes, the online medical laboratory science degree program is available totally online. Students are not required to visit campus for an in-class lecture; however, an online lecture may be required by your instructor.

Additional course fees may apply to the online medical laboratory science degree.  Fees range between $20-$60

Contact Mary Lux at mary.lux@usm.edu

If you still have questions, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!

Admission Requirements

Admission Requirements:

  • See University Admission Policies
  • If more students are interested in the program than capacity allows, students will be selected to continue based on GPA.

Program Academic Policies and Requirements:

  1. have a minimum degree GPA of 2.0;
  2. have earned a C or better in required biological science, chemistry, and math coursework (see degree plan for details);
  3. have completed MLS 202 and MLS 203;
  4. have completed other prerequisites and corequisites for MLS 301, MLS 301L, MLS 302, MLS 302L, MLS 306, MLS 306L, MLS 315, MLS 315L; and
  5. have earned grades of C or better on all MLS courses.
  • Students must make a C or higher in all junior-level MLS courses.
  • Students may repeat one junior-level MLS course without permission from the faculty to improve the grade, but a second repeat of the course will require a justification to the faculty and a vote of approval from them.
  • In order to proceed into senior-level coursework, students must:
  1. Maintain a degree GPA and a science GPA of 2.3 (the science GPA includes all BSC, CHE, MAT, and MLS courses in the curriculum);
  2. Maintain required professional liability insurance, physical report, and vaccinations for hepatitis, influenza, tetanus, and MMR (unless physician indicates contraindications);
  3. Complete required courses; and
  4. Demonstrate the qualities and attitudes necessary for a competent professional.
  • Students with felony convictions may not be able to complete the degree because they may not be able to perform the clinical experience.

Language Proficiency: Regardless of courses taken previously, if English is not the native language of any student, evidence of English proficiency must be provided prior to admission into the senior year. The English Language Institute (ELI) English Language Proficiency Examination requirement is “Proficiency II” and is preferred by the department. Alternately, an internet-based TOEFL of 71 may be accepted.

Licensure Requirements: Although Mississippi does not have licensure for medical laboratory scientists, other states may require a state license. Graduates of the program who intend to practice outside of Mississippi should consult the state licensing board in the state in which employment is sought.

Internships and Career Development:

  • All students in their senior year will be required to complete a 20-week clinical session at one of the affiliated hospitals. Please see the school for details.
  • Graduates of this accredited program are able to sit for the national certification exam offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) to earn the credential MLS (ASCP)cm.  This certification provides graduates with job opportunities in clinical laboratories.

Accreditation: The MLS program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical LaboratorySciences, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119

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