Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences provides the following description for medical laboratory scientist: At career entry, the medical laboratory scientist will be proficient in performing clinical laboratory tests in areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, and molecular and other emerging diagnostics, and will be able to play a role in the development and evaluation of test systems and interpretive algorithms. Graduates will have diverse responsibilities in areas of analysis and clinical decision-making, regulatory compliance with applicable regulations, education, and quality assurance/performance improvement. They will also possess basic knowledge, skills and relevant experience in:

• Communications to enable consultative interactions with members of the health care team, external relations, customer service and patient education.
• Financial operations, marketing and human resource management of the clinical laboratory to enable cost-effective, high-quality, value-added laboratory services.
• Information management to enable effective, timely, accurate and cost-effective reporting of laboratory-generated information.
• Research design/practice sufficient to evaluate published studies as an informed consumer.

Upon graduation and initial employment, the medical laboratory scientist should be able to demonstrate entry-level competencies in the above areas of professional practice. Graduates are eligible to sit for national certification examinations in medical laboratory science after completion of the program.

The Medical Laboratory Scientist performs and makes clinical decisions in urinalysis, hematology, microbiology, transfusion services, and clinical chemistry. This provides valuable patient information to assist in medical diagnosis and treatment. The Medical Laboratory Science program prepares students to become skilled members of the healthcare team.

The Bachelor of Science (BS) Medical Laboratory Science degree articulates with the undergraduate Medical Laboratory Technician degree program. The BS Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). 

Admission Requirements

• Complete the Admission Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• A cumulative high school or postsecondary GPA of 2.5.
• 3 years of high school science, with a recommendation for Anatomy and Physiology or Human Biology, or the postsecondary equivalent.
• 3 years of high school math, with an emphasis on algebra, trigonometry, geometry, and analysis, and placement into MATH A151 or higher, or the postsecondary equivalent.
• Complete the Medical Laboratory Science program application.

Special Consideration

Prior to beginning practicum courses, student must provide documentation of:

• The following immunizations: Hepatitis B titer showing immunity, Hepatitis A, MMR, TDaP, Varicella, Influenza vaccine within the previous 12 months, PPD test or Quantiferon Gold
• Current Basic Life Support certification
• State of Alaska background check
• Current health insurance (must be maintained throughout time in practicum)

Practicum sites may establish additional requirements including, but not limited to, drug screening and health physicals.

Graduation Requirements

• Complete the General University Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees.
• Complete the General Education Requirements for Baccalaureate Degrees. 
• Complete MEDT A250 and MEDT A495 with a minimum grade of C.
• Complete the following major requirements:

A minimum of 122 credits is required for the degree, of which 39 credits must be upper-division. 

Honors in Medical Laboratory Science

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science recognizes distinguished achievement by conferring programmatic honors in medical laboratory science. In order to receive honors in medical laboratory science, a student must meet the following requirements:

1. Meet the requirements for a BS in Medical Laboratory Science.
2. Earn a grade point average of 3.50 or higher in courses applicable to the degree requirements. Only UAA and transfer courses taken within the last seven years will be included in the GPA for departmental honors.
3. Obtain approval to enroll in the honors elective from the program director.
4. Pass the honors elective course, MEDT A402.

Program Student Learning Outcomes

At career entry, the Medical Laboratory Scientist 

• Demonstrate entry-level competencies for medical laboratory scientists in the following disciplines: hematology, chemistry, immunology, blood bank, urine and body fluid analysis, microbiology, and laboratory operations.
• Demonstrate professional behavior including sound work ethics, cultural responsiveness and appearance while interacting with patients and health care professionals.
• Evaluate published studies as an informed consumer.
• Demonstrate continuing competency by certification maintenance.
• Use educator skills to create and deliver an instructional unit.
• Use laboratory management skills to plan, organize, staff and cost out a new clinical laboratory service.
• Demonstrate a commitment to the laboratory profession through active involvement in a professional organization.

Sample Plan

The academic plan below is one pathway through the degree/certificate. It includes all requirements, taking into account recommendations from program faculty. Each student’s plan may vary according to their initial course placement, intended course load, additional majors and/or minors, and their placement into required prerequisite courses. Any change in the plan below can have an unforeseen impact on the rest of the plan. Therefore, it is very important to meet with your academic advisor to verify your personal academic plan.

Please review the following terms, definitions, and resources associated with the sample academic plan below.

• Each course in the far left column links to a pop-up bubble with a course description, prerequisite requirements, and associations with university requirements. For example, if a course fulfills a general education requirement, you will see that in the pop-up bubble.
• GER: indicates a General Education Requirement. GERs that also count toward degree/certificate requirements appear as a specific course in the plan. For these courses, "GER" is not indicated explicitly in the table, but if you click on the course, you will see the course's GER status in the pop-up bubble.
• Program Elective: indicates a specific course selection determined by program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Elective: indicates an open selection of 100-400 level university courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate.
• Upper Division Program Elective: indicates a specific 300-400 level course selection determined by the program faculty to fulfill a degree/certificate requirement. Students should seek assistance from their academic advisor.
• Upper Division Elective: indicates an open selection of 300-400 level courses to fulfill elective credits needed to meet the minimum total credits toward the degree/certificate. These courses must be upper division in order to meet General University Requirements for the particular degree/certificate type.