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Thomas University Medical Laboratory Science students working in the lab

Medical Laboratory Science

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree from Thomas University prepares students for an exciting and rewarding career in the clinical laboratory.  Medical Laboratory Scientists are an integral part of the healthcare team and aid in the diagnosis of patients through scientific analysis of human samples to yield diagnosis and treatment. Additionally, students who are interested in a pre-medical track with the intention of applying to a medical school after graduation may also pursue this major.

Graduates will be prepared to enter the field with a rich and diversified skill set enabling employment in a variety of laboratories, such as medical and hospital, forensic, pharmaceutical, drug trial, veterinary, physician offices, food and beverage, and other lab-related career fields.

Program Director: Jeanette Norris, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm

Phone: 229-226-1621

+Accreditation

This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119; phone (773) 714-8880; www.naacls.org

+Professional Certification

Certification is a voluntary process; however, most employers prefer to hire certified practitioners and some states require it.

MLS Certification and Requirement Resources

+Program Outcomes

Outcome202220232024*3 year average (includes 2024 Data)
Graduation Rate (total number of students)100% (19)100% (16)100% (17)
Job Placement100%100%100%100%
Number of Students Attempting ASCP-BOC
131213
ASCP-BOC First Year Pass Rate
62%58%69%61%
*2024 data is not final

+Online 2+2 MLS

The 2+2 Medical Laboratory Science program is an online bridge program designed for the medical laboratory technician who has previously earned an associate degree from a NAACLS-accredited MLT program and holds current MLT certification. Students must have a cumulative grade point average of 2.75 or higher to be admitted to the program. Students are accepted each semester. Once accepted, students begin a structured curriculum of online courses and competency-based clinical experiences or other related coursework. Students graduating with the B.S. degree in Medical Laboratory Science from Thomas University will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination at the Medical Laboratory Scientist level.

“This is my second semester at TU. Prior to TU, I had only taken one class online. I was a little uneasy about taking a couple of years’ worth since I’m an older student, but I am truly impressed with my instructors. I know I made the right decision for my MLS degree. I have found all to be professional yet very willing to help a student. ”

– Kimberly W. Fanning, MLT (ASCP)

COURSES

Transfer students must meet the following core curriculum requirements. Students may transfer in courses or complete them at Thomas University.

General Education

  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • College Algebra or Mathematical Modeling
  • Statistics
  • Biology I or equivalent
  • Social Science elective (1 class)
  • Creativity electives (1 class)

Major Courses

  • Orientation to Online Medical Laboratory Science
  • General Chemistry I
  • Parasitology, Mycology and Virology
  • Clinical Urinalysis and Body Fluids II
  • Clinical Immunology & Molecular Diagnostics II
  • Clinical Microbiology II
  • Clinical Hematology and Coagulation II
  • Clinical Immunohematology II
  • Clinical Chemistry II
  • Research Methods in MLS
  • Survey of Organic Chemistry
  • Senior Seminar
  • Medical Laboratory Management
  • Advanced Clinical Practicum OR Advancement Clinical Laboratory Concepts
  • Approved science electives (3 classes)

Total Credits 120

CIP Code 51.1099

+Online Second Bachelor’s in MLS option

Admission Criteria
Admission Requirements: Students who wish to apply to the MLS second bachelor’s degree program must have a minimum GPA of 2.75 and have completed a baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology or other physical science at a regionally accredited college and fulfill the following pre-requisite courses or equivalent.

All MLS Majors are required to complete the following Thomas University General Education Courses:

  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • College Algebra or higher
  •  Statistics
  • Biology I or equivalent
  • Social Science elective (1 class)
  • Creativity electives (1 class)

MAJOR COURSES

  • Major Courses
  • General Chemistry I
  • Survey of Organic Chemistry
  • Approved science electives (3 classes)
  • Introduction to Medical Laboratory Science
  • Introduction to Medical Laboratory Science Experience
  • Orient to Online Medical Lab Science
  • Parasitology, Mycology and Virology
  • Clinical Urinalysis and Body Fluids II
  • Clinical Immunology and Molecular Diagnostics II
  • Clinical Microbiology II
  • Clinical Hematology and Coagulation II
  • Clinical Immunohematology II
  • Clinical Chemistry II
  • Research Methods in MLS
  • Senior Seminar
  • Medical Laboratory Management
  • Clinical Internship

Total Credits 120

CIP Code 51.1099

+Online Biomedical Laboratory Science

A degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science includes a course of scientific study related to biology as it affects healthcare. It is designed as a degree completion program for students who have earned an Associate Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and do not intend to take the MLS (ASCP) BOC exam by the American Society for Clinical Pathologists via route 1. Other MT certifications may be taken after completing this degree.

COURSES

General Education

  • Composition I
  • Composition II
  • College Algebra or Mathematical Modeling
  • Statistics
  • Biology I or equivalent
  • Social Science elective (1 class)
  • Creativity electives (1 class)

Major Courses

  • Orientation to Online Medical Laboratory Sicence
  • Parasitology, Mycology and Virology
  • Clinical Urinalysis & Body Fluids
  • Clinical Immunology & Molecular Diagnostics
  • Clinical Microbiology II
  • Clinical Hematology & Coagulation II
  • Clinical Immunohematology II
  • Clinical Chemistry II

Science Elective Credits: (choose 5 courses)

  • Biochemistry
  • Microbiology
  • Medical Molecular Cell Biology
  • Medical Genetics
  • Pathophysiology
  • Research Methods in MLS or Research Methods
  • Medical Laboratory Management

Total Credits 122

CIP Code 26.0102

Send official transcripts to admissions@thomasu.edu

Or

Admissions Office, Thomas University, 1501 Millpond Road, Thomasville, GA 31792

Students with no prior college, please provide an official high school transcript or GED.Students with prior college credit and those applying to the 2+2 program must submit official transcripts from all previously attended colleges. You can order transcripts from prior colleges here.

Students applying to the MLS 2+2 program who have recently completed their program can be admitted and begin working toward their bachelor's degree. However, they must pass the MLT exam within two semesters. Once accepted into the major courses, the program director will work with you to secure the necessary additional documents.

Students who wish to apply to the MLS post-baccalaureate certificate program must have completed a baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, microbiology or other physical science at a regionally accredited college with a Cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. They must also fulfill the following pre-requisite courses or equivalent:

  • College Algebra or higher
  • Statistics
  • Biology I or equivalent
  • General Chemistry I
  • General Chemistry II
  • Anatomy & Physiology I
  • Anatomy & Physiology II
  • Survey of Organic Chemistry

Admission to the MLS program requires a cumulative GPA of 2.75 or higher. Students pursuing the Biomedical Laboratory Science program must have a cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher.

What is the career outlook for Medical Laboratory Scientists?

Overall employment of medical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow five (5) percent from 2022 to 2032, faster than the average for all occupations. An increase in the aging population is expected to lead to a greater need to diagnose medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures.

What Can I Do with This Degree?

Laboratory Scientists in small laboratories perform many types of tests; in large laboratories, they sometimes specialize. They test and analyze body fluids, operate laboratory equipment such as microscopes, record data from medical tests and enter results into a patient's medical record and discuss results and findings with physicians and nurses.

The following are examples of types of specialized medical laboratory technologists:

  • Blood bank scientists, or immunohematology scientists, collect blood, classify it by type, and prepare blood and its components for transfusions.
  • Clinical chemistry scientists prepare specimens and analyze the chemical and hormonal contents of body fluids.
  • Hematology scientists examine blood to identify conditions or diseases such as blood clots or cancer
  • Molecular Biology Scientists perform protein and nucleic acid tests such as gene sequencing on cell samples.
  • Microbiology scientists examine and identify bacteria and other microorganisms.
Laboratory Scientists and technicians often specialize after they have worked in a particular area for a long time, or have received advanced education or training. Some students use this program as a pre-professional track for medical school. often specialize after they have worked in a particular area for a long time or have received advanced education or training in that area. Some students use this program as a pre-professional track for medical school. Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics

Program Director and Clinical Coordinator:
Jeanette Norris, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm

Affiliate Professor:
Dawn Williamson, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm

Adjunct Professors:
Nickellatt Callihan-Walker, MHA, MLS (ASCP) Rebecca James, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm
Hind Kurbaj, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm
Georgia Smith, M.Ed., MBA, MLS (ASCP)
Rebecca Stratford, MS, MLS(ASCP)cm

Thomas University

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...Empowers...
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1501 Millpond Road
Thomasville, GA 31792
229.226.1621
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