This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
5600 N River Rd., Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
(773) 714-8880
Program Description
The clinical laboratory plays a major role in diagnostic medicine. Graduates of the Program in Medical Laboratory Science (medical technology) analyze patient specimens for indications of disease. Results of these tests are used by the physician in confirming the patient's diagnosis and in prescribing therapy. Academic preparation for a career in medical laboratory science is a four-year baccalaureate degree, including a clinical preceptorship. Two years of prerequisite courses in chemistry, mathematics, biology, microbiology, and liberal arts precede a two-year professional component dealing specifically with medical laboratory science. The professional program combines didactic instruction with student laboratory experience, followed by clinical practice in affiliated laboratories.
The TTUHSC Medical Laboratory Science program culminates in the Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Graduates of the program are eligible to sit for a national certification examination.
TTU Honors College students accepted into the MLS program may complete honors college credit in the School of Health Professions and graduate with the honors designation.
Individuals seeking a second Bachelor's degree are welcome to apply to the B.S. in MLS program.
Special Features
Candidates seeking a degree in medical laboratory science have the option of pursuing the Bachelor of Science in medical laboratory science tract offered at the Lubbock campus or the second-degree online track for students who already hold a Bachelor of Science degree. A third track is available for students who wish to earn a certificate in medical laboratory science. All three tracts are eligible to sit for the national certification in clinical laboratory science through the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (BOC).
Some states require additional state licensure (California, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, Tennessee, and West Virginia). Since each state has its own set of rules and guidelines, you must contact the licensure agency in each state for information about these requirements which can be found at https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/verify-credentials.
Essential Functions/Technical Standards
Essential functions and technical standards represent the essential non-academic requirements that students must master to successfully participate in and complete the program. Please consider your ability to meet these functions as you read through the list below of the technical abilities and skills. Students must meet the following technical standards with or without reasonable accommodations.
- Mobility: The student must have adequate gross mobility in order to maneuver in a timely and safe fashion throughout the department. The student must be able to lift his or her arms above shoulder height in order to place or remove items of ten pounds or less from shelves. The student must be able to bend over at the waist or squat (waist and knees) in order to place and remove items of ten pounds or less from drawers and cabinets.
- Manual Dexterity: The student must have adequate fine motor skills to be able to manipulate small objects in a safe and precise manner. Examples would include (but are not limited to) being able to operate a computer keyboard; dial a telephone; handle cuvettes, sample cups, pipette tips, and reagent vials; pick up glass slides from tabletop, manipulate tools and instruments used in the clinical laboratory (including a microscope and pipettes); collect specimens, and use a pen or pencil in order to communicate effectively in writing for coursework and clinical/fieldwork/preceptorship to ensure patient/client safety.
- Auditory Acuity: The student must be able to hear well enough to respond to significant sounds in a clinical lab. Examples would include (but are not limited to) being able to hear signals generated from instrumentation that may indicate normal operating status, critical sample value or equipment malfunction, and being able to hear and follow verbal instruction from a coworker or supervisor in order to ensure patient safety. (National Patient Safety Goals NPSG)
- Verbal Communication Skills: The student must be able to orally communicate professionally to persons on the telephone or other health care workers listening specifically, to the student in-person to ensure patient safety. (National Patient Safety Goals NPSG)
- Visual Acuity to read, write, discern colors, and use a microscope: The student must have adequate eyesight such that he/she can recognize and distinguish gradients of color (such as on a urine reagent strip and special stains), read numbers and words either on a video display screen, computer printout, or legible handwriting, and interpret lines and points on graphs and charts to ensure patient safety.
- Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quality Skills: The student must possess the ability to develop and exhibit organizational problem-solving skills. Specifically, the student must have the ability to measure, calculate, analyze, interpret, synthesize, and evaluate data; have the ability to learn to perform duties and assignments in a timely manner while under stress and in a variety of settings; exhibit the maturity to accept feedback and demonstrate professional conduct in the classroom, laboratory, and at the preceptorship site.
- Social Behavior Skills: Demonstrate respect for individual, social, and cultural differences in fellow students, faculty, staff, patients, clients, and patients’/clients’ families during clinical/fieldwork/preceptorship/and academic interactions. Demonstrate flexibility and the ability to adjust to changing situations and uncertainty in academic and clinical/fieldwork/ preceptorship situations. Conduct oneself in an ethical and legal manner, demonstrating honesty, integrity, and professionalism in all interactions and situations.
Admission to the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program
This program begins in August of each year. Third-year students (juniors) seeking admission must have the required number of semester hours of credit for admission. All courses must be completed prior to beginning the professional program. A personal interview is the final part of the admissions review.
Application Process
Applications are considered on a rolling basis for acceptance into the professional program. Individual applications are reviewed once materials have been received; therefore, it is in the applicant’s best interest to complete their application, including submission of required documentation, as early as possible. Fulfillment of the basic requirements does not guarantee admission. The following is required for an individual to be considered for the MLS program:
- Completion of the Texas Common Core, Information on the Texas Common Core curriculum can be found at https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/texas-common-core.aspx.
- Specific prerequisite courses must be completed before applying to the professional phase of the Medical Laboratory Science program.
- A minimum overall GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale and a grade of “C” or better in each standard science prerequisite course is required. GPA calculations are based on the required courses.
- Applicants that have not completed the required prerequisites, must submit a plan of completion at the time of application to the SHP Office of Admissions. All prerequisites must be completed by August of the enrollment year.
Applicants who meet the above listed requirements and are deemed competitive candidates for admission will be invited to TTUHSC for an interview. The admissions committee selects the most qualified applicants for admission by considering the following: cumulative GPA, prerequisite science GPA, interview scores, student essay, and other factors.
Prerequisite Course Requirements
Students wishing to enter the Medical Laboratory Science program should choose either the standard, pre-med or pre-PA option. Substitution of courses may be authorized by the Program Director.
Texas Common Core Requirements (42 minimum hours)
Information on the Texas Common Core curriculum can be found at https://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/admissions/texas-common-core.aspx.
STANDARD OPTION SCIENCE PREREQUISITES* |
| Credit Hours |
General Chemistry I with lab | 4 |
General Chemistry II with lab | 4 |
Biology I or A&P I with lab | 4 |
Biology II or A&P II with lab | 4 |
Microbiology with lab | 4 |
Intro to Organic or Organic Chemistry I with lab | 4 |
| Genetics or science elective | 3-4 |
| Total Hours = 27 |
*These hours may be included as part of your Texas Common Core. |
|
Pre-Med Option Prerequisites
The pre-med mentor program is designed to provide direction to students interested in attending medical school following the completion of a degree in medical laboratory science. The primary purpose of this program is to help the student, by means of meetings and counseling, to prepare for and apply to medical school. Preparation for the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), the admission interview, and other aspects of personal preparation are considered. The goal of this program is to provide to those students with both academic and professional potential the best opportunity to successfully gain admission to medical school.
STANDARD PREREQUISITES PLUS THE FOLLOWING: |
Required Course | Semester Hours |
Organic Chemistry II | 4 |
Physics I & II | 8 |
Calculus I or Statistics | 3 |
Biochemistry | 4 |
*Must verify with medical school of choosing as prerequisites vary per school. |
|
Pre-Physician Assistant Option Prerequisites
STANDARD PREREQUISITES PLUS THE FOLLOWING: |
Required Course | Semester Hours |
Anatomy & Physiology | 8 |
Organic Chemistry or Biochemistry | 4 |
Genetics | 4 |
Psychology | 3 |
GPA: overall cumulative GPA of a 3.0 and a CASPA science GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale |
|
GRE |
| *Must verify with PA school of choosing as prerequisites vary per school. |
|
*For additional requirements for the Pre-Med and Pre-PA options, please visit our website (http://www.ttuhsc.edu/health-professions/) or contact the Office of Admissions and Student Affairs 806.743.3220 or health.professions@tttuhsc.edu.
- All science courses must be intended for science majors
- Prerequisite courses completed in the last 7 years are preferred
- Required prerequisite courses must be taken at a regionally accredited US or Canadian college or university. Transfer credit from a school outside the US or Canada will not apply to the required prerequisite courses.
- Applicants that have not completed the required prerequisites must submit a plan of completion at the time of application to the SHP Office of Admissions. All prerequisites must be completed by August of the enrollment year.
Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MSHA) Dual Track
The Master of Science in Healthcare Administration (MSHA) track within the medical laboratory science program (MLS) will prepare graduates for entry-level practice and management in the clinical laboratory with a strong foundation in management theories and practices specifically related to leading and managing a clinical laboratory.
Qualifications
A candidate for the MSHA program must meet prerequisite requirements for the standard option within the MLS program and have been accepted into the MLS program. The minimum overall GPA for a candidate to be considered for the MSHA track is an overall 3.0 GPA on a 4.0 GPA scale. The candidate will apply to the MSHA program in the spring semester of their first year enrolled in the MLS program.
Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program Curriculum
The following courses are offered once each year in the semester listed and must be taken in sequence unless granted permission by the course director and Program Director. The course plan is the same for the standard, pre-med, and pre-PA options.
FIRST-YEAR (JUNIORS) |
Fall Semester Courses | Credit Hours |
HPML 3110 Professional Issues in MLS | 1 |
HPML 3400 Clinical Chemistry I | 4 |
HPML 3405 Clinical Bacteriology I | 4 |
HPML 3455 Principles of Immunology | 4 |
| Total Hours = 13 |
Spring Semester Courses | Credit Hours |
HPML 3450 Clinical Chemistry II | 4 |
HPML 3460 Clinical Bacteriology II | 4 |
HPML 3470 Clinical Hematology I | 4 |
HPML 4405 Molecular Diagnostics | 4 |
| Total Hours = 16 |
SECOND-YEAR (SENIORS) |
Summer I Semester Courses | Credit Hours |
HPML 3310 Urinalysis & Body Fluids | 3 |
HPML 4300 Applied Statistics and Research | 3 |
HPML 4420 Laboratory Management | 4 |
HPML 4455 Clinical Parasitology and Mycology | 4 |
| Total Hours = 14 |
Fall Semester Courses | Credit Hours |
HPML 3465 Immunohematology I | 4 |
HPML 4385 Clinical Correlations | 3 |
HPML 4480 Hematology II | 4 |
HPML 4440 Clinical Preceptorship I | 4 |
| Total Hours = 15 |
Spring Semester Courses | Credit Hours |
HPML 4105 Senior Seminar | 1 |
HPML 4741 Clinical Preceptorship II | 7 |
HPML 4842 Clinical Preceptorship III | 8 |
| Total Hours = 16 |
Total Hours Required (Standard Option) | Credit Hours |
Prerequisites | 58 |
Professional Curriculum | 74 |
| Total Hours = 131 |
Total Hours Required (Pre-Med Option) | Credit Hours |
Prerequisites | 69 |
Professional Curriculum | 74 |
| Total Hours = 142 |
Total Hours Required (Pre-PA Option) | Credit Hours |
Prerequisites | 58 |
Professional Curriculum | 74 |
| Total Hours = 131 |
During professional studies, students are required to adhere to all program policies and academic and behavioral guidelines as outlined in the Student Handbook and Clinical Preceptorship Manual.
MLS/MSHA Dual Track Curriculum
Students accepted into the MSHA program will be required to complete 36 semester hours to meet degree requirements. This will include 30 hours of core requirements within the MSHA program and 7 credit hours of requirements within the Medical Laboratory Science program.
MSHA CORE COURSES |
| HPHA 5306 Healthcare Delivery System |
HPHA 5307 Human Resource Management in Healthcare
|
HPHA 5310 Health Law & Ethics
|
HPHA 5311 Healthcare Finance
|
HPHA 5312 Strategic Planning & Marketing in Healthcare
|
HPHA 5313 Healthcare Economics & Policy
|
HPHA 5314 Healthcare Administration Capstone (final course in the program)
|
HPHA 5330 Health Informatics & Data Analytics
|
|
Choose two of the following electives: |
| HPHA 5302 Medical Sociology |
HPHA 5318 Organizational Behavior in Healthcare
|
HPHA 5320 Health Insurance & Reimbursement
|
HPHA 5321 Healthcare Operations & Supply Chain Management
|
| HPHA 5322 Quality, Patient Safety & Risk Management |
| HPHA 5323 Healthcare Business Innovation and Entrepreneurship |
| HPHA 5324 Health Systems Engineering |
| HPHA 5325 Long Term Care Administration |
| HPHA 5326 Healthcare Decision Sciences and Business Analysis |
| HPHA 5327 Comparative Health |
MLS CORE COURSES |
HPML 4420 Laboratory Management
|
|
| HPML 4300 Applied Statistics and Research |
|
Matriculation of the MLS to MSHA program FIRST YEAR and SECOND YEAR are spent completing prerequisites for MLS program, as well as completing Texas Common Core curriculum.
THIRD YEAR (1st year in MLS Program) |
Fall Semester Courses | Credit Hours |
HPML 3400 Clinical Chemistry I | 4 |
HPML 3405 Clinical Bacteriology I | 4 |
HPML 3455 Principles of Immunology | 4 |
HPML 3110 Professional Issues in MLS | 1 |
| Total Hours = 13 |
Spring Semester Courses | Credit Hours |
HPML 4405 Molecular Diagnostics | 4 |
HPML 3450 Clinical Chemistry II | 4 |
HPML 3460 Clinical Bacteriology II | 4 |
HPML 3470 Clinical Hematology I | 4 |
| Total Hours = 16 |
Apply to the TTUHSC MSHA Program.
FOURTH YEAR (2nd year in MLS Program) |
Summer I Semester Courses | Credit Hours |
HPML 3310 Urinalysis & Body Fluids | 3 |
*HPML 4300 Applied Statistics and Research | 3 |
*HPML 4420 Laboratory Management | 4 |
HPML 4455 Clinical Parasitology and Mycology | 4 |
| Total Hours = 14 |
Full Summer Semester Course | Credit Hours |
Take one course in the MSHA program | 3 |
| Total Hours = 3 |
Fall Semester Courses | Credit Hours |
HPML 4385 Clinical Correlations | 3 |
HPML 3465 Immunohematology I | 4 |
HPML 4480 Hematology II | 4 |
HPML 4440 Clinical Preceptorship I | 4 |
| Total Hours = 15 |
Spring Semester Courses | Credit Hours |
HPML 4741 Clinical Preceptorship II | 7 |
HPML 4842 Clinical Preceptorship III | 8 |
HPML 4105 Senior Seminar | 1 |
| Total Hours = 16 |
Complete Requirements for BSMLS.
FIFTH YEAR (MSHA courses) |
Students will complete 30 hours in total in the MSHA program, in the following semesters:
- Summer Semester
- Fall Semester (Fall I 8-week term & Fall 2 8-week term)
- Spring Semester (Spring I 8-week term & Spring 2 8-week term)
TOTAL 30 hours
The Healthcare Administration Capstone course (HPHA 5314) should be taken in the final semester.
COMPLETE REQUIREMENTS FOR MSHA & graduate with MSHA degree
