MLS program

Medical Laboratory Science program at Troy University

MISSION

    The Medical Laboratory Science (formerly called Medical Technology) Concentration at TROY prepares students for careers in Medical Laboratory Science, also known as Clinical Laboratory Science. MLS is a diverse, science-oriented profession aimed at the gathering and analysis of biologic samples from patients to assist physicians in the diagnosis and treatment of diseases.

OVERVIEW OF PROGRAM

1. General requirements in Area I, II, IV:  follow on-line course guideline

2. Prerequisite courses in Area III (for all 3+1 & 4+1 MLS students)  

  BIO 1100 Prin. of Biology 3

  BIO L100 Prin. of Biology Lab 1

*CHM 1142 General Chemistry I 3

  CHM L142 General Chemistry I Lab 1

*MTH 1125 Calculus I 4

*Placement Test Required

3. Required courses for MLS concentrate for both 3+1 & 4+1 MLS students

(To graduate a “C” average is required in each major)

IS 2241 Computer Concepts & Appl. 3

TROY 1101  University Orientation 1

MTH 2210 Applied Statistics 3

CHM 1143 General Chemistry II 3

CHM L143 General Chemistry II Lab 1

CHM 3342 Organic Chemistry I 3

CHM L342 Organic Chemistry I Lab 1

CHM 3343 Organic Chemistry II 3

CHM L343 Organic Chemistry II Lab 1

CHM 3352 Biochemistry 3

CHM L352 Biochemistry Lab 1

BIO 1101 Organismal Biology 3

BIO L101 Organismal Biology Lab 1

BIO 2220 Prin. of Cell Biology 3

BIO L220 Prin. of Cell Biology Lab 1

BIO 2229 General Ecology 3

BIO L229 General Ecology Lab 1

BIO 3320 Genetics 3

BIO L320 Genetics Lab 1

BIO 3347 Human Anatomy & Phy. I 3

BIO L347 Human Anatomy & Phy. I Lab 1

BIO 3348 Human Anatomy & Phy II 3

BIO L348 Human Anatomy & Phy II Lab 1

BIO 3372 Microbiology 3

BIO L372 Microbiology Lab 1

BIO 3382 Immunology 3

BIO L382 Immunology Lab 1

BIO 3386 Hematology  3

BIO L386 Hematology Lab 1

BIO 4484 Senior Seminar in Bio & Env S 1

4. Strongly recommended elective for 3+1 MLS students
    (Parasitology and lab are REQUIRED for 4+1 MLS students)

BIO 4471 Parasitology 3

BIO L471 Parasitology Lab 1

5. Apply to Baptist MLS program after completing all required courses above.

    https://www.baptistfirst.org/education/school-of-medical-laboratory-science

 > If accepted by the Baptist Hospital, you will take ‘internship courses’ at the Baptist Hospital and the course grades will be used toward your degree at Troy University (3+1 program). Your final degree at Troy University will be a Medical Laboratory Science concentrate.

  > If NOT accepted by the Baptist Hospital, take additional courses (listed below) toward your degree at Troy University (4+1 program). Your final degree at Troy University will be General Biology major.

     You can re-apply the Baptist program or other MLS programs after graduation. Go to www.naacls.org/Find-a-Program.aspx?program=MLS, choose ‘Medical Laboratory Scientist’ in PROGRAM TYPE, and search available MLS programs for you. Note that you should contact the Director of programs for additional information (application process, requirements, etc.), since every program has their own criteria.

6. Additional courses required for the 4+1 program.

• Complete either General Physics (PHY 2252, PHY L252, PHY 2253, and PHY L253) or Physics with Calculus (PHY 2262, PHY L262, PHY 2263, and PHY L263)

• Complete Parasitology and lab (BIO 4471 & BIO L471)

• Complete one course with corresponding lab (if provided) from the list below

- Plant Form & Function (BIO 3325 & BIO L325)

- Plant Diversity (BIO 3326 & BIO L326)

- Spring Flora (BIO 4402)

- Field Botany (BIO 4425)

• Complete one course with corresponding lab from the list below

- Limnology (BIO 4413 & BIO L413)

- Microbial Ecology (BIO 4416 & BIO L416)

- Population Ecology (BIO 4421 & BIO L421)

- Environmental Assessment (BIO 4429 & BIO L429)

NATIONAL CERTIFICATION

    There are three basic steps to becoming a nationally certified Medical Laboratory Scientists:

(1) a baccalaureate degree from an accredited university, with specific courses taken;

(2) graduation from an internship at a NAACLS-accredited Medical Technology program; and

(3) successful completion of a national examination for MLS such as the Board of Registry www.ascp.org/.

    The Troy University 3+1 program allows students to accomplish steps 1 and 2 simultaneously, with the internship program at our affiliated MLS school preparing them for the national exam. Most students take the national examination within 2-3 weeks of graduation from the internship. Passing the national examination earns the successful candidate the designation of MLS (ASCP). Students on the 4+1 plan earn their baccalaureate degree first, and then they are able to complete their internship at any NAACLS-accredited Medical Technology program in the country, after which they take their national examination. A search engine for these programs is available on the NAACLS website (http://www.naacls.org/).

CAREER OPPORTUNITIES

     Students who complete the Medical Technology Concentration at Troy University and become nationally certified Medical Laboratory Scientists can look forward to excellent career opportunities. There is currently a high demand for Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists all across the country. MLS graduates typically work in clinical hospital laboratories, privately owned laboratories such as those in physicians' offices and clinics, regional reference laboratories, public health laboratories, in research, and in industry. There are also opportunities for positions as sales or technical representatives with companies that manufacture and distribute laboratory equipment and supplies. Graduates who complete the program also have an excellent background for continuing their education in medical, dental or graduate school, or in other health professions.