The Medical Laboratory Science Upward Mobility Program provides an educational experience for the development of responsible, competent entry-level professionals in medical laboratory science who want to further their training and education. The program accepts up to 24 in the on-line upward mobility program. Applicants will be notified of the decision regarding their application in writing. Upon receipt of notification the student will have ten days to notify the MLS Program Director of their intent to accept the position.
Admission into the on-line program is contingent upon the student meeting the following criteria:
- Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale,
- Statement of support from the current employer,
- Documentation of a minimum of 2 years work experience in a clinical laboratory,
- Completion of a one or two year regionally or nationally accredited or certified program in medical laboratory science,
- Successful completion of all SDSU General Education Requirements including the College of Arts and Sciences or an academic plan of completion approved by the MLS program director.
The MLS course, MLS 368 Medical Laboratory Science Technical Training, provides for the transcription of the completion of a laboratory science technical program, work experience and course reduction for laboratory courses and clinical internship reduction for employed laboratory professionals. Work experience in a clinical laboratory (two years minimum, equivalency credits of 10 credits granted provided the regionally or nationally accredited or certified program includes the minimum of credit equivalent to the scientific content equivalent course work as described below.) If the program does not contain the content described, or the student has not taken college level equivalent course work, the student may be required to complete additional scientific pre-requisite courses.
Completion of a one or two year regionally or nationally accredited or certified program in medical laboratory science equivalency credit of 30 credits may be applied towards pre-requisite course work for entry level MLS courses, laboratory courses, chemistry, anatomy and physiology, and reduction in clinical course work.
All upward mobility students that have completed a one or two year regionally or nationally accredited or certified program in laboratory science (consistent with Board of Certification requirements) may be granted an equivalency of 20 credits for the following laboratory and junior level SDSU MLS courses prior to beginning the on line MLS baccalaureate program: MLS201, MLS301/301L, MLS311, MLS341L, MLS402L, MLS403L, MLS411L, MLS412L, MLS441L, MLS431(431L), MLS 451L, MLS 471L The additional equivalency credit (10 credit hours) may be applied within the clinical practicum.
An additional 12 credits may be transcripted for MLT courses within the curriculum that do not meet the equivalency transfer but are recognized as natural science equivalencies to meet Chemistry 106/106L, 108/108L, Biol 221/221L and Biol 325/325L requirements for the MLS program online completion only to meet the maximum of 42 credit transfer into the MLS 398. This provides for the recognition of the completion of a NAACLS accredited MLT program, national certification and practicing professionals knowledge.
In order to receive a bachelors of science (B.S.) degree in MLS – a student must successfully complete at least 120 semester credit hours. In addition, to all of the required courses for the program the student must complete all general education requirements and requirements of the College of Arts and Sciences.
