Medical Laboratory Science (B.S.) - Upward Mobility Program

Program Coordinator/Contact

Stacie Lansink, Interim Program Director
College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions
Avera Health and Science Center
605-688-5855

Program Information

The Upward Mobility Program provides an opportunity for Medical Laboratory Technicians to complete a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory sciences within their own clinical employment setting, utilizing a variety of online instructional approaches.

Program Goals

• Provide an educational program within the framework of the University setting in accordance with the Standards of Accredited Programs for the Medical Laboratory Scientist as established by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).
• Provide adequate numbers of entry-level medical laboratory scientists to meet the workforce needs of the state of South Dakota and surrounding areas.
• Provide the health care community with quality individuals who are competent to conduct laboratory procedures in large medical facilities and small rural laboratories and who demonstrate positive professional attitudes, ethics and practices.

Enabling Objectives

• Provide a curriculum that includes a general or liberal education, content specific theory and applications, technical knowledge, professionalism and clinical competence to successfully complete a national certification exam.
• Assist students in career placement by providing academic and occupational advisement.
• Instill in students a sense of professionalism, commitment to lifelong learning and academic excellence.
• Prepare students to successfully enter the health care field as competent entry-level professionals that communicate well, appreciate social diversity and possess a genuine compassion and concern for others.

Medical Laboratory Science Upward Mobility Program

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.

MLS Upward Mobility Admission Requirements

All pre-MLS Upward Mobility students must submit an application and all required documents to the professional program by mail. (Applications by fax or email will not be accepted.) Selection is competitive. In order to be considered for admission a student must submit and complete the following:

• Documentation of a minimum of 2 years of work experience in a clinical laboratory.
• Completion of a one or two year regionally or nationally accredited or certified program in medical laboratory science, as evidenced by official transcript.
• Provision of a signed letter of support from employer, clinical facility fact sheet, and faculty fact sheet for clinical preceptor/liaison.
• Confirmation of ability to meet the non-academic Essential Functions of the program

Up to 43 MLS credits may be awarded for work completed in an approved program, as previously outlined.

MLS Progression and Probation Regulations

The Medical Laboratory Science program probation standards are:

• Medical Laboratory Science GPA Calculation
  • Medical Laboratory Science GPA is calculated using all medical laboratory science MLS prefix courses. 
  • MLS courses repeated at SDSU, only the repeated grade will be used to calculate the GPA.
• Graduation
  • A student must earn a minimum 2.0 grade point average within the medical laboratory science program to qualify for graduation with a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science.
• Progression
  • To progress to the MLS2 year a student cannot have more than 5 credits of “D” in MLS prefix courses.
  • If a student receives an “F” in a MLS prefix course, the student would not be able to progress on to the next semester and would be removed from the program.  The student would then have to follow the academic appeals process laid out in the MLS Student Handbook if the student would like to be readmitted to the program.
  • If a Medical Laboratory Science student fails to pass their Clinical Practice Courses (i.e., MLS 46X and MLS 48X) the student may repeat the MLS clinical practice the following year according to availability and acceptance by a clinical affiliate. SDSU cannot guarantee that events beyond its control such as natural disasters, rejection of student by clinical affiliates, labor disputes, war, etc. might not prevent a student’s completion of the clinical practice experience. Clinical completion is NOT guaranteed and is subject to availability and employer support. 

Accreditation, Certification, and Licensure

Accreditation

The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119.

Certification

Graduates will be eligible to take the certification examination as a medical laboratory scientist from the Board of Certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

Licensure

Licensure requirements will vary by state.

Course Delivery Format

MLS courses are delivered through lecture, discussion, laboratory electronic simulation, and clinical practice experiences. Course materials are provided electronically utilizing the Desire2Learn course management system. Clinical Practice courses are completed at a clinical affiliate site.