Overview
The prerequisites listed on this page are for the Extended Internship Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program only. For the Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Degree Advancement Program’s prerequisite requirements, please see the admissions requirements for that program.
The Extended Internship Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program has the following requirements for consideration for admission to the program:
- Meets all admission requirements general to the UAMS College of Health Professions
- A cumulative undergraduate GPA of at least 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- A cumulative undergraduate science and mathematics GPA of at least 2.5 on a 4.0 scale
- Successful completion of specific coursework
- Meets specific technical standards
International Students
The Extended Internship Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program is unable to accept applications from international students with F-1 visas at this time.
Admission Factors
Criteria
Admission to the Extended Internship Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program is competitive and based on the following criteria:
- Academic achievement
- Academic aptitude
- Leadership and professionalism
- Written and oral communication
Competitive Attributes
A competitive applicant will possess the following attributes:
- Strong desire to succeed as a medical laboratory scientist
- A commitment to professionalism
- Integrity in all situations
- A belief in service before self
- A strong desire for excellence in everything they do
Special Considerations
During admission reviews, first consideration may be given to Arkansas residents. Highly qualified applicants from out-of-state are strongly encouraged to apply and may successfully compete for admission. The program is committed to admitting and graduating qualified candidates from diverse groups.
Non-Discrimination Policy
Applicants are considered without regard to race, color, gender, age, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or disability status as a criterion in deciding against any individual in matters of admission, placement, transfer, hiring, dismissal, compensation, fringe benefits, training, tuition assistance and other personnel or educationally-related actions.
Required Coursework
The following 65 credits are required for admission to the Extended Internship Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program.
All listed courses are required from an institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institution and must fulfill all college requirements regarding acceptance of transfer credit.
Fulfillment of the prerequisite courses for the Extended Internship Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program does not guarantee admission.
A final grade of C or better is required in each of the prerequisite courses.
Students are eligible for the Extended Internship Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program after completing 59 of the 65 hours of prerequisite credits by the application deadline. All outstanding prerequisite coursework must be completed prior to the start of the program.
Actual course titles may vary among institutions. If in doubt about the suitability of the following prerequisite courses, please contact the program director or the College of Health Professions Admissions Office.
General Education Coursework Requirements
| Typical Course Title | Area | Required Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Two-semester Sequence of English Composition | English and Communication | 6 |
| Fundamentals of Speech or Speech Communication1 | English and Communication | 3 |
| College Algebra (or Higher-level Mathematics) | Mathematics | 3 |
| Fine Arts2 (Art, Music or Theatre) | Fine Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| Humanities3 (Philosophy, Political Science, Literature, History, Religion4, World Civilization or Humanities) | Fine Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| History of the United States or National Government5 | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Social Sciences (Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, Economics, Political Science, World Civilization, or History) | Social Sciences | 6 |
| Total General Education Hours | 27 |
Program-Specific Coursework Requirements
| Typical Course Title | Area | Required Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Trigonometry, Statistics or Calculus (or Higher-level Mathematics) | Science | 3 |
| Biology with Lab6 | Science | 4 |
| Anatomy and Physiology with Lab6 | Science | 4 |
| Microbiology with Lab6 | Science | 4 |
| Two-semester Sequence of General Chemistry with Labs6 | Science | 8 |
| Science Electives6 | Science | 8 |
| Electives | General | 7 |
| Total Program-Specific Hours | 38 |
Summary of Coursework Requirements
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education Prerequisites | 27 |
| Program-Specific Prerequisites | 38 |
| Total Prerequisite Hours | 65 |
Credit By Examination
The Extended Internship Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program will not accept Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, or College Level Examination Program credits to fulfill the required science coursework.
The program will accept AP, IB or CLEP credits awarded by other institutionally accredited post-secondary academic institutions to fulfill the math and general education coursework. To be considered for credit transfer, the official transcript from the awarding institution must reflect the AP, IB or CLEP credits.
Refer to the UAMS College of Health Professions Future Students website for details about credit by examination.
Notes
1 An additional humanities or fine arts course may be substituted for Speech Communication.
2 The fine arts requirement cannot be fulfilled with a studio course. An additional humanities course can be substituted for the fine arts requirement.
3 An additional fine arts course can be substituted for the humanities requirement.
4 Not all religion courses are considered humanities courses. Courses that focus on ministry or professional religious training are not acceptable transfer courses to satisfy the humanities requirement. Examples include pastoral counseling, church administration, youth ministry, and evangelism. Religion courses that focus on history, philosophy, language, literature, ethics, interpretation, or culture are acceptable humanities transfer courses. Examples include world religions, philosophy of religion, religious ethics, religion and culture, and the history of Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and other religions. Old and New Testament courses may be considered if the course analyzes scripture in a historical or literary context. Courses that focus on applying biblical teachings to Christian ministry or devotional practice are not acceptable. We strongly suggest applicants contact the program director or the College of Health Professions Admissions Office at CHPAdmissions@UAMS.edu prior to enrolling in the course.
5 The course in national government, if selected to meet the U.S. history / national government requirement, cannot also be used to meet the humanities requirement in political science.
6 As medical laboratory science is a laboratory-based profession, these courses are expected to include a corresponding laboratory component. Non-laboratory biology courses are considered under limited circumstances and at the discretion of the program director. Courses without a laboratory are eligible for review provided the courses demonstrate appropriate biological content relevant to laboratory-based study. The following courses (including laboratories) are considered equivalent to biology with laboratory, anatomy and physiology with laboratory, or microbiology with laboratory: animal or human anatomy, animal or human physiology, biochemistry, cell biology, cell physiology, ecology, botany, physics, genetics, genomics, immunology, molecular biology, mycology, neuroscience, organic chemistry, parasitology, pathology, pathophysiology, pathogenesis, quantitative analysis, toxicology, virology or zoology. Other courses may fulfill the program’s requirements. Contact the department for course approval.
Technical Standards
In order to be admitted to the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Program, applicants must possess certain physical, cognitive and behavioral abilities necessary to complete the curriculum. These requirements exist to ensure that students are able to effectively acquire the knowledge and skills needed to become competent and successful laboratory scientists. Please visit the Technical Standards page for details.
Hepatitis B Vaccine Series
Students starting this program are strongly encouraged to complete the hepatitis B vaccine series. Contact the department for further information.