Overview
The prerequisites listed on this page are for the Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree Advancement Program only. For the On-Campus Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program’s prerequisite requirements, please see the admissions requirements for that program.
The Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree Advancement 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 2.0 on a 4.0 scale
- Successful completion of specific coursework
- Working as a medical laboratory technician while enrolled in the program
- Submission of certification exam scores (if available)
- Meets specific technical standards
The Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree Advancement Program is unable to accept applications from international students with F-1 visas at this time.
Admission Factors
Criteria
Admission to the Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree Advancement Program is based on the following criteria:
- Successful completion of a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences medical laboratory technician program
- Leadership and professionalism
- Academic achievement
- National MLT certification or waiver from the program director
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
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 75 credits are required for admission to the Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree Advancement 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 Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree Advancement Program does not guarantee admission.
A final grade of C or better is required in each of the prerequisite courses.
Applicants must complete all 28 credit hours of science courses and have no more than 15 credit hours of other prerequisite coursework remaining by the application deadline to be eligible for admission. All outstanding courses must be completed before the final semester, ideally two semesters before anticipated graduation. Students with outstanding prerequisites are eligible only for the four- or five-semester tracks.
Actual course titles may vary among institutions. If in doubt about the suitability of the following prerequisite courses, please contact 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, Statistics, or Higher-level Mathematics | Mathematics | 3 |
| Fine Arts (Art, Music or Theatre) | Fine Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| Humanities (History, Humanities, Literature, Philosophy or Political Science) | Fine Arts and Humanities | 3 |
| History of the United States or National Government | Social Sciences | 3 |
| Social Sciences (Anthropology, Economics, Geography, History, Political Science, Psychology or Sociology) | Social Sciences | 6 |
| Total General Education Hours | 27 |
Program-Specific Coursework Requirements
| Typical Course Title | Area | Required Semester Credit Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biological, Health Science, Chemistry or MLT Courses | Science | 28 |
| Electives | General | 20 |
| Total Program-Specific Hours | 48 |
Summary of Coursework Requirements
| Courses | Hours |
|---|---|
| General Education Prequisites | 27 |
| Program-Specific Prerequisites | 48 |
| Total Prerequisite Hours | 75 |
Credit By Examination
The Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree Advancement 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
Science requirements must meet the current American Society for Clinical Pathology medical laboratory technician eligibility criteria.
Students who have graduated from a medical laboratory technician program that is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences and hold a certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology as a medical laboratory technician, but have not met the required number of science course hours, may request to replace these science credits with additional general elective courses.
1 An additional fine arts / humanities course may be substituted for Speech Communication.
Working Requirement
Students enrolled in the Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree Advancement Program must be employed as medical laboratory technicians. This employment is essential for obtaining the necessary clinical education in the online format.
To learn more about this requirement, please contact the program.
Certification Exam Scores
Applicants to the Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree Advancement Program must provide proof of their current certification to include their score on the Medical Laboratory Technician examination administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. If the exam score is not available from ASCP, the program director or assistant program director can waive this requirement.
Technical Standards
Applicants to the Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Degree Advancement Program 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 sonographers. Please visit the Technical Standards page for details.