Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (B.S.M.L.S.) Major in Medical Laboratory Science

Minimum required: 120 semester credit hours

Admission Requirements

1. The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (B.S.M.L.S.) degree with a major in Medical Laboratory Science requires admission to the university and admission to the program.  For more information visit: http://www.health.txstate.edu/cls/degrees-programs/undergraduate.html
2. University application deadlines are different than the Medical Laboratory Science (M.L.S.) program deadline. Any student entering Texas State may declare the bachelor of science with a major in health sciences and a Pre-Medical Laboratory Science concentration as their major. It is recommended that students arrange academic advising at least once prior to making application, and, if possible, arrange to learn about the profession through clinical laboratory tours, personal research, and interviewing a practicing M.L.S. professional. Admission and acceptance to Texas State and declaration of a pre-M.L.S. concentration does not guarantee admission to the B.S.M.L.S. program. Admission to the program is competitive and selective. The academic sequence begins during the fall semester of the junior year. Students are selected in the spring semester of their sophomore year. Enrollment is limited by student/faculty ratios and clinical placement availability.
3. The deadline for submission of applications to the M.L.S. program is February 15th. A typical cohort size of 20 students will be admitted. Applicants will be notified of their status by April 30th or sooner. The criteria for student selection for the junior class includes scholastic ability, particularly in the sciences, essays, and a personal interview, and not on the basis of gender, race, color, religion, veteran status or condition of disability, or national origin. Due to performance standards of the profession, students must meet specific ADA standards in accordance with physical and emotional requirements of the academic program to qualify for admission.
4. Potential applicants are encouraged to complete the University process early (six to eight weeks prior to the M.L.S. application deadline of February 15th) to facilitate review of transcripts during the M.L.S. program application process.
5. A minimum overall GPA and science and mathematics GPA of 2.50; however, an overall GPA and a science and mathematics GPA of 3.0 is recommended in order to be competitive in the application process. Applicants must be in good academic standing to apply to the M.L.S. Program. Students on academic probation or suspension will not be considered. The science and mathematics GPA is calculated based on grades in the following nine courses which must be completed prior to submitting the M.L.S. application:

   Course List

   Code	Title	Hours
   BIO 1330	Functional Biology	3
   BIO 1130	Functional Biology Laboratory	1
   BIO 1331	Organismal Biology	3
   BIO 1131	Organismal Biology Laboratory	1
   CHEM 1341	General Chemistry I	3
   CHEM 1141	General Chemistry Laboratory I	1
   CHEM 1342	General Chemistry II	3
   CHEM 1142	General Chemistry Laboratory II	1
   MATH 1315	College Algebra	3
   or MATH 1319	Mathematics for Business and Economics I
   or MATH 1329	Mathematics for Business and Economics II
   or MATH 2321	Calculus for Life Sciences I
   or MATH 2417	Pre-Calculus Mathematics
   or MATH 2471	Calculus I

6. Science and mathematics courses require a minimum grade of “C” or higher.
7. Students may have a maximum of nine hours of core and prerequisite coursework remaining prior to beginning the M.L.S. program.
8. Completion of the M.L.S. application packet for admission is required by the deadline (February 15th).
9. Successful interview of selected candidate with admission committee is also required.
10. Health records and a background check are necessary before being allowed to start the program. Specific immunizations and drug testing are necessary before clinical placements.

General Requirements

1. The general education core curriculum courses are listed in the degree plan below along with the statewide component code number. See the General Education Core Curriculum section of this catalog for the Texas State requirements and options in the core curriculum, including Honors courses.

2. Students must complete a minimum of 36 advanced hours (3000 or 4000 level courses).
3. Nine hours of writing intensive (WI) courses are required for graduation.
4. Any student who did not complete at least two years of the same foreign language in high school is required to take 6-8 hours of the same foreign language.
5. To graduate with a B.S.M.L.S., students must successfully complete all MLS courses in a lock-step sequence with a “C” or higher. Each MLS course is offered only once each academic year; therefore, progress in the program is affected should a student fall out of the sequence due to failure to successfully complete a course. A student who falls out of sequence (whether due to illness, course failure, or other reasons) will be delayed one year to repeat the course. Students with a grade of less than a “C” in a MLS course will be stepped out of the program and individuals must reapply to the program the following year. To be considered for program readmission, all original program admission criteria and an approved schedule for retaking courses must be met. In addition, a student may repeat a MLS course only once. If the student does not earn a grade of at least “C” upon repeating the course, the student cannot continue in the program.
6. All non-MLS courses must be completed prior to the senior year, 2nd semester (spring), due to students beginning off-campus clinical rotations.
7. Requirements for B.S.M.L.S. completion and graduation include a Texas State GPA of 2.0 with a MLS major GPA of 2.25.
8. During the second semester (spring) and final semester (summer) of the senior year, students are required to successfully complete five clinical laboratory rotations/experiences in MLS Clinical Practice courses. These courses require that the students spend clinical time in other facilities, primarily hospitals and reference laboratories, away from campus. Students must furnish their own transportation, and if necessary, housing. Because of the time and distances involved, typically no courses other than those listed in the MLS Program can be taken in the final two semesters of the senior year.

Course Requirements 

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If US 1100 is waived, the student must have a minimum of 120 hours to graduate. See the College Advising Center.