Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science
About the Program
Tarleton State University, a member of the Texas A&M University System, offers the professional year of medical laboratory science training through its Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health, & Nutrition Science in Fort Worth, Texas.
The Professional year of the 3 + 1-year university-based program begins at the Richard C. Schaffer Educational Building in Fort Worth. This ten-month intensive study in lecture courses and basic laboratory techniques includes Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology, Urinalysis, Immunohematology, Medical Microbiology, Parasitology, Molecular Pathology, and Laboratory Management. These courses are reinforced with clinical practice during the next five months at the affiliated hospital labs. The professional program consists of a total of 54 credit hours of coursework (48 undergraduate, 6 graduate).
Read more about the B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science
Employment
The Department actively collects information regarding potential jobs and makes this information available to all students. Services of the University Placement Offices are also available. Graduates of the program are employed through the North Central Texas area as well as the state and the nation.
American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists will find employment in a variety of fields including but not limited to hospital and reference labs, veterinary labs, instrument sales and service, research and forensic labs.
Forms and Applications
- BS – MLS Application
- BS – MLS Reference Form
- BS – MLS Application Fee Payment
- Application Deadlines:
- January (Spring) Entry: September 1st
- August (Fall) Entry:
- Priority Deadline: December 1st
- Regular Deadline: March 15th
Admissions
What to expect:
- Students seeking to complete their fourth year of undergraduate study or those who have completed a baccalaureate degree program are eligible to apply to the Program if they meet the standards established by the University (in conjunction with those set forth by NAACLS).
- Students are admitted on a competitive basis through evaluation based on academic performance and letters of reference.
- Two cohorts are accepted per year (in the spring and fall).
What is needed:
- The Tarleton MLS program has a minimum requirement of 73 semester hours applicable toward a baccalaureate degree (including general education requirements) that must be completed prior to admission with 16 semester hours in Biology (including Microbiology, Immunology, and Animal Physiology); 16 hours in Chemistry (including Organic and Biochemistry); and 3 hours of college-level mathematics. BS MLS Prerequisite List
- Candidates with degrees must meet the minimum requirements of 16 semester hours in Biology (including Microbiology, Immunology, and Animal Physiology); 16 hours in Chemistry (including Organic and Biochemistry); and 3 hours of college-level mathematics. All science prerequisite courses older than seven years of age must be repeated to receive credit. MLS Prerequisite List for Post-Baccalaureate Students
- Minimum overall GPA requirement must be a 2.8 or higher
- Official transcripts from all colleges and universities must be submitted by the application deadline
Click here for a useful admissions checklist!
Application Deadlines:
- Spring: Due by September 1st
- Fall: Priority Deadline – December 1st; Regular Deadline – March 15th
Tuition and Scholarships
Tuition and fees are charged in accordance with the fee structure for the University. A tuition estimator is available to estimate costs associated with attendance. Additional expenses incurred include those for room and board, books, health and liability insurance, course manuals and immunizations. As an enrolled student of the University, the MLS student is eligible for scholarships and loans through the Financial Aid office of the University. Additionally, some local scholarships are available for Medical Laboratory Science students.
Outcomes for our NAACLS Program
Effective July 1st, 2020, we are required to notify you about licensing/certification requirements in other states. The TSU MLS curricula prepare students to sit for the ASCP Board of Certification exam, for details on the ASCP BOC and licensure requirements in other states (Texas does not have licensure requirements), please see other state requirements.
Medical Laboratory Science
| Year | Certification Pass Rate | Employment/Further Education Rates | Graduation Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2018-2019 | 100% (43/43) | 100% (43/43) | 96% (43/45) |
| 2019-2020 | 100% (52/52) | 100% (52/52) | 98% (52/54) |
| 2020-2021 | 95% (52/55) | 100% (52/52) | 98% (55/56) |
| 2021-2022 | 94% (56/60) | 100% (55/55) | 98% (61/62) |
| 2022-2023 (Data still being collected) | 93% (50/54) | 100% (45/45) | 97% (61/63) |
*The Graduation Rate for the MLS program is calculated by comparing the number of students beginning the advanced portion of instruction to the number of students graduating for that year.
Accreditation
The program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, Phone Number: 773.714.8880. Students are encouraged to develop professional growth by participating as student members in professional societies such as ASCLS and ASCP.
Faculty members of the Department are Certified Medical Laboratory Scientists with Advanced degrees and/or specialty certification and varied clinical experiences offering a rich academic presentation. Additionally, the staff is assisted by pathologists and Medical Laboratory Scientists from the affiliated clinical laboratories.
Degree Requirements
Undergraduate students may elect to receive their BS degree from Tarleton or from an affiliate institution. Requirements for receiving the BS from Tarleton are listed in the most current catalog and are summarized here.
*An additional six credit hours of graduate courses will be required for the MLS Certificate.
Note: The academic foundation of this degree plan may vary among the various colleges/universities. If you plan to obtain your degree from another institution visit the advisor at that institution.
Partners
Located in the central hospital district of Fort Worth, at 1501 Enderly Place, the Department has the support of numerous DFW medical institutions.
Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Sites
- Baylor All Saint’s Medical Center
- Baylor Medical Center at Irving
- Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Fort Worth
- Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist HEB
- Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Southwest
- Texas Health Resources Arlington Memorial Hospital
- Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Cleburne
- Huguley Memorial Hospital
- Carter BloodCare
- John Peter Smith Hospital (TCHD)
- HCA Plaza Medical Center
- HCA Medical Center of Plano
- HCA North Hills
- HCA Medical Center of Arlington
- HCA Denton Regional Medical Center
- Cook Children’s Medical Center
- Methodist Mansfield Medical Center
- Weatherford Regional Medical Center
- And many more!
Enrichment site rotations are offered by invitation to capable Medical Laboratory Science students who wish to pursue a selected problem of study. Enrichment sites used to date include Cook Children’s Medical Center, UNT Health Science Center DNA and Forensic Laboratories and the Texas A&M Veterinary Teaching Hospital.
Contact
Myoung gwi Ryou Ph.D., M.S., MLS(ASCPi)CM
MLSPHNS Department Head
Associate Professor & MLS Program Director
Medical Laboratory Science Program
1501 Enderly Pl. Ft. Worth, TX 76104
[email protected]
Phone: (817) 926-1101
10850 Texan Rider Drive,
Crowley, TX 76036
Phone: (817) 926-1101
