Medical Laboratory Sciences
Medical laboratory scientists (MLS) play an important role in the health care system by providing precise performance of laboratory procedures that aid in the prevention, diagnosis and treatment of disease. If you want a medical career with diverse work settings ranging from hospitals and pharmaceutical companies to food, beverage and chemical plants, MLS could be the career for you. And when it comes to getting the quality education needed to make your career happen—there’s no better place than Wichita State.
Career Opportunities
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the job outlook for the medical laboratory scientist (MLS) field shows a steady demand due to an aging population and its increasing need for the diagnosis of diseases and the maintaining of medical equipment.
Medical Laboratory Sciences at Wichita State
WSU’s Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program prepares graduates to become generalists in the field, with the ability to service all departments of a clinical laboratory. The MLS program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS).
This 17-month bachelor's degree program combines 12 months of instruction and a five-month clinical practice at a medical facility. The MLS program offers full and part-time schedules, and medical laboratory technicians holding an associate’s degree may enter the program with advanced standing.
To be admitted to the program, students must be enrolled or admitted to WSU and have an overall GPA of 2.75 and a C or better in all program science prerequisite courses.
Hands On Learning
WSU’s location in Kansas’ health-care hub puts an abundance of hospitals, clinics and laboratories within easy reach of MLS students—giving them more opportunities to get real-world experience, make professional connections and land their dream job.
Scholarships and Financial Aid
In addition to resources available through the WSU Office of Financial Aid, there are also scholarships exclusively for MLS students. To find out more, and how you can apply, visit wichita.edu/chpscholarships and wichita.edu/financialaid.
| MLS PREREQUISITE COURSES | HOURS |
|---|---|
| Biology I | 4 |
| Anatomy/Physiology | 4-6 |
| Microbiology | 4-5 |
| Chemistry I | 5 |
| Chemistry II | 5 |
| Medical Immunology | 3 |
| Biochemistry | 3 |
| MLS PROFESSIONAL CURRICULUM | HOURS |
|---|---|
| Clinical Lab Management | 3 |
| Principles of Urinalysis | 2 |
| Clinical Chemistry | 8 |
| Clinical Hematology | 8 |
| Immunohematology | 8 |
| Applied Immunohematology | 3 |
| Special Topics in Clinical Microbiology | 3 |
| Core Laboratory Practicum | 8 |
| Clinical Microbiology | 8 |
| Applied Clinical Microbiology | 3 |
| MLS PROFESSIONAL CURRICULUM (COMPLETION DEGREE FOR MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIANS) |
HOURS |
|---|---|
| Pathophysiology | 4 |
| Clinical Laboratory Management | 3 |
| Principles of Urinalysis | 2 |
| Advanced Clinical Chemistry | 4 |
| Advanced Clinical Hematology | 4 |
| Advanced Immunohematology | 4 |
| Special Topics in Clinical Microbiology | 3 |
| Advanced Clinical Microbiology | 4 |
| Applied Clinical Practice | 1-6 |
Students must meet all Wichita State University general education and graduation requirements per the university catalog for the baccalaureate degree.