Mar 28, 2024  
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2018-2019 Undergraduate Catalog [ARCHIVED CATALOG]

Medical Laboratory Science, B.S.


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The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) major provides students with the necessary science and medical background to earn certification as a beginning professional in the medical laboratory setting. A Medical Laboratory Scientist performs tests under the direction of pathologists, physicians, and scientists in the areas of clinical chemistry, microbiology, hematology, and other clinically related fields. MLS students complete three years of study on the College campus followed by an 11-12 month clinical experience at a hospital-based education program accredited by NAACLS, the National Accrediting Agency for Medical Laboratory Science.

Acceptance into hospital MLS programs is based on a competitive application process. After 200-level science courses and most College requirements are completed, students initiate the process by applying to MLS-NAACLS accredited hospital programs. Acceptance is dependent on several factors such as:

  • Student science GPA and overall GPA (GPA higher than 3.0 strongly recommended)
  • Personal essay
  • Letters of recommendation
  • Interview
  • College affiliation

The MLS Program Coordinator, Academic Advisor, Financial Aid Officer, Registrar, faculty and all College services assist the students throughout the application process. While strong applicants are normally accepted into hospital MLS programs, the College cannot guarantee acceptance.

When attending the hospital MLS program, students maintain full time enrollment status with York College. Tuition costs are paid directly to the hospital by the student. Students pay only fees to the college and will continue to have access to all College facilities and offices

Although students may apply to any NAACLS accredited program, York College maintains affiliate status with hospital MLS programs at the following sites:

  • Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences - Lancaster, PA
  • Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences - Reading, PA
  • Sentara RMH Medical Center - Harrisonburg, VA
  • UMPC Chautauqua WCA Hospital - Jamestown, NY
  • Wellspan York Hospital - York, PA

Additional programs can be found through the National Accrediting Agency for Medical Lab Science (NAACLS).

Requirements for Graduation:

To be eligible for graduation, students majoring in Medical Laboratory Science must complete a minimum of 123 credits, achieve a cumulative grade point average of 2.0, satisfy the College’s residency requirements, and complete the General Education Requirements of the College. A minimum grade of 2.0 is required for First Year Seminar and all courses taken as part of Foundations. Courses used to complete General Education Requirements may not be taken on a pass/fail basis.

The General Education Requirements of the college require students to successfully complete a First Year Seminar, Foundations, Disciplinary Perspectives, and a Constellation. Students who enter the college with 30 credit hours completed will not take a First Year Seminar course and therefore must take an additional 3 credits for graduation. Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation.

In addition, students majoring in Medical Laboratory Science must apply to a hospital medical laboratory science or medical technology school (NAACLS accreditation required) in the summer before the junior year, for admission to the senior clinical year program. A minimum 2.5 grade point average is required for eligibility; however, students are encouraged to maintain a 3.0 grade point average in order to be competitive for admission to the senior year programs. All General Education Requirements and all required courses for the major (except MLS401-6) must be completed before the student enters the clinical year.

General Education Requirement


First Year Seminar


Foundations Requirement


Disciplinary Perspectives Requirement


Constellation Requirement


The Constellation requirement is met when a student completes four courses from a minimum of three disciplines within the Constellation requirements.  Transfer students that are awarded 60 or more credits upon acceptance to York College will not be required to complete a Constellation except for Education majors.

Elective courses (6 credits)


Students may choose any 6 credits of elective courses. Suggested electives include Statistics (MAT250), Medical Terminology (BIO201), Pathophysiology (BIO203), Biochemistry II (BIO352), and Virology (BIO364).

Suggested Course Sequence:


Freshman Year


Fall Semester (17 credits)


Spring Semester (15 credits)


Sophomore Year


Fall Semester (15 credits)


Spring Semester (15 credits)


Junior Year


Should a student elect to not continue in the MLS major, or not be admitted into a hospital program, the student can change majors to qualify for graduation, or the student can wait and apply again for a clinical site the following year.

Fall Semester (15 credits)


Spring Semester (14 credits)


Senior Year (32 credits)


Clinical year of study in an NAACLS-approved hospital program. Credits for individual courses may vary with program. Courses include:

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