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. Applicants to the Medical Laboratory Science program, must be eligible for admission to the College, as well as, have earned a minimum of 2.0 average in high school biology, chemistry, and algebra. A score of 1050 or higher on the SAT, with a minimum of 450 on each section of the critical reading and math components. Transfer students are accepted for admission to the Program.
The student must earn a minimum of a 2.0 in each of the required supporting courses with an average of a 2.5 cumulative grade point average. A GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended for application to clinical rotation. 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 124 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.
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