The Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. is a 120-credit hour degree program with two distinct academic phases: the Pre-Professional Phase and the Professional Phase. The Pre-Professional Phase is the first two years of the four-year degree. During the Pre-Professional Phase, students complete UIS general education requirements and MLS prerequisites – MLS prerequisite requirements can be viewed in the UIS catalog. After or near completion of the Pre-Professional Phase, students apply to the MLS Program via a secondary admissions process to be considered for admission to the Professional Phase.
The Professional Phase is the final two years of the four-year degree and represents the NAACLS-accredited MLS Program. During the Professional Phase, students complete the MLS core courses and complete clinical learning experiences. Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. programs are eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) examination via route 1.
Students interested in the Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. program should consult with the MLS Academic Advisor and/or MLS Faculty Advisor for Pre-Professional Phase students as soon as possible to ensure they are on track to complete all requirements prior to the start of the Professional Phase. Contact information for MLS Advisors is available on the MLS Contact Us page.
Recommended Pre-Professional Phase Course Sequence
Fall Semester - Year 1
- BIO 141: General Biology I (4 hours)
- CHE 141: General Chemistry I (4 hours)
- ENG 101: Composition I (3 hours)
- Humanities: Freshman Seminar (3 hours)
Spring Semester - Year 1
- BIO 142: General Biology II or BIO 231 and 232: Applied Microbiology with lab (4 hours)
- CHE 142: General Chemistry II (4 hours)
- ENG 102: Composition II (3 hours)
- Humanities: Comparative Societies (3 hours)
Fall Semester - Year 2
- CHE 267 and 268: Organic Chemistry I with lab or CHE 475 and 476: General Biochemistry with lab (4 hours)
- BIO 201: Basics of Anatomy and Physiology I (4 hours)
- Humanities: Visual/Creative/Performing Arts (3 hours)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences (3 hours)
Spring Semester - Year 2
- MAT 121: Applied Statistics (3 hours)
- BIO 202: Basics of Anatomy and Physiology II (4 hours)
- COM 112: Oral Communications (3 hours)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences (3 hours)
- Behavioral and Social Sciences (3 hours)
Typical Professional Phase Course Sequence
Fall Semester – Year 3
- MLS 415: Foundations in Medical Laboratory Science (2 hours)
- MLS 425: Laboratory Operations (2 hours)
- MLS 432: Hematology I (3 hours)
- MLS 433: Medical Microbiology I (4 hours)
- MLS 448: Introduction to Immunology (3 hours)
- MLS 449: Introductory Immunology Lab (1 hour)
Spring Semester – Year 3
- MLS 434: Clinical Chemistry I (4 hours)
- MLS 442: Hematology II (4 hours)
- MLS 443: Medical Microbiology II (3 hours)
- MLS 468: Immunohematology (4 hours)
Summer Semester – Year 3
- MLS 444: Clinical Chemistry II (3 hours)
- MLS 475: Advanced Analysis in Laboratory Medicine (2 hours)
- U.S. Communities or Global Awareness ECCE (3 hours)
Fall Semester – Year 4
- UNI 301: ECCE - Speaker Series (1 hour)
- MLS 477: Molecular Diagnostics (2 hours)
- MLS 487: ECCE - Practicum I (6 hours)
- MLS 497: Senior Seminar I (3 hours)
Spring Semester – Year 4
- MLS 488: ECCE - Practicum II (6 hours)
- MLS 496: Special Topics Practicum (3 hours)
- MLS 498: Senior Seminar II (3 hours)
Learning Outcomes
- Perform laboratory tests accurately and efficiently, maintain and troubleshoot commonly used methods and automated instruments.
- Demonstrate entry level competency necessary to perform the full range of clinical laboratory tests in Clinical Chemistry, Hematology/Hemostasis, Immunology, Immunohematology, Microbiology, Urine and Body Fluid Analysis, Laboratory Operations and other emerging diagnostic areas.
- Evaluate laboratory test results for correlation with clinical conditions, suggest additional testing and resolve pre-analytical, analytical and post-analytical problems.
- Demonstrate competency in the principles and practices of clinical study design, implementation and dissemination of results in order to apply evidence-based research into clinical practice.
- Apply ethical, safety and governmental regulations and standards to the practice of medical laboratory science.
- Communicate effectively and respectfully in order to serve the needs of patients, the public and members of the health care team from diverse backgrounds and cultures.
- Demonstrate administrative skills consistent with principles and practices of administration and supervision as applied to medical laboratory science, including quality management.
- Exhibit principles and practices of professional conduct and demonstrate readiness to engage in life-long learning through continuing professional development, scholarship, service and participation in professional organizations.
- Demonstrate educational methodologies and terminology sufficient to train/educate users and providers of laboratory services.
- Discuss research as a process of inquiry and critical thinking; identify and evaluate suitable sources; conduct searches strategically; use and communicate information appropriately; and recognize that information has value.
Accreditation
Calendar
Don't miss an important date or deadline
Designed for working professionals, UIS programs feature multiple start dates per year, so you can begin at the time that best fits your schedule and complete your degree quickly. View the Academic Calendar
Tuition & Aid
UIS is the most affordable option to earning your University of Illinois degree. Earn a world-class education for less than you’d expect.
Value of a UIS Degree
UIS is No. 5 for students graduating with the least amount of debt, Midwest Region (2021).
Top 25 best value school, Midwest Region, and the only public university in Illinois on the list (2022, 2023, 2024).
98% of students receive aid
The average graduate from UIS will see an increase in earnings of $31,700 - $69,000 each year compared to someone with a high school diploma working in Illinois.
Admissions
Applying to UIS is simple
We've streamlined our admission process to save you time and effort. Just follow the steps below.
Review admission requirements
No specific admission requirements are listed at this time. Please contact the Office of Admission for more information.
International students, will you need an F-1 student visa to study on campus at UIS? Please review the International Applicants site for additional information.
Complete your application
An email address is required to create an account. To submit a paper application, visit the Resources & Forms page. Find more information about what type of student you are on the Student Types page. Applying for an online program is the same procedure as applying for an on-campus program.
Send your official transcripts
Email your official or certified academic records/transcripts to incomingtranscripts@uis.edu or through any of the major transcript platforms. Photocopies will not be accepted.
Submit required statements/writing sample
If you are a first-year student, a statement of 250-650 words is required for admission. We want to hear about your professional aspirations, intellectual interests, and personal experiences relevant to your choice of a specific academic program. You can upload the required documents on you're application status page.
Pay your application fee
You can submit your non-refundable application fee online, after completing the online application. Alternately, it can also be mailed to the university, payable to University of Illinois Springfield.
Domestic students: Undergraduate - $50, Graduate - $60;
International students: Undergraduate - $60, Graduate - $75.
Courses & Catalog Information
At the University of Illinois Springfield, you'll find a wide range of courses tailored to your interests and career goals. Explore your program details and get all the essential information you need to plan your future.
Career Opportunities
Exploring the following career paths can help you see how your degree opens up a wide range of exciting and rewarding opportunities in various fields.
- Auditory Scientist
- Autopsy Technician
- Biomedical Equipment Technician
- Clinical Affairs Manager
- Clinical Quality Advisor
- Clinical Science Manager
- Clinical Study Manager
- Clinical Training Manager
- Clinical Trial Coordinator
- College Professor
- Cytotechnologist Staff
- Histotechnologist Technician
- Lab Assistant
- Medical Director
- Medical Technologist
- Nuclear Medicine Technologist
- Phlebotomist
- Radio-chemist
- Research Monitoring Specialist
- Research Nurse
- Respiratory Therapy Technician
- RN Clinical Research Coordinator
- Safety Associate
- Specimen Processor
