The University of Illinois Springfield will offer four new medical laboratory science (MLS) certificates starting in August to address the critical shortage of certified laboratory specialists in central Illinois. Certificates will be offered in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology and medical microbiology.

Designed as a bridge program, these certificates target individuals holding bachelor’s degrees in non-MLS areas who wish to become lab specialists certified with the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Prospective students must have a bachelor’s degree with a combination of 30 semester hours in biology and chemistry and one semester of statistics to be eligible to pursue a certificate.

“The new certificates are a direct response to local laboratory leaders' difficulties in hiring certified MLS professionals,” said Andrea Jensen, UIS assistant professor and medical laboratory science program director. “These certificates will provide a pathway for individuals to enter the field and ensure our local laboratories are staffed with competent, certified professionals.”

Each certificate requires 12 to 13 credit hours and will be included under the MLS Program’s current accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). The curriculum will blend classroom, online, laboratory and clinical learning experiences to prepare students for their professional roles.

Key elements of the program include the completion of discipline-specific coursework and a common core in laboratory operations, a 150-hour clinical practicum in the relevant MLS disciplinary area and eligibility for ASCP certification in the corresponding MLS disciplinary area upon completion.

“Students will benefit from UIS’ strong partnerships with local clinical laboratories, which will provide hands-on practicum experiences,” Jensen said. “These collaborations ensure that students gain real-world skills in a clinical setting, working alongside experienced MLS practitioners.”

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, the demand for MLS practitioners is projected to increase by 19% between 2016 and 2030. An aging population and the need for diagnostic testing are driving this growth.

“These certificates address the evolving needs of the workforce and our students,” Jensen said. “They offer a faster, more affordable pathway to becoming a certified professional without needing to complete a second bachelor’s degree.”

Applications for the fall 2024 certificate classes are now open. Students first need to apply for admission to UIS. Next, they will submit a secondary application directly to the MLS Program to be considered for the cohort.

For more information, please visit uis.edu/medical-lab-science or contact the MLS Program at 217-206-8651 or mls@uis.edu.