Admission to the majors in medical laboratory sciences is limited. See “Limited Admissions and Limited Retention Requirements” in the front part of this catalog.
The medical laboratory sciences program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. To become certified as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS), the graduate of the program must be examined for professional competence by the Board of Certification. Completion of the examination, however, is not a prerequisite for the B.S. degree.
Once admitted into the medical laboratory sciences program, a student must maintain a grade of C or better in required courses in the school or be subject to dismissal from the program. A student also may be dismissed from the program for unprofessional behavior or for actions which threaten the health and/or safety of patients. All general education courses must be completed before beginning the clinical courses in the hospital.
Clinical placements at affiliated hospitals require the student to provide and incur cost for the following:
blood titers for hepatitis B, rubella, rubeola, mumps, varicella zoster;
completion of a 3-dose series of Hepatitis B immunization unless proof of immunization is provided. The series should begin as soon as the new transfer student is accepted into the medical laboratory sciences major or before students at NIU enroll in AHLS 211, Introduction to the Medical Laboratory Sciences;
transportation and room/board for clinical courses.
Before enrolling in AHLS 470 students must have completed all other university and program requirements for graduation. Additionally, they must have been admitted to the medical laboratory sciences major and all AHLS 300-level courses must have been completed with a grade of C or better. AHLS 300 and 400 level designated courses are open only to students admitted to the medical laboratory sciences program and are current majors.
B.S. Degree Completion for Clinical/Medical Laboratory Technicians
Clinical or medical laboratory technicians with an associate’s degree and appropriate certification as granted by the Board of Certification or equivalent and a minimum of two years of experience working full-time as a CLT/MLT, must demonstrate the competencies required of all preclinical laboratory sciences majors. Once formally admitted into the major, students must complete the following courses with a grade of C or better, AHCD 440 or AHLS 446, AHLS 301, AHLS 302, AHLS 303, AHLS 308, AHLS 336, AHLS 344; AHLS 448 or UHHS 460, and 14 semester hours of AHLS 470. Upon successful completion of these courses, the degree completion student may be awarded up to 16 semester hours of proficiency credit. Students in this program are exempt from the 30 semester hour university graduation residence requirement.
Individuals who are certified as clinical or medical laboratory technicians and who desire to complete the requirements for the B.S. in clinical or medical laboratory sciences are advised to contact the program coordinator for specific information.
Major in Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.)
The medical laboratory sciences program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Students must take 18 semester hours in this course A. Clinical Hematology/Hemostasis (1-6) B. Clinical Microbiology (1-9) C. Clinical Biochemistry (1-6) D. Clinical Serology/Immunology (1-3) E. Immunohematology (1-3) J. Urinalysis/Body Fluids (1-3) K. Clinical Parasitology/Mycology (1-2)
Total Hours for a Major in Medical Laboratory Sciences: 94-99
Recommendations
Classes in allied health, natural and physical sciences, mathematics, computer science, as well as the social sciences and business may be beneficial. Consultation with program faculty is requested prior to course selection.
To become certified as a medical laboratory scientist, the graduate of the program must be examined on professional competence by a national certifying body. Completion of the examination, however, is not a prerequisite for the B.S. degree.
Majors must maintain an ongoing active communication with the coordinator for medical laboratory sciences.
Contract major programs culminating with a B.S. degree in alternative laboratory-related areas are available. See the description of contract major programs in the general information about the College of Health and Human Sciences.
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