Mar 28, 2024  
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog 
    
2021-2022 Undergraduate Catalog [NOTE!!!! THIS IS AN ARCHIVED CATALOG. FOR THE CURRENT CATALOG, GO TO CATALOG.NIU.EDU]

Medical Laboratory Sciences (B.S.)


Check departmental information for any additional requirements.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at http://www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.

General Information


Admission to the major 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 complete an examination for professional competence by the Board of Certification. Completion of the examination, however, is not a prerequisite for the B.S. degree.

Students must be admitted into the medical laboratory sciences program to enroll in 300- and 400- level AHLS courses. Students must maintain a grade of C or better in all 300-level AHLS designated courses in the MLS program or be subject to dismissal from the program. A student also may be dismissed from the program for unprofessional behavior or for actions that threaten the health and/or safety of patients. All general education courses must be completed before beginning the practicum courses in the hospital.

The medical laboratory science practicum courses, AHLS 486 and AHLS 487, include topics in hematology, hemostasis, urinalysis, body fluids, medical microbiology, medical diagnostic biochemistry, medical immunology and immunohematology. . Clinical placements at affiliated hospitals require the student to meet all clinical requirements (HERE).

Before enrolling in AHLS 486 and AHLS 487 students must have completed all other university and program requirements for graduation. Medical laboratory science degree completion (ADC) students enrolling in AHLS 488 must be in the process of completing all university requirements.   

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 ASCP Board of Certification or equivalent national organization and a minimum of one year of experience working full-time as a CLT/MLT, within the last five years, must demonstrate the competencies required of all medical laboratory sciences majors. Once formally admitted into the major, degree completion students have the option of completing didactic courses online and must complete the required AHLS 300-level courses with a grade of C or better; additional courses required are HSCI 318 or proficiency test, AHLS 440, AHLS 450 or HSCI 450, and HSCI 460. Medical laboratory science degree completion students enrolling in AHLS 488, Medical Laboratory Science Degree Completion Practicum, must be in the process of completing all university requirements. In addition, these students must obtain satisfactory performance in AHLS 475, Medical Laboratory Sciences Competency. Degree completion students may receive up to 12 semester hours of credit for the Introduction to MLS course and AHLS 300- level lab courses. Upon successful completion of all the MLS requirements, the student may be awarded up to an additional 17 hours of proficiency credit for the learning experiences leading to the A.A.S. in CLT/MLT. Students in this program are exempt from the 30-semester-hour university graduation residence. 

Individuals who are certified as clinical or medical laboratory technicians , have a minimum of one year of experience working full-time as a CLT/MLT within the last five years, 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.

The student learning outcomes for this degree are located at www.niu.edu/assessment/clearinghouse/outcomes/index.shtml.  

Requirements in School (48-59)


Requirements outside School (37-38)


Total Hours for a Major in Medical Laboratory Sciences: 85-97


Recommendations


Medical laboratory science (MLS) majors must maintain an ongoing active communication with the program director for medical laboratory sciences.  

Graduates of the MLS program are encouraged to become certified as a medical laboratory scientist by sitting for the ASCP Board of Certification MLS exam for professional competence. Completion of the examination, however, is not a prerequisite for the B.S. degree. Graduates are encouraged to take the exam within six months of completion of the program.