Medical Laboratory Science

Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) are health care professionals highly trained in the art and technology of clinical laboratory medicine. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies and research. MLS are the detectives of the medical world and perform diagnostic tests to assist the physician in treatment of patients.

Updated March 28, 2024

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Understand and work in hematology.
2. Understand and work in immunohematology.
3. Understand and work in clinical chemistry.
4. Understand and work in immunology/serology.
5. Understand and work in clinical microbiology.

Northeastern State offers two options to earn a baccalaureate degree in Medical Laboratory Science:

Pathway I: Consortium Plan 3+1

Students complete 94 hours of prerequisite courses prior to attending a 12-month, 30-credit hour internship at one of four state schools of medical laboratory science. Successful completion of the internship earns students a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science and eligibility to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification national exam. Passing the Board of certification exam allows you to practice in most national laboratories and to use the initials MLS (ASCP) after the name.

Listed below are the hospitals of affiliation for the Medical Laboratory Science Program.  Contact the NSU MLS Program Director for information and/or internship application.

Comanche County Memorial Hospital, Lawton
St. Francis Hospital, Tulsa
Mercy Hospital, Ada
Mercy Hospital, Ardmore

Applications due October 15 of each year.

Pathway II: Online Degree Completion Program 2+2

Medical Laboratory Technician to Medical Laboratory Scientist [Program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)] , 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119. Medical Laboratory Scientists (MLS) are health care professionals highly trained in the art and technology of clinical laboratory medicine. They are employed in hospitals, clinics, pharmaceutical companies and research. MLS are the detectives of the medical world and perform diagnostic tests to assist the physician in treatment of patients. Graduates have an employment placement rate of 100%.

The Degree Completion 2+2 pathway is for students with a degree in, certified, and are employed as a Medical Laboratory Technology (ASCP or AMT0 or have a BS in a science field. Laboratory competencies are completed at the student's place of employment during non-working hours or a clinical site will be assigned to them. Completion of this program will allow the student to earn a bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science, be eligible to take either the ASCP or AMT Board of Certification examination.

Hospital affiliates for clinical sites.

Northeastern Health Systems, Tahlequah, OK

Cherokee Nation WW Hastings Hospital, Tahlequah, OK

Jack C. Montgomery VA Medical Center, Muskogee, OK

Diagnostic Laboratory of Oklahoma, Oklahoma City, OK

Baptist Health - Fort Smith, Fort Smith, AR

A MLS student may be eligible for advanced standing. Criteria can be found under the BS Courses tab.

One cohort is admitted each year for the Fall semester.  Out of state students receive instate tuition + $1 per credit hour.  Contact Program Director for more details.

MLS Student Handbook

Applications are available January 1- April 15 and complete applications are due April 15 of each year.

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Degree Completion 2+2 is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, 773-714-8880; https://www.naacls.org/

The Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MSMLS) Online program provides students with educational courses that include an emphasis on laboratory leadership in order that they may go beyond being a bench scientist to becoming a lead or shift supervisor, manager, or director in the medical laboratory field.

Northeastern State offers two pathways to earn a Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.

Student Learning Outcomes

1. Demonstrate laboratory leadership to initiate change and improvement in quality, safety, and outcomes in the medical laboratory field.

2. Evaluate technology and other resources effectively.

3. Apply research knowledge and critique skills when evaluating possible changes in the medical laboratory.

4. Compare and contrast the different regulatory agencies.

5. Demonstrate knowledge in all departments of the medical laboratory field.

6. Compare and contrast the different types of testing methodology and instrumentation in the medical laboratory.

*General Admission Requirements* 

Beyond admission requirements for the Graduate College, admission to the Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program requires the following: Cumulative Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.                                         

*Conditional Admission*               

For those persons who individuals who wish to pursue a degree, but are unable to meet the undergraduate GPA requirements, conditional enrollment may be allowed as follows: Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 - 2.99 may be granted conditional admission and may only take 6 hours a semester and must maintain a GPA of 3.0 for the first 12 hours. Full admittance will be considered by the Admissions Committee at the completion of 12 credit hours upon the written request of the student. One cohort is admitted each year for the Fall semester. Out of state students receive instate tuition + $1 per credit hour.  Information regarding the MSMLS program, contact Dr. Sallie Ruskoski.                 

*Traditional Pathway*                 

The Traditional Pathway is for students that have a BS or BA degree and want to become a certified Medical Laboratory Scientist in order to work in the Medical Laboratory Profession. Completion of this program will allow the student to earn a master’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science, be eligible to take either the ASCP or AMT Board of Certification examination, and become a Laboratory Supervisor, Manager, or Director. Prerequisites: Applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses, or their equivalent, with a grade of “C” or better.                   

• College Algebra
• Chemistry I
• Essentials of Organic Chemistry or Organic Chem I
• Pathogenic/Medical Microbiology
• Virology/Parasitology/Mycology
• Immunology
• Genetics   

Laboratory competencies are completed at an approved medical laboratory during non-working hours.               

*Credit for Prior Learning*             

A MSMLS student in the traditional pathway may be eligible for advanced standings for Clinical Rotation I, II, and III or a specific department subject if he/she meets the following criteria: Is a Medical Laboratory Technician or a Categorical (ASCP, AMT, or an approved certification agency) The Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Traditional Pathway is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, 773-714-8880; http://www.naacls.org.

*Advanced Standing Pathway*       

The Advanced Standing Pathway is for students that have a BS or BA degree and are currently MLS certified (ASCP, AMT, or other approved certification agency) who want to earn a master’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science in order to become a Laboratory Supervisor, Manager, or Director.

*MSMLS Traditional Pathway (7617)*

Prerequisites: Applicants must complete the following prerequisite courses, or their equivalent, with a grade of “C” or better.

• College Algebra
• Chemistry I
• Essentials of Organic Chemistry or Organic Chem I
• Pathogenic/Medical Microbiology
• Virology/Parasitology/Mycology
• Immunology
• Genetics

*Clinical Prerequisites* - 30 hours ·

• MLS 5002 - Professions in Medical Laboratory Sciences
• MLS 5043 - Professional Medical Laboratory Communications ·
• MLS 5132 - Medical Laboratory Instrumentation ·
• MLS 5252 - Medical Laboratory Management ·
• MLS 5283 - Medical Laboratory Regulation and Finance ·
• MLS 5612 - Medical Laboratory Research Methods ·
• MLS 5623 - Diagnostic Medical Laboratory Operations
• MLS 5653 - Evidence-Based Practice in Medical Laboratory Sciences ·
• MLS 5952 - Capstone Experience in Medical Laboratory Sciences ·
• MLS 5982 - Medical Laboratory Science Leadership Experience ·
• MPH 5303 - Essentials for Public Health Leadership ·
• MPH 5583 - Global Health & Infectious Diseases

Clinical Core - 34 hours ·

• MLS 5124 - Diagnostic Medical Microbiology ·
• MLS 5332 - Clinical Rotation I ·
• MLS 5334 - Diagnostic Clinical Hematology ·
• MLS 5424 - Diagnostic Clinical Chemistry ·
• MLS 5513 - Medical Molecular Diagnosis ·
• MLS 5562 - Diagnostic Serology ·
• MLS 5574 - Diagnostic Immunohematology ·
• MLS 5712 - Diagnostic Urinalysis and Body Fluids ·
• MLS 5722 - Diagnostic Coagulation ·
• MLS 5823 - Clinical Rotation II ·
• MLS 5842 - Clinical Rotation III ·
• MLS 5912 - Medical Laboratory Seminar

Total Degree Hours - Traditional Pathway - 64 hours

*Advanced Standing Pathway (7618)* ·

• MLS 5002 - Professions in Medical Laboratory Sciences ·
• MLS 5043 - Professional Medical Laboratory Communications ·
• MLS 5132 - Medical Laboratory Instrumentation ·
• MLS 5252 - Medical Laboratory Management · MLS 5283 - Medical Laboratory Regulation and Finance ·
• MLS 5612 - Medical Laboratory Research Methods ·
• MLS 5623 - Diagnostic Medical Laboratory Operations ·
• MLS 5653 - Evidence-Based Practice in Medical Laboratory Sciences ·
• MLS 5952 - Capstone Experience in Medical Laboratory Sciences ·
• MLS 5982 - Medical Laboratory Science Leadership Experience ·
• MPH 5303 - Essentials for Public Health Leadership ·
• MPH 5583 - Global Health & Infectious Diseases                 

Total Degree Hours - Advanced Standing Pathway - 30 hours

*General Admission Requirements* Beyond admission requirements for the Graduate College, admission to the Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program requires the following: Cumulative Undergraduate Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. *Conditional Admission. For those persons who individuals who wish to pursue a degree, but are unable to meet the undergraduate GPA requirements, conditional enrollment may be allowed as follows: Applicants with a cumulative GPA of 2.50 - 2.99 may be granted conditional admission and may only take 6 hours a semester and must maintain a GPA of 3.0 for the first 12 hours. Full admittance will be considered by the Admissions Committee at the completion of 12 credit hours upon the written request of the student. One cohort is admitted each year for the Fall semester. Out of state students receive instate tuition + $1 per credit hour. Information regarding the MSMLS program, contact Dr. Sallie Ruskoski.

*Retention and Graduation*            The candidate for the Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree must satisfy the following requirements: Monitor degree progress using the degree audit system in the goNSU portal. Meet Graduate College policies detailed in Academic Information and Master’s Degree Requirements regarding GPA, minimum grades, coursework age, residency and institutional / state regulations governing degree conferral. Students must receive a grade of “C” or above in each course and maintain a GPA of a 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. MSMLS Traditional Pathway students must complete laboratory competencies required to meet NAACLS requirements in order to graduate.

*Credit for Prior Learning*                  A MSMLS student in the traditional pathway may be eligible for advanced standings for Clinical Rotation I, II, and III or a specific department subject if he/she meets the following criteria:

• Is a Medical Laboratory Technician or a Categorical (ASCP, AMT, or an approved certification agency) AND
• Has worked in an accredited medical laboratory for at least 2 years post certification.     

*Program Dismissal Standards* Students earning a grade below a “C” and/or with a GPA <3.0 are placed on academic probation for one semester. Once on probation, the student will be put on a plan of study for part-time enrollment until the course with the below par grade is retaken and passed with a “C” or above and GPA is >3.0. A second course grade below a “C” and/or GPA <3.0 will result in suspension from the Graduate College and termination from the program. The student may apply for re-admission into the program one time after one year. However, any previous courses that are specifically in the Traditional Pathway, cannot be older than 4 years old.