Medical Laboratory Science Program (BS)

Why Choose Medical Laboratory Science?

Medical Laboratory Scientists perform laboratory analyses to help the physician detect, diagnose and treat disease. Lab scientists work with sophisticated laboratory instruments and computers that must be kept in optimal operating condition to give the most accurate results. Physicians base about 70 percent of their diagnosis and treatment decisions on the results of laboratory testing.

In the Medical Laboratory Science program, you’ll learn how to perform and interpret the results of tests on the samples that were collected by phlebotomists and others. The program combines classroom instruction and laboratory practice on-campus with an internship in an affiliated laboratory.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities exist in the clinical laboratories in hospitals and medical centers; pharmaceutical industry in quality control, research and biotechnology; government crime labs, accreditation offices, environmental technology, veterinary medicine and lab information systems; humanitarian work in the Peace Corps, Project Hope and medical missionary workers. Many assume positions as laboratory directors and supervisors.

In 2019, the average hourly rate for a staff MLS was $30.02.

Admission Requirements

New Student Admission Requirements

• 2.70 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale) (2.50 -2.69 with college approval)
• Minimum Composite Score of ACT 18/SAT 950 OR 3.0 High School GPA (on a 4.00 scale) and Composite ACT 17/SAT 900

Transfer Student Admission Requirements

• 2.50 College GPA (on a 4.00 scale)

Admission Requirements to the Professional Sequence

• 2.50 GPA or higher (on a 4.00 scale). 
• Obtain a grade of C or higher in the following courses: MATH 115 or 117, CHEM 114, CHEM 214, BIOL 251/252, and BIOL 108 or 286. 
• All Mathematics (MATH), Biology (BIOL), and Chemistry (CHEM) courses must meet the above requirements within two attempts. A withdrawal, W grade, counts as an attempt.

Application Accepted: February 1st - 15th prior to summer semester requested.

To assure students of a quality technical education in classroom/lab and clinical practice, enrollment is limited.

General Education Requirements

University General Education Requirements

GENERAL EDUCATION COURSES

Graduation Requirements

In order to graduate from Ferris State University, students must meet both University and Programmatic Graduation Requirements.

University Graduation Requirements

These are the minimum graduation requirements for a graduate degree at Ferris State University:

• All requirements as specified in the University Requirements section must be met.
• A minimum of 120 credits must be earned.
• A 2.00 or higher cumulative Ferris State University GPA is required.
• A minimum of 30 credits must be earned from Ferris State University to meet the Residency requirement.
• A minimum of 40 credits of 300 level or higher courses must be earned.

Programmatic Graduation Requirements

These are the additional graduation requirements mandated by the program:

• All requirements as specified in the College Requirements section must be met.
• A 2.50 or higher cumulative Ferris State University GPA is required.
• A minimum grade of C must be earned in BIOL 108 or 286, BIOL 251/252, and CHEM 214.
• A minimum grade of C must be earned in all Clinical Lab Sciences (CLLS) and College of Health Professions (COHP) courses.
• If a student earns grade of less than a C in any Clinical Lab Sciences (CLLS) course, they will be required to repeat that course when there is a seat available. Students may repeat a maximum of 3 credits of Clinical Lab Sciences (CLLS) courses. Earning less than a C in courses totaling 4 or more credits will result in a student’s being denied from progressing further in the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program. Failing to earn a grade of C or higher in the same course after two attempts will result in the student’s being denied from progressing further in the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program. An attempt is defined as enrollment in the course one week or longer. Complete the professional phase within 5 years of the beginning of the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program. If a student cannot complete the program within the stipulated time, they will be required to reapply to the professional phase of the program.
• A minimum grade of C must be earned in all required courses in order to enter the clinical experience.

More Information

Ferris offers an internship in the last semester of the program, although due to limited space, specific clinical site locations cannot be guaranteed. If a student interrupts progression in the professional sequence of the program, re-entry cannot be guaranteed due to space limitations in laboratory and clinical placement sites.

The Ferris State University Medical Laboratory Science program (MLS) is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). NAACLS can be contacted as follows: NAACLS 5600 N river Road Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 847.939.3597, 773.714.8886 fax, www.naacls.org