Medical Laboratory Sciences Program Requirements Info

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the traditional Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree or the Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in MLS are expected to meet certain physical and mental requirements to ensure safe performance in medical laboratory procedures. These technical standards of performance are called the Essential Functions of MLS, and include the following six criteria:

01 Visually inspect medical test requests, medical test results, condition of medical reagents, equipment, and devices, and work in low light environments. Corrective glasses are approved.

02 Hear colleagues, instructors, patients, and other health care providers both face-to-face and with the back turned. Hearing aids are approved.

03 Communicate effectively and sensitively with instructors, colleagues, patients, and other health care providers. Verbalization is essential under stress and emergency situations.

04 Orthopedic functions to include reaching, manipulating, and operating necessary clinical laboratory equipment and instrumentation. Ability to respond to stressful and emergency circumstances.

05 Intellectual and conceptual integrative and quantitative abilities that enable one to measure, calculate, reason, analyze, evaluate, and synthesize information. One must understand three-dimensional relationships and have problem-solving skills.

06 Behavioral and social attributes that demonstrate the exercise of good judgment, the prompt completion of responsibilities, and development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships

ENGLISH PROFICIENCY

Submit documentation of English proficiency. Students taking TOEFL on the AState campus will see their scores appear on their application automatically.

English proficiency documents include one of the following:

PTE Score: 60 or above
New TOEFL score of 4.5 or above
IELTS band score of 6.5or above

SPANISH PROFICIENCY

Actualmente en la región que sirve ASU, se necesitan profesionales de la salud que hablen español. Por favor, indique aquí si usted tiene esta habilidad. Se da crédito adicional a los candidatos que puedan demostrar esta competencia.

Spanish proficiency documents include one of the following:

Praxis II – Spanish: World Language (minimum score 168)
ACTFL-OPI (Oral Proficiency Interview) (minimum score “Advanced Low”)

NOTES TO APPLICANT AND SELECTION PROCESS

Only a completed application packet, consisting of the application form, criminal background check acknowledgement (Bridge program applicants excluded), 2 professional evaluations, and transcripts of all college work attempted, will be accepted for review.

AAS Applicants

01 The submitted application requires a completed application form, two completed professional evaluations (one from a current or former employer, and one from an instructional reference, both of whom you’ve interacted with in the past 3 years), and college/university transcripts of all college work attempted.

02 Applications are not reviewed on a first come/first served basis.

03 The minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for admission is 2.50.

04 Factors considered in the application process include the following

A. Cumulative grade point average:

- Worth up to 56 points of possible 80 points for AAS application.

B. Proficiency in a second language, spoken and written, confirmed through testing (Praxis II or Oral Proficiency Interview):

- Worth up to 6 points of possible 80 points for AAS application.

C. Two references provided by the applicant evaluated according to a standardized rubric:

- Worth up to 18 points of possible 80 points for AAS application.

05 Completion of or current enrollment in Principles of MLS and Lab (MLRS 11532, 11541), with a grade of “B” or better.

06 Completion of (or current enrollment in) key coursework before beginning the AAS program:

A. General Chemistry I and Lab (CHEM 14101, 14103)

B. Anatomy & Physiology I & II (BIOL 24001, 24003; BIOL 24101, 24103)

C. Microbiology for NHP (BIOL 20001, 20003)

07 Students who are admitted into the traditional 2-year AAS degree program will be expected to provide their own transportation to and from assigned clinical sites. Transportation is not provided by A-State or the MLS Department. Additionally, there is not reliable public transportation in northeast Arkansas.

08 Criminal background check acknowledgement – all students who are admitted into the traditional BS or AAS degree program must pass a criminal background check prior to beginning MLS classes. The cost of the criminal background check is the responsibility of the student. Bridge program applicants are excluded from this requirement.

09 Arkansas State University is an equal opportunity institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, impediment/disability, or unlawful factors in the admission and treatment of students.

Only a completed application packet, consisting of the application form, criminal background check acknowledgement (Bridge program applicants excluded), 2 professional evaluations, and transcripts of all college and/or high school work attempted, will be accepted for review.

BS Applicants

01 The submitted application requires a completed application form, two completed professional evaluations (one from a current or former employer, and one from an instructional reference, both of whom you’ve interacted with in the past 3 years), and college/university transcripts of all college work attempted.

02 Applications are not reviewed on a first come/first served basis.

03 The minimum cumulative grade point average (CGPA) for admission is 2.50.

04 Factors considered in the application process include the following:

A. Cumulative grade point average:

- Worth up to 56 points of possible 156 points for BS application.

B. Support course grades:

- Worth up to 72 points of possible 156 points for BS application.

- Support courses include General Chemistry I & II, Anatomy & Physiology I & II, Microbiology for Nursing & Health Professions, Principles of Medical Laboratory Science

- Grade of A = 6 points, B = 5 points, C = 4 points, and D = 2 points for each support course

C. Proficiency in a second language, spoken and written, confirmed through testing (Praxis II or Oral Proficiency Interview):

- Worth up to 10 points of possible 156 points for BS application

D. Two references provided by the applicant evaluated according to a standardized rubric:

- Worth up to 18 points of possible 156 points for BS application.

05 Completion of or current enrollment in MLSC 1511 & MLSC 1512, Basic Principles of MLS, with a grade of “B” or better.

06 Completion of (or current enrollment in) key coursework before beginning the BS is required (this does not apply to the AAS):

A. General Chemistry I & II and Labs (CHEM 14101, 14103; CHEM 14201, 14203)

B. Anatomy & Physiology I & II (BIOL 24001, 24003; BIOL 24101, 24103)

C. Microbiology for NHP (BIOL 20001, 20003)

07 Students who are admitted into the traditional 4-year BS degree program will be expected to provide their own transportation to and from assigned clinical sites. Transportation is not provided by A-State or the MLS Department. Additionally, there is not reliable public transportation in northeast Arkansas.

08 Criminal background check acknowledgement – all students who are admitted into the traditional BS or AAS degree program must pass a criminal background check prior to beginning MLS classes. The cost of the criminal background check is the responsibility of the student. Bridge program applicants are excluded from this requirement.

09 Arkansas State University is an equal opportunity institution and will not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, impediment/disability, or unlawful factors in the admission and treatment of students.

The Medical Laboratory Science Program is accredited by the following agency:

National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018-5119

Arkansas State University

Medical Laboratory Sciences Program Requirements Info

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