MEdical Laboratory Science Program Information
Medical Laboratory Scientist
The MLS is a health care professional with both academic and hospital laboratory training. MLS personnel are in demand in many settings such as hospital laboratories, clinics and research facilities. Medical Laboratory Scientists are certified through the national certifying agency (ASCP Board of Certification) and are members of a well respected profession.
Program Options
Option #1: Students may complete 3 years of courses at SCSU, followed by a year of internship at a clinical affiliate. Current clinical affiliates are Hennepin County Medical Center, Fairview Heath Services, the University of Minnesota in Minneapolis, MN, and St. Luke’s Hospital in Cedar Rapids, IA.
Option #2: St. Cloud State University (SCSU) and North Hennepin Community College (NHCC) are collaborating on a 2 + 2 program that will result in a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) BS degree from SCSU. Certified Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) can complete the program in two years (full-time). The program also encourages part-time students who are currently employed as MLTs to participate in the program.
Why MLT to MLS?
- More responsibility and expanded role in the laboratory
- Promotions and increased salary
- Increased job satisfaction
About SCSU and NHCC
NHCC is committed to the development of partners within the MNSCU system to make the best use of resources to provide the education of clinical laboratory professionals.
As Minnesota’s most accredited comprehensive university SCSU is ready to provide programs to enhance the clinical laboratory professional. SCSU and NHCC are committed to nurturing diversity with educational, cultural, and support programs. SCSU has long standing programs in ESL and developmental Mathematics. These programs reflect our commitment to promote educational opportunities for an increasingly more diverse society and attract people of all background. Because of SCSU’s dedication to providing a career-focused education and lifelong learning skills, graduates go on to succeed in a variety of fields and make significant contributions to their communities.
Program is pending accreditation by the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 - phone number 847-939-3597, www.naacls.org.
Upon completion of either option, graduates are eligible to sit for the national certification exam offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology, but granting of the BS degree is NOT contingent on passing the certification exam.
