Eligibility and Application

Program Routes

The MLS categorical program has two different eligibility routes: Traditional Categorical Program & VA Affiliated Program. Each route has specific eligibility requirements listed below.

Traditional Categorical Program

Eligible candidates for the Traditional UND MLS Categorical Program must meet the following requirements:

Be employed at a laboratory testing facility that is willing to sponsor your clinical rotations. The site must meet the UND MLS program's minimum competency requirements and complete required paperwork.
Have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a major in biological science or chemistry, OR a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry, which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the baccalaureate degree.
Secure an acceptable proctor for portions of online coursework
Be accepted by the University of North Dakota as an undergraduate student.

VA - Affiliated Program

Eligible candidates for the UND MLS VA-Affiliated Categorical Program must meet the following criteria:

Be hired for (or applying for) an advertised position of "Student Trainee" or "Pathways Intern" at a VA medical testing laboratory
Have a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a major in biological science or chemistry, OR a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university with a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) in biology and chemistry, which may be obtained within, or in addition to, the baccalaureate degree.
Secure an acceptable proctor for portions of online coursework.
Be accepted by the University of North Dakota as an undergraduate student

Application Process

Individuals that meet the above program-specific requirements are eligible for application to the categorical program.

Application Deadlines

Summer: March 15
Fall: July 15
Spring: November 15

Admission is contingent upon the candidate meeting program-specific requirements and clinical site availability.

To apply please contact Categorical Program Coordinator Chris Triske .

Frequently Asked Questions

Application Status Inquiry

If it has been more than three weeks since you submitted your application, call the UND Admissions Office (1.800.CALL.UND; ask for Admissions) directly and inquire about the status of your application.

International Admissions

You might! Call the UND Admissions Office (1.800.CALL.UND; ask for Admissions) to find out what you need to do to be able to complete an application to UND.

No exceptions can be made - you must follow UND's criteria for evaluation of foreign transcripts.

Clinical Program Information

See the Clinical Site and Rotation Information section for more details on clinical site requirements.

Qualified Proctors

Common examples of qualified proctors include: a laboratory supervisor or manager

Categorical Program Deadline

Contact the categorical program coordinator, Chris Triske. In certain situations, it may be possible to review applications received after the deadline.

Admissions Criteria

Certain admission criteria (such as minimum GPA) can be petitioned. Petitions will be reviewed by the UND MLS Program Professional and Academic Standards Committee. Another option would be to consider our program's 4+1 route.