MLT/CLT to B.S. in MLS

The MLS program offers on-campus and online options for students who have educational training as a Medical/Clinical Laboratory Technician (MLT/CLT).

Earn Your Degree 100% Online

The MLT to MLS online program allows experienced working professionals to complete degree requirements while remaining in their current position. The online MLT program does not required an on-campus component. Our MLT program advisor, Allison Waswick, works with each student individually to create an unique program of study that is built around each student's needs.

Routes of Study

On-campus

This route of study is for students who have graduated from an accredited MLT program but want to attend classes on-campus in a traditional format. Students with a MLT background take fewer MLS courses than our traditional students.

Online

To be eligible for this route:

Individuals must have earned a degree from a NAACLS accredited MLT program
Have earned national certification as a MLT/CLT

All courses are available online with no required on-campus time at UND.

Plan of Study

To earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science, a student must:

Earn at least 125 total semester credit hours.
30 semester hours must be completed at UND.
Students must fulfill UND's Essential Study Requirements
Students must meet the requirements for the UND B.S. in MLS degree. The UND MLT program advisor will review all transfer coursework to create a individualized program of study that is based on all transfer coursework and laboratory work experience.

Transfer of MLT Coursework

The following guidelines are used to assist our program advisor in the evaluation of your MLT educational background:

A MLT graduate from a NAACLS accredited institution will be eligible to transfer all applicable credits (depending on curriculum completed).
Transfer credits may allow the waiver of several science courses in the professional curriculum.
Each student's record is evaluated and a recommendation is made to UND's Registrar regarding the number of credits to be transferred and the waiver of prerequisite science courses.
The student may be eligible for a shortened professional program based on previously completed coursework, years of work experience in a clinical laboratory, and a clinical competency assessment.
A minimum of three weeks is required in both Immunohematology and Clinical Microbiology (total of six weeks) clinical rotations.
A specific outline for the number of credits that will transfer has been incorporated into articulation agreements with numerous regional technical and community colleges

Admission to Final Clinical Year

Admission is on a competitive basis. Admission to UND does not guarantee admission into the UND MLS professional program.

Application to the professional program must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit a program application:

Cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a scale of 4.0.
No more than two repeated math, or science courses in the pre-MLS curriculum. No more than one repeated MLS course in the pre-MLS curriculum.
No more than one letter grade of D in any math or science course in the pre-professional curriculum.
No letter grade of D in any MLS course.
If an MLS student fails (earns a D or F grade) in any 300 level MLS course, the student will lose his/her full admission status and will be placed in the alternate list ranking for entrance into the upcoming summer session program if following that route of study.
The student must verify that they meet the essential functions required for entrance into the clinical curriculum of a program.
All transfer work must be submitted to the UND Office of the Registrar. Verification of completion of coursework must also be submitted to the student advisor if the transfer credits have not yet been placed on the official UND transcript .Transfer credit verification must be on the UND transcript prior to the entrance to the clinical affiliate. If all transfer credits are not at UND by the clinical affiliation date, the clinical experience and graduation will be delayed.
The student must understand that a background study will be done by a professional agency, approved by the MLS program, at the cost to the student. The student must pass this background study to be allowed into a clinical affiliate site to complete the clinical affiliation portion of the curriculum and fulfill the requirements of earning a B.S. or certificate in MLS from UND.
The Medical Laboratory Science Professional and Academic Standards Committee may require an interview for admission.
Admission is on a competitive basis, the application will be scored on a numerical scale related to the following criteria: Overall GPA, prerequisite science GPA, repeated courses, number of credits completed, assessment of writing sample and scientific passage.
A completed application must be in the student's file in the MLS program office.
Application and acceptance to the University of North Dakota is different than the application process of the MLS professional program. Acceptance (admission) to the University of North Dakota does not mean acceptance into the MLS professional program.
If the student has previously been terminated from a MLT/CLT or MT/MLS program, he/she must submit a petition for consideration of acceptance to the program to the Medical Laboratory Science Professional and Academic Standards Committee.
If a student is not accepted into the MLS professional program, he/she must reapply the following year for admission consideration.
When a student is registered in 300 and 400 level MLS courses, a specific tuition is assessed.

Additional Policies

All previous policies for admission apply:

If the student is on a probationary status within the MLS program, a signed statement of understanding, generated by the MLS program director, concerning the probationary requirements to be met by the student, must be in the student's file in the MLS program office.
All required coursework must be successfully accomplished in the freshman, sophomore, and junior years prior to the start of the Summer Session with official verification displayed on the UND transcript.
All MLS courses must be at a letter grade of a C or better.
Two semesters of the junior year must be on campus unless the student holds a prior B.S. or B.A. degree, has earned MLT certification, is a member of a Western College Alliance for Medical Laboratory Science (WCAMLS) college/university or, in the Mayo Cohort Program.
Any student may be subject to a drugs of abuse screen during their curriculum.

Example of MLT Program Articulation

The UND MLS program has active articulation agreements with several MLT programs. The articulation agreement is created to assist students with transferring of coursework from an accredited MLT program to UND. If your NAACLS accredited MLT program would like to articulate with the UND MLS program please contact:

Dr. Brooke Solberg
UND MLS Program Director
brooke.solberg@UND.edu

Active articulation agreements can be found on the UND Registrar's website.

Contact Information

Allison Waswick, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CMEducation Specialist, Dept. of Medical Laboratory Science
University of North Dakota School of Medicine & Health Sciences
1301 N. Columbia Road Stop 9037
Grand Forks, ND 58201
P: 701.777.6710
F: 701.777.2404
allison.waswick@UND.edu