BS in MLS (4+1 Route)
The MLS program offers a 4+1 curriculum plan designed for individuals who have a bachelor's degree in another field.
An individual is eligible for this program if they have earned a BS or a BA degree from a regionally accredited institution. Upon completion of this route of study, all students are eligible to apply to complete national certification exams in Medical Laboratory Science and will receive a BS degree or Certificate in Medical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota.
Prerequisite courses
Before a student can complete the final professional year of study, which consists of three semesters of full-time enrollment as an undergraduate student, the following prerequisite courses must be completed.
Non-MLS Courses
| Course Name | Credits |
| General Chemistry | 8 |
| Biochemistry | 3 |
| General Biology | 6 |
| Anatomy & Physiology | 6 |
| Basic Science Electives (2)* | 6 |
| College Algebra (or higher) | 3 |
| Statistics (Recommended) | 3 |
MLS Courses
| Course Name | Credits |
| MLS 220: Introduction to Clinical Laboratory Operations** | 2 |
| MLS 226: Introduction to Clinical Immunology** | 3 |
| MLS 332: Introduction to Clinical Hematology** | 3 |
| MLS 334: Introduction to Clinical Microbiology** | 3 |
| MLS 340: Introduction to Molecular Diagnostics** | 1 |
*Microbiology, Organic Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Genetics, or other advisor-approved basic science course
**Available online from UND MLS Program
Application Process
Program application begins September 1 the year prior to the start of the final year of study. Program applications are due October 1.
Admissions Requirements
- Cumulative GPA of at least 2.80.
- No more than one D in any math or science prerequisite course.
- No letter grade of D or F in any MLS course.
- A recommendation from the applicant's college/university advisor.
- Completion of required prerequisite coursework.
Applications will be reviewed by the Medical Laboratory Science Admissions Committee.
Acceptance to the professional program is on a competitive process.
Ranking Applicants
Applications are ranked and the following admission factors are considered:
- Overall (cumulative) GPA
- Number of repeated courses in Science, Math, and MLS areas. (Greater than two repeats will result in scoring deductions.)
- Critical Analysis Passage
- A personal statement that directly answers the UND MLS Program Application Personal Statement Questions
- MLS Program Recommendations from an academic advisor
Disclosed Information
Other factors to be disclosed at time of application include:
- Previous dismissals and/or suspensions from other institutions of higher education (i.e. community college, university, or college) or from other MLS or MLT programs prior to program application.
- Ability of individual student to meet the Essential Function (Technical Standard) requirements for the UND Medical Laboratory Science Program.
- Criminal Background Check from the UND MLS program contracted agency.
- Failure to complete the application accurately will result in the application not being considered and the applicant being denied admission.
Application Deadline
Application deadline for all students is October 1 in the calendar year prior to the start of the final year of study.
Levels of Admission
Full Admission Status
Applicants are fully admitted as part of the professional program. All required pre-requisite coursework will need to be completed prior to beginning the final year of study at UND.
Alternate Admission Status
Applicant will be advanced to the professional program if space becomes available. If advanced, all required prerequisite coursework will need to be completed prior to beginning the final year of study at UND.
Denial Admission Status
Applicant will not be eligible to begin the final year of study at UND.
Notice of Admission
Applicants will be notified of admission status in December of the calendar year prior to the final year of study.
Missing Prerequisite Course
Students are required to complete ALL prerequisite courses, prior to the beginning the final year of study.
Professional Year Coursework
Final Year of Study
Upon successful completion of the required prerequisite coursework, the student advances into final year of study.
The final year of the professional curriculum consists of a three semester course of study with a total of 39 credits which includes online summer courses, a fall semester of in-person laboratory and lecture, and rotations at an assigned clinical affiliate during the spring semester.
Summer Semester (Online)
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| MLS 411 | Clinical Chemistry I | 2 |
| MLS 412 | Clinical Hematology & Hemostasis I | 3 |
| MLS 413 | Clinical Immunohematology I | 2 |
| MLS 414 | Clinical Microbiology I | 3 |
| MLS 415 | Clinical Urinalysis & Body Fluids I | 2 |
| MLS 416 | Clinical Immunology & Molecular Diagnostics | 1 |
| Total Credits | 13 |
Fall Semester (On-Campus)
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| MLS 420 | Clinical Laboratory Operations | 2 |
| MLS 421 | Clinical Chemistry II | 2 |
| MLS 422 | Clinical Hematology & Hemostasis II | 3 |
| MLS 423 | Clinical Immunohematology II | 2 |
| MLS 424 | Clinical Microbiology II | 3 |
| MLS 425 | Clinical Urinalysis & Body Fluids II | 2 |
| Total Credits | 14 |
Spring Semester (Clinical Rotations at Assigned Clinical Affiliate)
| Course # | Course Name | Credits |
| MLS 431 | Clinical Chemistry & Urinalysis III | 2 |
| MLS 432 | Clinical Hematology & Hemostasis III | 2 |
| MLS 433 | Clinical Immunohematology III | 2 |
| MLS 434 | Clinical Microbiology III | 2 |
| MLS 449 | Capstone in MLS | 3 |
| MLS 450 | Advanced Clinical Applications in MLS | 1 |
| Total Credits | 12 |
Total number of courses: 18
Total number of academic credits: 39