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Undergraduate Degree Offered

B.S.M.L.S - Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science

Areas of Study

Chemistry; Hematology and Hemostasis; Immunohematology (Blood Bank); Microbiology, Parasitology and Mycology; Molecular Diagnostics; Urine and Body Fluid Analysis; Laboratory Operations (including phlebotomy)

Length of Program

Eleven (11) months - The program consists of 43 semester hours and begins in late May of each year. Graduates are eligible to apply for ASCP board certification as medical laboratory scientists upon completion of the program. 

The MLS Program has three phases: student laboratory (13 weeks) on the Omaha or Kearney Campus (University of Nebraska at Kearney), first clinical rotation (17 weeks), and second clinical rotation (17 weeks) at assigned clinical locations. At each phase of the program, students must learn to integrate practice with theoretical knowledge and understanding.

Description

The MLS Program provides patient-centered educational opportunities, with theoretical knowledge and practical experience in hematology, clinical chemistry, microbiology, immunohematology (blood bank), immunology, molecular diagnostics and management. The program emphasizes laboratory principles and procedures, clinical significance and application, principles and practice of quality assurance, principles of laboratory management and supervision, safety, instructional methods, and computer applications.

Through affiliated programs, students have the option of obtaining their clinical education at one of several clinical affiliate sites. Students are not accepted into the MLS program if clinical experience cannot be guaranteed.

Degree Requirements

All students must successfully complete the entire curriculum of the MLS Program in order to be considered for the Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Students must have completed a total of 120 semester credit hours to qualify for the baccalaureate degree from the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Medical Laboratory Science Website

Medical Laboratory Science

The mission of admissions in the College of Allied Health Professions is to advance evidence-based recruitment and admissions practices that are inclusive, equitable and balanced with respect to experiences, attributes and metrics to recruit and admit applicants for the purpose of preparing highly competent, collaborative and compassionate professionals dedicated to improving the health and healthcare of all individuals and communities. 

For specific MLS admissions, application, and timelines, visit: MLS Admissions.

Note: Degree Completion Advancement (MLT to MLS) will have a different schedule from what is listed below, but are required to complete the listed courses.

The curriculum includes theory, practical application and technical performance experiences gained through lectures, clinical case studies, writing activities, small group work, independent study, and supervised laboratory experiences. The patient-oriented learning environment includes all areas of a full-service, accredited clinical pathology laboratory.

Required courses totaling 43 semester hours of credit include:

Plan of Study Grid
FallCredit Hours
Completed May-August (Student Laboratory):  
MLS 407 CLINICAL LABORATORY OPERATIONS 2
MLS 408 INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY 2
MLS 409 INTRODUCTION TO MEDICAL MICROBIOLOGY 2
MLS 410 INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND URINALSIS 1
MLS 411 INTRODUCTION TO CLINICAL IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY 1
Completed August-November (Clinical Rotation I):  
MLS 413 CLINICAL ENDOCRINOLOGY AND TOXICOLOGY 1
MLS 414 CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND URINALYSIS I 2
MLS 416 CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY I 2
MLS 418 CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY I 2
MLS 420 CLINICAL IMMUNOLOGY, SEROLOGY AND MOLECULAR DIAGNOSTICS 2
MLS 422 CLINICAL IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY I 2
MLS 430 CLINICAL LABORATORY MANAGEMENT I 2
MLS 442 CLINICAL IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY LABORATORY PRACTICUM I 1
MLS 444 CLINICAL CORE LABORATORY PRACTICUM I 1
MLS 448 CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY LABATORY PRACTICUM I 1
 Credit Hours24
Spring
Completed November-May (Clinical Rotation II):  
MLS 412 CLINICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE THEORY, APPLICATION AND CORRELATION 5
MLS 415 CLINICAL CHEMISTRY AND URINALYSIS II 2
MLS 417 CLINICAL HEMATOLOGY II 2
MLS 419 CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY II 2
MLS 423 CLINICAL IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY II 2
MLS 431 CLINICAL LABORATORY MANAGEMENT II 3
MLS 443 CLINICAL IMMUNOHEMATOLOGY LABORATORY PRACTICUM II 1
MLS 445 CLINICAL CORE LABORATORY PRACTICUM II 1
MLS 449 CLINICAL MICROBIOLOGY LABORATORY PRACTICUM II 1
 Credit Hours19
 Total Credit Hours43

Medical Laboratory Science Website 

MLS 2022-2023 Academic Calendar

All students, regardless of home university, follow the UNMC Academic Calendar while in the MLS program.

  • Rotation 1:  August 9, 2023 - December 15, 2023

  • Rotation 2:  January 8, 2024 - May 3, 2024

Fall 2023

May 23 Orientation (Attendance is Mandatory)
May 24 First Day of Fall Semester (You will have homework the afternoon of the 17th)
May 29 Last Day to Add/Drop Courses for Fall
May 29 Memorial Day (No Classes)
July 3-4 Independence Day (No Classes)
August 8* End of Summer Lab
*Note: August 9-18 are not vacation weeks.
August 16 UNMC Interprofessional Education Activity (IPE) - Students Only
August 18 CAHP Professionalism Ceremony (All Students Regardless of Home University)
September 5 Labor Day (No Classes)
October 13 Last Day to Withdraw from Fall Classes
November 23-24 Thanksgiving Break (No Classes)
December 15 Last Day of Fall Semester

Spring 2024

January 8 First Day of Spring Semester
January 14 Last Day to Add/Drop Classes for Spring
January 15 Martin Luther King Day (No Classes)
February 10 Deadline to Apply for May Graduation
March 10-17 Spring Break
March 29 Last Day to Withdraw from Spring Classes
May 5 Last Day of Spring Semester

Medical Laboratory Science Website