Program Requirements for Biology, Bachelor of Science (Medical Laboratory Science) Majors (51 science credits and 30 internship credits)
The course of study in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) follows a dual track program:
- Students spend three years at Marywood University fulfilling the university requirements and those of the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). In this program, the students spend the fourth year at an accredited school of MLS, gaining theoretical and practical experience in the field of MLS. During this internship, students earn a minimum of 30 and a maximum of 33 credits (depending on course offerings at the accrediting school).
- Students who complete a baccalaureate program in Biology and who have the appropriate prerequisites may also apply to any accredited schools of Medical Laboratory Science.
Marywood maintains an affiliation with the following clinical institutions: Robert Packer Hospital, (Sayre, Pennsylvania); Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences (Lancaster, PA); New York –Presbyterian Brooklyn Methodist Hospital (Brooklyn, NY); UPMC Hospital (Williamsport, PA). Affiliation with these schools does not guarantee the student’s acceptance into a professional practicum program.
The minimum requirements, as determined by most clinical programs are: 16 semester hours of chemistry (8 credit hours in Organic Chemistry), 20 semester hours of biology (including microbiology, immunology, and molecular and cellular biology) and 3 credits of college-level mathematics. A minimum of 90 semester hours of credit is required before entrance into the school of MLS. Most MLS schools require a minimum QPA of 2.50.
Courses in the professional curriculum provide both theoretical and practical experience in the field of MLS. A typical curriculum includes courses that are listed at the end of the Science Department course section. The MLS internship counts for a minimum of 30 credits to complete the B.S. Medical Laboratory Science degree awarded by Marywood University.
Prior to the start of a student’s internship experience, Marywood MLS majors must fill out a leave of absence form obtained from the Registrar’s Office. Students are eligible to earn their B.S. Medical Laboratory Science degree on the University graduation date following the successful completion of a minimum of 30 credits from their internship courses.
Medical Laboratory Science students must complete all Marywood’s academic requirements before starting the internship program, including 51 Science credits. Total number of Science and core credits for degree completion is 90.
The following courses are required at Marywood:
Science Electives (at least 12 selected from):
Students may elect other courses, with permission of department chairperson.