Biology, Medical Laboratory Sciences Concentration

Offered by the Department of Natural Sciences

The B.S. Biology Medical Laboratory Sciences concentration includes three years of academic study on campus and one year (50 weeks) of clinical study at an approved hospital school of Medical Technology.  The program is accredited by the National Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Medical technologists perform complex laboratory analysis that plays a crucial role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Courses at Mansfield range from General Education, Chemistry, Biology, and Physics to Mathematics. Clinical courses include Urinalysis, Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Blood Banking, Immunology, Parasitology, Medical Bacteriology, and Mycology. The student must apply to a hospital school and be accepted by the hospital for the year of clinical study. Mansfield University has an affiliation with Robert Packer Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Sciences in Sayre, Pennsylvania. Stacy Pond, M.S., MLS (ASCP), program director of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Program at Guthrie Clinic/Robert Packer Hospital. Program graduates meet the requirements for certification by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.

Objectives

The B.S. Biology Medical Laboratory Sciences concentration is designed to prepare students for a professional career in Clinical Laboratory Sciences and Biotechnology. Graduates of the B.S. Biology Medical Laboratory Science concentration have professional employment opportunities in the following fields: hospital and private laboratories, pharmaceutical laboratories, research laboratories, biotechnology laboratories, veterinary clinics and forensic laboratories. Career growth is possible within the field and numerous graduate and professional school opportunities exist for students interested in furthering their education.

Learning Outcomes

In addition to the core student learning outcomes for the Biology program, students in the Medical Laboratory Science concentration will apply knowledge in specific content areas and proficiency in laboratory skills required of a clinical laboratory professional (medical technologist). These specific content areas and laboratory skills include the following: hematology and transfusion medicine, urinalysis and body fluids, clinical chemistry, medical bacteriology, mycology and parasitology, immunology and clinical laboratory management.

Licensure Information

Institutions are required to make public whether a program is designed to meet educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification that is required for employment in an occupation or is advertised as meeting such requirements. Institutions are required to make public, for each state, whether the completion of that program would be sufficient to meet licensure requirements in a state for that occupation, did not meet requirements or has not made a determination.  These requirements apply to all programs offered via all modalities (distance education and not).

Students should review the specific academic requirements for the program in which they are enrolling, including those related to practicum/internship as well as pre-qualifications for licensure such as the need for a criminal background check. We highly recommend that students contact the applicable licensure board(s) in their state of residence or in the state where they intend to obtain a license before beginning an academic program that results in licensure and prior to beginning any internship/practicum. Many licensure boards have additional requirements beyond successful degree completion to obtain a license. Please be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies may change at any time. Changes in requirements can impact the program’s ability to meet educational requirements for licensure. Enrolled and prospective students are strongly encouraged to check with the licensing board(s) in their state of residence or in the state in which they intend to obtain a license for the most recent information and requirements. The College will periodically review the state requirements. The College of Health Sciences disclosure does not provide any guarantee that any particular state licensure or certification entity will approve or deny a student’s application.

* It is possible to obtain a New York and California state license with additional documentation of course syllabi and clinical rotation schedules documenting hours spent in clinical areas. Students who wish to obtain New York license are advised to go to the New York Bureau of professions to identify the state requirements. There are additional requirements for New York and California. Students are told during application process, at the interview site, and once they have started the program.