Undergraduate

Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. (2+2), (3+1)

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Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (2+2), (3+1)

Close up of blue-gloved hands operating a microscope. — "HPAO has put me on the right track to pursue my degree and has given me constant reassurance and encouragement on the journey to get there."

Juliana Bryant ('25)

B.A. in Allied Health Studies

About the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science

At the University of Mississippi, the medical laboratory science program has two options.

The 2+2 option is not completed at the UM-Oxford campus. UM students complete two years of coursework then apply to University of Mississippi Medical Center's Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) programto obtain a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree in Jackson, MS. Acceptance into the final two years of clinical coursework in the program is competitive and class size is limited.
Students who apply for and are accepted for the 3+1 MLS program at the North Mississippi Medical Center;in Tupelo, MS. The students accepted complete their final, clinical year (August to August) at NMMC to earn the degree program from the University of Mississippi.

At UM, you will be enrolled in the Allied Health Studies major with the Medical Lab Science emphasis and be assigned an academic counselor who will ensure that you have the pre-requisite courses needed to be able to apply to a medical laboratory science school of your choice. Pre-requisite requirements are determined by your schools of interest. Our office not only keeps you on track with pre-requisites, we provide tutoring, application assistance, mock interviews to help prepare for the actual interview, and help with locating schools based on the your criteria.

Incoming freshman will select the medical laboratory science emphasis for Allied Health Studies on their UM application. Others complete the short online form to be assigned to an HPAO advisor and notified about HPAO programs and services.

The Value of an Allied Health Studies Degree

Allied Health Studies majors gain the ability to understand human behavior, communicate complex ideas, think critically, interpret data, and engage with a diverse world. These skills prepare our majors to enter any allied health profession and become leaders of the future.

What is Medical Laboratory Science?

Medical laboratory scientists are highly skilled scientists who perform and evaluate diagnostic laboratory procedures of body fluids, develop new diagnostic procedures, supervise biomedical research projects, provide technical expertise, manage clinical and research laboratory departments, and analyze and implement laboratory information systems. The major areas of interest in laboratory science are hematology, immunohematology (transfusion medicine), clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry, clinical immunology, body fluid analysis, and molecular diagnostics. For more information regarding medical laboratory scientists’ salary, job outlook, and resources visit Explorehealthcareers.

Health Professions Advising Office Degree Plan AHS Checksheet, Med Lab Science Emphasis

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Program Information

Degree

B.A. in Allied Health Studies

Emphases

Medical Laboratory Studies (2+2)

Required Credit Hours

120

Program Type

Major

Program Location

Oxford

School

College of Liberal Arts

Duration

4 years

Medical Laboratory Science Degree Requirements

Departments from across the University of Mississippi contribute courses to the B.A. in Allied Health Studies, which is organized by HPAO. The degree prepares students for application and admission to allied health professional schools.

Students in the B.A. in Allied Health Studies program complete 30-36 credit hours of courses for the major, additional requirements, and a required minor field of study.

Bisc 210: Microbiology (or any Bisc 300 level or higher)
ES 396: Allied Health Terminology OR Clc 201: Medical Terminology
Spch 102: Fundamentals of Public Speaking OR Spch 105: Business and Professional Speaking
One of the following advanced communication courses
- Spch 305: Collaborative Communication
- Writ 300: Rhetoric of Professional Communication
- Writ 310: Writing in Professional Contexts
- Writ 320: Contemporary Writing Studies
- Writ 380: Scientific Writing
- Writ 399: Special Topics
- Writ 410: Grant Writing
5 of the following electives, depending on your allied health field and interests
- Anth 349: Medical Anthropology
- IMC/Jour 585: Health Communications
- NHM 325: Family Relations
- NHM 328: Child Development
- Phil 321: Ethics
- Phil/Rel 328: Biomedical Ethics
- Soc 301/G St 303: The Family
- Soc 310: Sociology of Disability
- Soc 311: Social Problems
- Soc 333: Sociology of Delinquency
- Soc 345: Population Trends and Problems
- Soc 353: Community Development
- Soc 370/Hon 315: Population Health
- Soc 413/AAS 413: Race and Ethnicity
- Soc 427: Social Stratification
- SW 326: Gerontology
- Any 300 level or above biology course
- Any 300 level or above psychology course
- Any 300 level or above exercise science course

Additional requirements for the program are:

Psy 201: General Psychology
One of the following
- Psy 301: Developmental Psychology
- Psy 311: Abnormal Psychology
- NHM 323: Human Growth and Development

Welcome to Medical Laboratory Science

Whether you're considering a future as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, gathering information about the profession, or actively preparing to apply to a Medical Laboratory Science program, we’re here to support your journey. Learn more about what a Medical Laboratory Scientist does, gain valuable experience, and take confident steps toward a fulfilling career as a certified MLS.

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