Cooperative Degree Program Bachelor of Science (BS) to Master of Science (MS) in Medical Laboratory Sciences

The Cooperative Degree Program Bachelor of Science (BS) to Master of Science (MS) in Medical Laboratory Sciences allows students to complete their Bachelor of Science degree from their participating four-year university while gaining credits towards a master's degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences at UTMB.

Program Summary

The BS to MS in MLS degree program is for students who are attending a four year college that has an articulation agreement with the UTMB-MLS Program. The student enrolled in the BS to MS Program will be required to complete a minimum three (3) years (90 semester credits) at the originating institution. The student will then attend UTMB for approximately two (2) years and complete 85 semester credits.

Upon successful completion of the first year at UTMB , the student will be awarded a bachelor's degree from the originating institution. Upon successful completion of the UTMB-MLS curriculum, the student will be awarded a master's degree from UTMB. The student's college must be a partner with the UTMB Medical Laboratory Science program. Contact your college advisor to find out about your college's eligibility. If your college is not a partner, speak to your Department Chair or your academic advisor about partnering with UTMB for this degree option.

Program Details

1. The student enters a curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science degree designed by the four-year college that shall include the prerequisite course requirements as outlined below by the UTMB-MLS Program. The student successfully completes the biology, chemistry and general education courses outlined in the Combined MLS Plan in the articulation agreement.
2. Upon successful completion of the first 3 years at the originating institution and acceptance into the UTMB-CLS MLSB program, the student enters the combined 3+2 Bachelor of Science / Master of Science degree program at the bachelor's level. Upon successful completion of the first year at UTMB, the UTMB-MLS courses are transferred back to the originating institution and the student is awarded a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts from that institution.
3. The student continues their study at UTMB at the master's level. Following successful completion of the combined five-year curriculum at originating institution and UTMB, the student will be granted a Master of Science degree in MLS.

Admissions & Application Process

Application Deadline

• Fall semester : June 20th*

*All official documents must be received by AHCAS no later than July 1 to be considered for Fall entry.

Admission Requirements

Download: Admissions Self Appraisal Checklist (.docx)

• Have 60 semester credit hours of prerequisite course work (or be in the process of completing the prerequisite requirements). Application procedures may be initiated upon completion of 30 semester hours of college work.
• Present a minimum overall 3.0 GPA and a 3.0 GPA in science courses on a 4.0 scale.
  
• Submit three letters of recommendation. One letter of recommendation must be from your advisor at your college.
• International applicants will be considered. Applicants from non-English speaking countries must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score.

Applicants holding baccalaureate degrees in other fields may enroll in the Medical Laboratory Sciences curriculum and work toward a second baccalaureate degree, provided the prerequisites have been completed prior to matriculation.

With departmental approval, non-degree-seeking students may be enrolled in Medical Laboratory Sciences courses. Non-degree-seeking students who desire degree-seeking status must be competitive with other applicants. In addition to successfully fulfilling all other criteria in the application process, these students must have earned a minimum of "C" in all Medical Laboratory Sciences courses in which they have been enrolled.

Prerequisite Courses

To enter the MLS Program at UTMB, a student must complete a minimum of 60 semester credit hours of preparatory coursework. After the completion of approximately two years of medical laboratory education at UTMB, in addition to the 60 hours of prerequisites, the student graduates with a Bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences.

Interested individuals may request an exploratory meeting with the MLS admissions coordinator by emailing unofficial transcripts with your Name, Address and Phone number and the name of the program to the following email address CLS Admissions.

Prerequisite Courses

Note: scroll left to view full table on mobile devices.

Total Prerequisite Credit Hours: 36

1. Biology and chemistry science courses must be for science majors and include laboratories.
2. Anatomy and Physiology II or Human Physiology will be required to satisfy 3 hours of Physiology.
3. The mathematics course must be college algebra or higher.
4. Students are strongly encouraged to take courses in genetics and statistics to satisfy their elective prerequisites.
5. Up to 6 credit hours of prerequisites can be withstanding upon entry with the exception of Mathematics, Sciences, or English/Speech prerequisite courses and all need to be completed by the fall prior to graduation

A grade of 'C' or higher is required to satisfy any prerequisite.

Visit the Texas General Education Core Web Center for more information about core curriculum requirements for Texas institutions of higher education.

Application Process

To be considered for acceptance into the UTMB BSMLS Program, the applicant must:

1. Complete the application (submit online). You must also include the following items:
   1. the required application fee
   2. your signed and dated supporting statement
   3. if you are an ASCP certified MLT, please indicate this fact in your supporting statement
2. Send transcripts from all previously attended universities and colleges.
   1. Applicants are requested to have their transcripts sent to AHCAS.  Electronic submission greatly expedites processing and improves the accuracy of transcript evaluation.
   2. Provide foreign transcripts evaluation information, such as WES or ECE.
3. Include three (3) references* (name and email address) MUST be listed in the application prior to submission
4. Complete personal interviews with the faculty of the Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

* Reference letter forms should be completed by individuals who can evaluate your work and professional ethics, study habits, and classroom/laboratory outcomes. These individuals may include a faculty member, teaching assistant, or work supervisor. If you have volunteer experience in the field of health care, the volunteer coordinator who supervised your experience may be able to complete the form.

Additional Admission Information

• Admission to the professional phase of the program is determined by the CLS Admissions Committee. (Must meet the Technical Standards.)
• As a condition of admission, all matriculating students must complete a security background check, at cost to the student. Information will be sent to you about this background check after you are granted admission to the program.
• Classes begin in the Fall Term for on-campus students. Distance (MLT) students may begin the program in any semester, though not all courses are offered every semester.

International Students

Applicants whose tertiary-level education has been completed at international institutions in a non-English speaking country must meet the following requirements, in addition to providing the credentials for their prospective program:

• Take and score satisfactorily on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if the native language is not English. A minimum satisfactory score is a total of 550 for the TOEFL PBT (or a minimum score of 79 on the TOEFL iBT (internet based)) or 6.5 for IELTS; however, TOEFL or IELTS score requirements are one of the many criteria of a student's admission, and the requirement could vary based upon previous education, GPA, and related factors. Test of Spoken English is recommended for applicants to the BSMLS program
• Submit an acceptable English translation with the transcripts if the transcripts are not in English. If the degree is not indicated on transcript, a copy of the diploma and/or certificate issued by the school is required.

Please review a summary of the TOEFL Requirements for International Students. .

University Partners

Visit the links below to view each university's curriculum.

• University of Houston-Clear Lake
• St. Edwards University
• Texas A&M Galveston
• University of North Texas