LMU Medical Laboratory Science Program Expanding with Online Offering
The Lincoln Memorial University (LMU) Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program is now accepting applications for online class offerings beginning in January 2022 with clinical hubs in Knoxville, Chattanooga, and the Tri-Cities.
“The timing of this could not be better,” said Dr. Michael Stephens, dean for the LMU-School of Medical Sciences (LMU-SMS). “We face a critical shortage of medical laboratory scientists in health care at this time and this flexible option may make the degree more attainable for some.”
LMU’s MLS program boasts 25 consecutive classes of 100%, first-attempt pass rate on the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) Exam with both categorical and composite scores that far surpass the national average for university-based National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredited programs. Twenty-five consecutive classes have also achieved a 100% employment rate for graduates who usually have a choice of several job offers.
“The career field is set for tremendous growth, and this expansion will allow LMU to meet that demand,” said Dr. Bill Engle, MLS program director. “With online classes and expanded clinical sites, LMU is able to offer this program to students in a variety of geographic locations.”
For both seated and online programs, the MLS curriculum consists of 42 credit hours of major requirements designed to be completed in four semesters. The General Education prerequisites do not have to be completed before entering the program. To apply for the MLS program, students must first be accepted to LMU. A Medical Laboratory Science degree demonstrates professional competency in the clinical laboratory science field, including but not limited to hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, urinalysis, immunology/serology, and laboratory management.
Medical Laboratory Science is a health care career that combines modern laboratory science with medical care. Tests performed in medical laboratories by medical laboratory scientists, formally called medical technologists, assist physicians in both the diagnosis and treatment of pathological conditions. Medical laboratory scientists perform and interpret a wide variety of tests, ranging from simple blood glucose tests to advanced molecular assays. Areas of the modern medical laboratory include hematology, immunohematology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, urinalysis, immunology/serology, and laboratory management.
According to a recent survey published by the American Journal of Clinical Pathology, baccalaureate degreed medical laboratory scientists across the nation earn on average $68,240 /year for the staff positions, $74,769 for lead positions, and $84,268 for supervisory positions. (Please see Table 5: Average Annual Wages by Occupational Title and Job Level Designation at the following link: https://academic.oup.com/ajcp/article/155/5/649/5987744)
Students at the sophomore level and above can apply for admission to the MLS program at https://www.lmunet.edu/school-of-medical-sciences/documents/Application.Form.Med.Lab.Science.pdf . For more information on the program or how to apply, please contact Engle at Billy.Engle@LMUnet.edu or call 423-869-6471.
Lincoln Memorial University is a values-based learning community dedicated to providing educational experiences in the liberal arts and professional studies. The main campus is located in Harrogate, Tennessee. For more information about the undergraduate and graduate programs available at LMU, contact the Office of Admissions at 423-869-6280 or email at admissions@LMUnet.edu.