Degree Requirements: 124 Credit Hours

See Core Curriculum  for required courses in Area A1 through Area E. 

Other Program Requirements

Traditional MLS Program Admission Criteria

Admission to Georgia Southern: 

All transfer credits must be evaluated by the Undergraduate Office of Admissions and posted on the Georgia Southern transcript upon official acceptance to the University. 

Admission to Georgia Southern University does not guarantee admission to the Medical Laboratory Science program. The department has a separate formal admissions process managed by the Allied Health Centralized Application Service (AHCAS). Cohorts start each Fall Semester. See the webpage for the AHCAS application process.

Admission is made on a space-available basis and is limited to the best-qualified students. Meeting admission criteria does not constitute acceptance into the program.

1. Completion of all core requirements for the major before the program start date. Exceptions may be made for students lacking the legislative requirement or HLPR 2000.
2. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. 
3. A grade of C or higher is required for all courses in Core Areas A, D, and F. 
4. A calculated GPA of 2.5 or greater in math and science courses found in Area A, D, and F. This calculated GPA includes all passed and failed attempts of a course with the exception of courses for which academic renewal has been approved. 
5. Students with outstanding admission requirements must provide proof of meeting the requirements to the program coordinator before the beginning of the admitted semester. Failure to do so will result in removal from the admitted list. 
6. Students who are dismissed from the program due to course failures may be considered for re-admission to the program after a period of 5 years. 

Special Requirements

Criminal Background Checks and Drug Testing. The Medical Laboratory Science Program’s clinical agencies may require criminal background checks and/or drug testing prior to acceptance of the student into clinical facilities. Students who do not pass the criminal background check and/ or drug test may be unable to attend clinical courses and, therefore, may be unable to complete their program of study. Any fees or costs associated with background checks and/or drug testing are the student’s responsibility.

Health and Insurance. Students are required to submit a complete health history form and evidence of health insurance, immunizations, and purchase liability (malpractice) insurance prior to participation in clinical practicum.

Progression Requirements

Students must earn a C or better in each course in the major field of study. If a student makes an F in any major field of study course, the student will be dismissed from the program with no readmission option. A student may repeat only one medical laboratory science course if they make a D. Students who must repeat a course may do so at the next offering, provided space is available. Students who fail to earn a C or better in a repeated medical laboratory science course or fail to earn a C in a subsequent medical laboratory science course will be dismissed from the program with no possibility of readmission.

Students must maintain an overall adjusted grade point average of 2.0 or higher. A student who falls below this will be placed on suspension from the program for one semester. If the student’s grade point average is not raised by the end of the next semester, the student will be dismissed from the program, and if readmission options are available, they will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Students must complete the Medical Laboratory Science program within three (3) consecutive academic years from the date of initial entry. Students who do not complete the program within this time limit must reapply for admission, meet current criteria for admission, and have their previous credits evaluated at the time of their subsequent admission. Students who are readmitted must meet course requirements in effect at the time of readmission. Students meeting the minimum requirements does not constitute acceptance into the program. Readmission is a programmatic decision based on space availability and faculty recommendation.

MLT to MLS Career Ladder Track and Online Fast Track Admission Criteria

Admission to Georgia Southern: 

All transfer credits must be evaluated by the Undergraduate Office of Admissions and posted on the Georgia Southern transcript upon official acceptance to the University. 

Admission to Georgia Southern University does not guarantee admission to the Medical Laboratory Science program. The department has a separate formal admissions process managed by the Allied Health Centralized Application Service (AHCAS). Cohorts start each Fall Semester. See the webpage for the AHCAS application process.

Admission is made on a space-available basis and is limited to the best-qualified students. Meeting admission criteria does not constitute acceptance into the program.

1. Completion of all core requirements for the major before the program start date. Exceptions may be made for students lacking the legislative requirement or HLPR 2000 .
2. A minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 2.5. 
3. A grade of C or higher is required for all courses in Core Areas A, D, and F. 
4. A calculated GPA of 2.5 or greater in math and science courses found in Area A, D, and F. This calculated GPA includes all passed and failed attempts of a course with the exception of courses for which academic renewal has been approved. 
5. Students with outstanding admission requirements must provide proof of meeting the requirements to the program coordinator before the beginning of the admitted semester. Failure to do so will result in removal from the admitted list. 
6. Students who are dismissed from the program due to course failures may be considered for re-admission to the program after a period of 5 years. 
7. Additional submission requirements for MLT to MLS applicants, include the following:
   • Documentation of MLT certification and
   • Laboratory letter of clinical support
8. Additional submission requirements for the Online Fast Track applicants, include the following:
   • Letter of Laboratory Support for clinicals
   • Proof of Bachelor of Science degree in biology, chemistry or related science field
   • Proof of South Carolina residency

Special Requirements

Health and Insurance. Students are required to submit a complete health history form and evidence of health insurance, immunizations, and purchase liability (malpractice) insurance prior to participation in clinical practicum.

Progression Requirements

Students must earn a C or better in each course in the major field of study. If a student makes an F in any major field of study course, the student will be dismissed from the program with no readmission option. A student may repeat only one medical laboratory science course if they make a D. Students who must repeat a course may do so at the next offering, provided space is available. Students who fail to earn a C or better in a repeated medical laboratory science course or fail to earn a C in a subsequent medical laboratory science course will be dismissed from the program with no possibility of readmission.

Students must maintain an overall adjusted grade point average of 2.0 or higher. A student who falls below this will be placed on suspension from the program for one semester. If the student’s grade point average is not raised by the end of the next semester, the student will be dismissed from the program, and if readmission options are available, they will be determined on a case-by-case basis. 

Students must complete the Medical Laboratory Science program within three (3) consecutive academic years from the date of initial entry. Students who do not complete the program within this time limit must reapply for admission, meet current criteria for admission, and have their previous credits evaluated at the time of their subsequent admission. Students who are readmitted must meet course requirements in effect at the time of readmission. Students meeting the minimum requirements does not constitute acceptance into the program. Readmission is a programmatic decision based on space availability and faculty recommendation.

Advisement

Undergraduate Academic Advisement at Georgia Southern is provided to all degree-seeking undergraduate students by professional advisors. Academic Advisors are located on all three Georgia Southern University campuses. Students are required to meet with their assigned Academic Advisor at least once a semester. For more information visit the Academic Advisement  catalog page.