The MLS program offers a 4 + 1 curriculum plan. A student is eligible for this program if they have earned a B.S. or B.A. degree from a regionally accredited institution. If a student also meets the Essential Studies requirements established by UND, a 2nd Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science can be earned upon successful completion of the curriculum.

Before a student can complete the final clinical year of study (3 semesters of enrollment as a full-time undergraduate student) the following prerequisite courses must be completed:  

*contact academic advisor for a list of approved online course options
**online section offered directly by the UND MLS program

Admission Criteria:

Students must apply to the Medical Laboratory Science professional program. Acceptance to UND does not guarantee acceptance to the MLS program. For students applying to this route of study, the program application is available under Program Forms and Handbooks. Applications are due July 15 prior to the start of the summer practicum coursework.

Admission to the Final Clinical Year
Admission is on a competitive basis. Application to the professional program must meet the following criteria in order to be eligible to submit an application:

1. Cumulative GPA of 2.8 on a scale of 4.0.
2. No more than two repeated math, or science courses in the pre-professional curriculum. No more than one repeated MLS course in the pre-professional curriculum.
3. No more than one letter grade of D in any math or science course in the pre-professional curriculum.
4. No letter grade of D in any MLS course.
5. If a Clinical Laboratory Science ( MLS) student fails (earns a D or F grade) in any 300 level MLS course, the student will lose his/her full admission status and will be placed in the alternate list ranking for entrance into the upcoming summer session program.
6. The student must verify that they meet the essential functions required for entrance into the clinical curriculum of a program.
7. All transfer work must be submitted to the UND Office of the Registrar. Verification of completion of coursework must also be submitted to the student advisor if the transfer credits have not yet been placed on the official UND transcript .Transfer credit verification must be on the UND transcript by May 1st  prior to the entrance to the following summer session. If all transfer credits are not at UND by this date the student will lose full admission status and admission into the summer session.
8. The student must understand that a background study will be done by a professional agency, approved by the MLS program, at the cost to the student. The student must pass this background study to be allowed into a clinical affiliate site to complete the clinical affiliation portion of the curriculum and fulfill the requirements of earning a BS or certificate in MLS from UND.
9. Application must be made before July 15th. An application received after July 15th must petition for acceptance by the Department of Pathology Professional & Academic Standards Committee.
10. The Department of Pathology Professional and Academic Standards Committee may require an interview for admission.
11. Admission is on a competitive basis, the application will be scored on a numerical scale related to the following criteria: Overall GPA, prerequisite science GPA, repeated courses, number of credits completed, assessment of writing sample and scientific passage.
12. A completed application must be in the student’s file in the MLS program office.
13. Application and acceptance to the University of North Dakota is different than the application process of the MLS professional program. Acceptance (admission) to the University of North Dakota does not mean acceptance into the MLS professional program.

Upon successful completion of the required prerequisite coursework the 4 + 1 student advances to the second year of the professional program. The applicant must have a cumulative GPA of a least 2.8, and no more than one D in any math or science course. Exceptions for acceptance and continuance may be made by petitioning the Dept of Pathology Professional and Academic Standards Committee.

Final Year of Study Information

A summer practicum experience on the UND campus in Grand Forks, ND is required, followed by approximately seven months in a clinical laboratory at an afflilated MLS clinical affiliate which occurs during the academic terms of Fall and Spring semester.

There are special requirements prior to contact with patients and testing of patient specimens. The UND MLS program requires all students enrolled in the final year of study complete a UND School of Medicine approved background check prior to work with patients. All clinical affiliates require specific immunizations and testing to be completed (or a signed liability waiver) before entrance to the medical facility. Students are responsible for additional costs (above the cost of academic tutition and fees) that include: travel, housing, food, and summer lab course fees during the second year of the professional curriculum. The program has clinical affiliation agreements with over 70 medical centers in Arizone, North Dakota, Minnesota, Montana, Colorado, South Dakota, Oklahoma and Oregon for the clinical experience.

A complete list and description of the current clinical sites is available at this web site. Upon completion of the 4 + 1 program the student will be eligible to take a national certification examination and become a certified Clinical Laboratory Scientist and/or Medical Technologist. The student receives a certificate. in Clinical Laboratory Science from UND upon successful completion of the program of study.

The MLS program reserves the right to place on probation or to cancel the registration of any student whose performance in the classroom or clinical experience is unsatisfactory. Program accommodations for qualified handicapped persons will be reviewed upon notification of a prospective student's needs and limitations.

Curriculum (Final 3 semesters of study)

The total number of courses is: 22
Total number of academic credits is: 37

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