Students complete a pre-professional curriculum (Pre-MLS) at UND. The pre-professional curriculum includes approximately 4 semesters of specific preparatory coursework for admission into the professional (BS-MLS) program. The professional program (BS-MLS) program is approximately five semesters in length and includes two semesters of preparatory coursework and three semesters in the final clinical year. The final clinical year of the professional curriculum is 37 credits and includes a 12 week on campus experience in the Summer semester, online coursework, and a 28 week clinical affiliation experience. Upon successful completion of all courses, the student receives a BS in MLS degree from the University of North Dakota.
Students enrolled in the certificate program have earned a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Prior to entering the final clinical year of the professional program the student must complete specific prerequisite courses. The final clinical year is the same as the traditional (2+2 track) and the Western College Alliance (3+1 track) student experience. The 4+1 student earns a certificate in Clinical Laboratory Science from UND upon successful completion of all courses. If the student wishes to earn a second baccalaureate degree in Clinical Laboratory Science from the University of North Dakota, he/she must also have completed coursework to meet the essential studies requirements.
Students in the 3+1 track are from affiliated universities of the collaborative WCAMLS. Students from the affiliated university complete their first three years at their home university and enroll in year two (final clinical year) of the UND’s clinical laboratory science professional curriculum which includes the Summer program on campus and the next Fall and Spring semesters at a UND MLS clinical affiliate.
Each of the affiliated colleges have aligned specific curriculum content in their first three years with UND’s MLS program The universities and colleges that do not offer the professional courses such as hematology, clinical immunology, or medical microbiology contract with the University of North Dakota to deliver these courses by distance learning. The laboratory component of hematology may be completed on the UND campus in a concentrated section prior to the beginning of the final clinical year. (Summer Program) of the UND professional program.
The MLS program is responsible for providing the year two(final clinical year) of the professional curriculum. After successfully completing the final year, students receive a B.S. degree from their home institution and a certificate from UND indicating they have successfully completed the NAACLS accredited MLS program.
Affiliation agreements between the University of North Dakota and the affiliated university or college describe in detail issues such as responsibilities of academic faculty, joint responsibilities, supervisory responsibilities for students, clinical teaching responsibilities, student professional liability coverage, student health and safety policies, provision for renewal and the termination clause.
Clinical Laboratory Technicians (CLT)/ Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT) from community and technical colleges follow a specific curriculum outlined by their UND advisor. Students enrolled in this program complete the 2+2 track as described above and after successful completion of the program receive a Bachelor of Science Degree in MLS from UND.
In a joint venture between Mayo Clinic and the University of North Dakota's Clinical Laboratory Science program, a unique MLS cohort program has been established. The program blends online MLS curriculum from UND with onsite intensive laboratory training sessions and clinical rotations at Mayo Clinic. The program has been developed for working professionals and is designed to be completed around work hours, with no outside travel required.
