Bachelor of Science Degree

The Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences requires two and one-half pre-professional years in college followed by a four-semester MLS-specific curriculum that includes a one-semester clinical rotation experience at an affiliated clinical site. The affiliated clinical sites are located within and outside of Albuquerque. The department has a process for articulation with accredited Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) programs, which provides career mobility for the associate degree-level technician. Students completing the MLS program are eligible to take the ASCP Board of Certification Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) exam.

Bachelor of Science Program Goals

1. Knowledge: Students will develop a basic level of comprehension in Medical Laboratory Sciences necessary for the performance of analytical procedures used in testing normal and abnormal constituents in blood and body fluid samples.
2. Laboratory Skills: The student will demonstrate accuracy and precision in performing laboratory tests while correlating the practical application of principles in laboratory testing.
3. Diagnostic Ability: The student will demonstrate knowledge of physiologic and pathophysiologic states of various body fluids as it relates to laboratory findings in health and disease.
4. Communication Skills: The program will provide the student with the fundamentals for communication as a member of the medical profession and for managerial and educational roles in the clinical laboratory.
5. Professionalism and Ethics: The program will provide the opportunity for the student to develop an awareness of accountability for the quality and integrity of lab services they will provide as a health professional.

Degree Curriculum

Our BS MLS curriculum provides students with a comprehensive education that includes didactic and laboratory courses in areas such as hematology, immunohematology, chemistry, and microbiology. Campus attendance is required. Students will also gain the required practical clinical experience at one of our affiliated clinical sites.

The MLS program has two start dates, either in the spring or fall semester. Each MLS course is offered once per year, with the exception of clinical rotation courses which are offered in fall and spring.

All courses listed for spring, summer, and fall semesters must be completed successfully before starting the Clinical Rotation courses.

View the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences (BS MLS) Curriculum (pdf)

View the Medical Laboratory Sciences Suggested Degree Plan (pdf)

Affiliated Clinical Sites

All students in the UNM Medical Laboratory Sciences Program are assigned to an affiliated clinical site where they will complete their practical clinical education. View the program’s affiliated clinical sites (pdf)

Admission Requirements

Students pursuing admission into the Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program are required to satisfy all the admission requirements outlined below.

Additional information can be found in the Student Policy Manual (pdf).

All students considering admission to the MLS program must:

1. Contact the MLS program advisor prior to applying
2. Meet all prerequisite course and GPA requirements
3. Meet the essential function requirements of the academic program and of the corresponding MLS profession
4. Submit the MLS Program application and Letters of Recommendation
5. Demonstrate communication skills during an interview
6. Demonstrate understanding, compliance, and ability to perform a task