Requirements

Medical Laboratory Science students compare notes in the School of Health Professions student lounge.

The Bachelor of Science/Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program is an educational experience that challenges and motivate students. To meet student expectations and satisfy accreditation requirements, our students are exceptionally well prepared. Admissions requirements for the Bachelor of Science/PBC in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program vary by the program.

Bachelor of Science Requirements

Here are the steps our students take to be considered:

• Complete a minimum of 64 semester hours of college credit, not including physical education and military science courses.
• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in natural sciences and mathematics courses.
• Complete organic chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology no more than seven years before admission.
• Complete and submit an online application.
• Submit three letters of recommendation. (We recommend letters from undergraduate advisors, instructors or professors, employers, or volunteer supervisors.)
• Complete an on-campus interview.
• Submit your TOEFL scores if you’re an international student.
• Complete the following prerequisite courses.

Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Requirements

Here are the steps our students take to be considered:

• Complete a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
• Earn a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale in natural sciences and mathematics courses.
• Complete organic chemistry, microbiology, and anatomy and physiology no more than seven years before admission.
• Complete and submit an online application.
• Submit three letters of recommendation. (We recommend letters from undergraduate advisors, instructors or professors, employers or volunteer supervisors.)
• Complete an on-campus interview
• Submit TOEFL scores if you’re an international student.
• Complete the following prerequisite courses.

Essential Functions

Every student at UT Southwestern School of Health Professions, including people with disabilities, must be able to perform specific essential functions, which differ depending upon the academic program. Essential functions are the basic activities that a student must be able to perform to complete the program’s curriculum. Applicants who cannot perform the program’s essential functions—either with or without reasonable accommodations—may not be considered for admission.

Each School of Health Professions student must be able to:

• Attend scheduled classes and laboratory sessions and be present for examination and testing.
• Travel to practicum sites and have mobility within and around the sites.
• Assimilate information presented via lecture, handouts, videos, discussions, computer, and/or other educational modalities.
• Complete assignments such as written assignments, oral presentations, class participation, examinations, and computer-based activities.
• Apply the assimilated information to appropriate clinical situations.
• Effectively communicate with patients/clients, their families, faculty, and other professionals using oral, telephonic, written, and computer modalities in private and group settings.
• Make effective use of learning resources at UT Southwestern and affiliated facilities.

In addition to essential functions for all students, each student in the Bachelor of Science/Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Medical Laboratory Sciences Program must be able to:

• Observe laboratory demonstrations in which lab procedures are performed on biological specimens (i.e., body fluids, culture materials, tissue sections, and cellular specimens.
• Functionally use the senses of smell, vision, and somatic sensation to characterize and describe orally and in writing the color, consistency, and clarity of biological specimens and reagents.
• Use a clinical-grade binocular microscope to discriminate among fine differences in structure and color (hue, shading, and intensity) in microscopic specimens.
• Perform moderately taxing, continuous physical work, often requiring prolonged sitting and/or standing, over several hours.
• Grasp, hold, transport, and utilize specimens, reagents, hazardous chemicals, and equipment of varying sizes in a safe manner as needed to perform laboratory testing.
• Use laboratory equipment (e.g., pipettes, innoculating loops, test tubes) and instruments to perform laboratory procedures according to established laboratory guidelines.
• Demonstrate critical thinking and judgment skills appropriate to a given situation.
• Demonstrate professional demeanor and behavior and perform activities in an ethical manner in all dealings with peers, faculty, staff, and clients.
• Treat all clients equally without regard to ethnicity, race, gender, religion, or any other attribute.
• Demonstrate the emotional health required to use fully his or her intellectual ability, such as exercising good judgment, promptly completing all responsibilities required by the program, and being able to develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships.
• Tolerate demanding workloads, function effectively under stress, and be able to adapt to changing environments, display flexibility, accept appropriate criticism, and alter performance if necessary.
• Demonstrate the professional demeanor and behaviors required to uphold standards of ethics, compassion, honesty and responsibility. This applies to the student’s responsibility, as well as others’, to be forthright concerning possible errors, to evaluate behaviors, and to improve or help others to improve.