Medical Laboratory Science Program (MLS)
Medical Laboratory Certification
Medical Laboratory Science is the study of clinical laboratory testing to detect, diagnose, monitor and treat disease. Medical laboratory scientists exercise a range of skills that make for a successful lab, analyzing human blood, tissues and body fluids. An estimated 85% of all diagnostic medical decisions are based on results produced by clinical laboratory testing. The Medical Laboratory Science program is a 12-month program that prepares graduates to be a successful entry-level medical laboratory scientist. Didactic lectures and student laboratory training take place at the college, with clinical experiences conducted in the laboratories of Atrium Health.
Today, there's a huge demand for well-trained medical laboratory scientists. Many of our students step right into jobs after graduation, often with Atrium Health.
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Become a Medical Lab Scientist
- 12-month, 3-semester program for applicants who have a bachelor's degree
- Start date in either January or August
- Learn through a combination of classroom lectures and hands-on lab training within state-of-the-art Atrium Health facilities
- Receive guidance from experienced faculty members
- Take advantage of our small class sizes
- Become certified - we often see 100% of our students pass on their first attempt of the national certification exam
Medical Laboratory Science Program at Carolinas College
Curriculum
Didactic lectures and student laboratory training take place at the college, with clinical experiences conducted in the laboratories of Atrium Health. Curriculum includes courses in chemistry, microbiology and immunology. 44 total credits required for completion. For full curriculum details, download the viewbook below.
Download ViewbookBiology Degree Partnership with Winthrop University
A new partnership between Carolinas College of Health Sciences and Winthrop University in Rock Hill, SC will allow biology students completing their undergraduate studies at Winthrop to also complete a medical laboratory science (MLS) certification at Carolinas College.
The Winthrop biology students spend their first three years taking general, introductory and advanced biology classes. They’ll spend their final year at Carolinas College in order to complete the MLS certification.
“Our partnership with Winthrop is the gateway to educating future medical laboratory scientists a year sooner, with the hope to expand our partnership with other healthcare program offerings, thus, working together for the common cause of fulfilling workforce needs in our regions of upstate South Carolina and the greater Charlotte area in North Carolina,” said Melissa Jackson, program chair of Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Learn MoreTuition & Fees
$10,456 (tuition only)
Loan Forgiveness
Atrium Health offers a loan agreement available to finance up to $5,000 for students enrolled in the Medical Laboratory Science program. This loan defers payment on principal and interest, and if the graduate becomes employed full-time by an eligible Atrium Health facility, a work forgiveness option is available. Questions? Call 704-355-5486.
Application Requirements
- Application – Submit your completed application
- College Transcripts – A minimum 2.5 cumulative college GPA and a minimum 2.5 math/science GPA are required
- Baccalaureate Degree – Bachelor's degree required (BA or BS)
- Minimum 16 semester hours in biology, including microbiology with a lab and immunology
- 16 semester hours in chemistry, including organic chemistry or biochemistry
- 3 semester hours in statistics (one course)
- Microbiology, immunology and organic chemistry (or biochemistry) must be updated if not completed within the last seven years
- Two sealed and completed Carolinas College references using this form
- Applicants are required to come in for an on-site interview with program faculty before being notified of a decision
Deadlines
- Rolling Admissions – classes offered as space is available
- Notification within 4 weeks after completing your application
- Start date in either January or August
Ehsan Khodapasand, MLS alumni
Ehsan studied biology in his home country of Iran, earning both a bachelor’s and master’s degree before going to work in different labs. After moving to the United States in 2016, Ehsan wanted to continue his education. “I knew from the beginning that I would pursue what I started back home because I really enjoy doing it,” he says. “What brought me to Carolinas College was the warm and friendly environment, the awesome instructors and impressive statistics. Atrium Health, and specifically Carolinas College, have been a great place to build my future in the U.S. and provide a life for me and my wife."