Undergraduate Degree Programs

First Degree

Texas State University offers a four-year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, (773) 714-8880. Graduates are eligible to take the certification examination as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) of the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT) as well at others (such as  AAB).

The prerequisite requirements during the first two years of study include courses in biology, chemistry and mathematics, along with courses in the humanities and social and behavioral sciences. The junior and senior years combine clinical experiences in the affiliated clinical laboratories with advanced academic study in the CLS disciplines.

Students must complete the following five prerequisite courses prior to submitting the MLS application: BIO 1330/1130, BIO 1331/1131, CHEM 1341/1141, CHEM 1342/1142, and the mathematics course. Students may only have a maximum of the nine remaining prerequisite hours, with no remaining credit hours in prerequisite science and mathematics courses prior to beginning the CLS Program. While students are encouraged to complete all prerequisite courses prior to admission, the MLS course sequence only offers 10 hours in the first fall semester and 11 hours in the first spring semester. Thus, students requiring 12 hours for full-time status in the first year of our program will need to save two liberal arts courses to meet this 12-hour requirement. Financial aid will only pay for classes required to get the MLS degree. Please contact the College of Health Professions Advising Office (512-245-3506) or Financial Aid office if you have questions.

Since class size is limited due to the availability of space in the clinical affiliates, admission to the MLS Program is competitive and not guaranteed.

Second Degree

Students with a baccalaureate degree may start the MLS course sequence in the program if they have been accepted into the program and completed the prerequisite courses identified by our accrediting organization. These include twelve (12) semester hours of chemistry, including organic chemistry and twelve (12) semester hours of biological science, including a course in microbiology. The organic chemistry/biochemistry and microbiology courses must have been taken within the past six years. Post-baccalaureate students will take the two year sequence of professional courses along with any other prerequisite courses which they might not have completed in their first degree.   

All Students

Proceed through the MLS Admissions Module to begin the admissions process or get more information.