An applicant to the Mercy Hospital Joplin Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program must initially meet one of the following criteria:
- Completion of a baccalaureate degree or higher prior to the start of the program
- Current enrollment in one of the program’s academic affiliates and eligible for a baccalaureate degree, from the respective university, upon successful completion of the MLS program
The MLS program is affiliated with:
- Missouri Southern State University, Joplin, MO
- Pittsburg State University, Pittsburg, KS
- Missouri State University, Springfield, MO
- Southeast Missouri State University, Cape Girardeau, MO
- University of Central Missouri, Warrensburg, MO
- Lincoln University, Jefferson City, MO
- Arkansas Tech University
- Missouri S and T
Note: A non-degreed, non-affiliated applicant may be considered if space is available and the individual’s respective college or university agrees to certain terms of cooperation. The program director can provide further details.
Additional criteria for application includes:
- A minimum science grade point average of 2.5 based on a 4.0 scale
- Residence in the local area (SW Missouri/SE Kansas/NE Oklahoma), attendance at an area college or university or moving to the area prior to the start of the program
- Completion of the following minimum prerequisite coursework*/**/***
- Minimum of sixteen (16) semester hours in Chemistry
- A biochemistry or organic chemistry course must be included. (A biochemistry course is highly recommended.)
- Minimum of sixteen (16) semester hours in Biology
- A microbiology course, with a laboratory experience, must be included.
- An immunology course must be included.
- Completion of at least one course in mathematics above the remedial level
* The content of the prerequisite chemistry and biology courses must be considered applicable towards a major in either of those degree fields or a major in medical laboratory science/medical technology.
** An applicant who has completed a baccalaureate degree and prerequisite coursework more than seven years prior to application must demonstrate current knowledge in chemistry and biology especially microbiology. This can be done by work experience or additional coursework. Please contact the program director for further details.
*** Prerequisite coursework can be taken at a university or college as a non-degree seeking student if an individual’s degree has been previously awarded but all coursework must be completed prior to the start of the program if the applicant is selected for admission to the program.
An applicant who has obtained a degree outside of the United States must also meet the following criteria:
- Possess the appropriate immigration status and form(s) to study in the United States and complete the MLS program.
Neither admission to nor successful completion of the MLS program guarantees an offer of employment with Mercy. Mercy does not currently sponsor immigration visas for employment in medical laboratory positions. Any applicant who cannot legally be employed without such sponsorship at the time of application for a position within Mercy, will not be considered for employment.
Submit a transcript evaluation performed by an approved transcript evaluation service. The program director can provide a listing of approved agencies.
This can be a lengthy process and should be initiated before applying to the MLS program.
A course by course report, listing the United States equivalency for each credential and United States semester credits and grades for each course, is required. The completed evaluation should be sent directly to the program director.
Resources
The application, letter of explanation, reference letter and degree confirmation are available via the links provided below. The deadline for the completed application is November 1 for the July class and August 1 for the January class.
Viable applicants are invited for a personal interview with the program’s admissions committee. The interview process takes about one hour.
Admission to the MLS program is on a competitive basis. The MLS program’s admissions committee evaluates each applicant based on academic and non-academic criteria such as science and math GPA, work experience, references, and personal interview. Up to four students are selected for each incoming class.
Selected students, alternates and others are notified by the end of December for the July class and by the end of August for the January class.
