There are two paths to admission into the UT Medical Center Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program, one for students currently in a bachelor’s program and one for students who already have a baccalaureate or higher degree.
Undergraduate Students
The 3 + 1 program involves 3 years (91 credit hours) of study in the University of Tennessee College of Arts and Sciences, plus 50 weeks of training in medical laboratory science at The University of Tennessee Medical Center.
Students who fulfill all requirements of the university and the MLS program will receive a Bachelor of Science degree with a major in medical laboratory science.
Download the University of Tennessee medical laboratory science undergraduate program description and background requirements.
Students With a Baccalaureate Degree
A 4+1 option is available to graduates who have a baccalaureate degree in a biological, chemical, or physical science field. The applicant must have completed 16 semester hours of biology (including a microbiology course with a laboratory, immunology, and anatomy/physiology), 16 semester hours of chemistry (including general chemistry and either organic or biochemistry) and 3 semester hours of math at a level of college algebra or higher.
Download 4 + 1 student requirements
Regardless of the entry route into the program, students must complete all required preparatory coursework with a grade of “C” (not “C-“) or higher prior to beginning the MLS program.
Application Information
Admission into the program is competitive. Meeting the minimum criteria or being admitted into the University of Tennessee does not guarantee admission into the program.
To be considered for admission into the program beginning in January, all application materials, along with a $25 nonrefundable application fee, must be received in the UT Medical Center MLS Program Office by May 15 of the previous year. Applicants meeting the admission requirements will be invited to interview with the Admissions Committee. All interviews are completed by June 30. Students are notified of their admission status by July 15.
University of Tennessee 3+1 students must complete all prerequisite requirements as specified by the university. In addition, they must fulfill all UT graduation requirements to qualify for a B.S. degree upon completion of the MLS certificate program at UT Medical Center.
4 + 1 students are eligible to apply if they have completed or will have completed a B.A. or B.S. in a biological, chemical, or physical science before the program begins, and meet all academic prerequisite requirements of the program.
Selection Process
Following the May 15 application deadline, the Admissions Committee reviews all applications. The program director schedules all qualified applicants for interviews with the committee. The Admissions Committee considers the following criteria when reviewing applications and selecting the class:
- Cumulative and Science GPA
- Type and difficulty of courses taken
- Courses taken that are not required but are recommended
- Work experience, especially in a healthcare field
- Volunteer and extra-curricular activities in healthcare-related fields
- Letters of recommendation
- Essay
- Interview
- Knowledge of and familiarity with the profession
- Commitment to the profession
Acceptance letters are sent by July 15. Each student accepted into the program must accept or decline the offered position in writing by July 31, accompanied by a nonrefundable $250 admissions fee to secure his or her position in the program. Application eligibility does not guarantee acceptance.
Application Packet
The following is the application packet for the Medical Laboratory Science program. 4 + 1 students are eligible to apply if they have completed or will have completed a B.A. or B.S. in science before the program begins, and meet all academic prerequisite requirements of the program.