Pictured | Moses Saidi | MLT, Malamulo College of Health Sciences (Makwasa Malawi) | Clinical Laboratory Science | Blantyre, Malawi (hometown)
Club Affiliation | International Students Club

Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science, MLT to CLS Completion

The Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) to Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) route offers the opportunity for a trained MLT to earn a Bachelor of Science in CLS. This track is open to individuals who have an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and/or are a certified MLT through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASC) or equivalent certifying agency.

Students are able to complete required courses at their own pace while attending to their work and personal life commitments. The required coursework provides students with a solid educational background through completion of the Campuswide General Education curriculum, foundational science courses, and advanced courses in the CLS curriculum. Students also have the ability to attend a specialized clinical rotation, if desired. 

All other students should refer to the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science.

Program Outcomes

In order to fulfill the requirements of a Clinical Laboratory Science, MLT to CLS Completion Track, graduates will:

• Synthesize the fundamental biological sciences necessary for integration into clinical laboratory diagnostics.
• Have entry-level professional knowledge in the most common areas of the clinical lab, including Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Urinalyses, Clinical Microbiology, Immunology, and Blood banking.
• Understand the professional, ethical, and practical responsibilities of laboratorians in the interdisciplinary health care team.
• Be prepared to sit for the national certification exam offered through the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) or an equivalent certifying agency.

NAACLS Accreditation 

The IU South Bend Clinical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), which allows all students who graduate from this program to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) MLS certification exam and/or the American Medical Technology (AMT) Medical Technologist certification exam. 

Academic Advising

College policy on advising requires that students meet with their academic advisors at least once each year, and in some departments, prior to each semester enrollment. Students with a declared major are advised in their academic units. To determine who your advisor is and how to contact them, see One.IU.

Degree Requirements (63cr.)

Degree Map >>

Students receiving the Bachelor of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science, through the MLT to CLS completion track, must have a total of 120 credit hours between courses completed at IU South Bend and transfer credits. The student must successfully complete 30 credit hours of 300–level or above at the IU South Bend campus.

Students who have completed an Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) will automatically have 46 credits transfer toward the 120 credit requirement in recognition of completing an MLT curriculum.

• Campuswide General Education Curriculum to include (18 cr.)

• ENG-W 131 Reading, Writing, and Inquiry I
  fulfills the Fundamental Literacies: Writing requirement 
• SPCH-S 121 Public Speaking
  fulfills the Fundamental Literacies: Oral Communication | requirement 

• Science Requirements (26 cr.)
• Major Requirements (15-17 cr.)
• Additional Requirements

• All courses are 3 credit hours, unless otherwise noted.

Science Requirements (26 cr.)

• BIOL-L 101 Introduction to Biological Sciences 1 (5 cr.)
• BIOL-L 102 Introduction to Biological Sciences 2 (5 cr.)
• BIOL-L 211 Molecular Biology
• 3-credit 300–level or above Biology course
• CHEM-C 105 Principles of Chemistry I
• CHEM-C 106 Principles of Chemistry II
• CHEM-C 125 Experimental Chemistry I (2 cr.)
• CHEM-C 126 Experimental Chemistry II (2 cr.)

Major Requirements (15-17 cr.)

• CLS-B 399 Human Behavior and Social Institutions
  VT: Clinical Laboratory Management
• CLS-C 415 Clinical Molecular Diagnostics and Special Chemistry
• CLS-C 417 Advanced Hematology and Cancer
• CLS-E 406 Supplemental Externship (1-2 cr.) (credit hours pending approval)
• CLS-I 411 Clinical Immunodiagnostics
• CLS-M 413 Advanced Clinical Microbiology

Additional Requirements

• Additional 300–level (or above) courses to fulfill the 30 credit hours requirement
• Additional courses to fulfill the 120 credit hour degree requirement. Courses may be completed at IU South Bend, or transferred in