MLS Certification
The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offers several types of certification for laboratory professionals based on their desired path and previous experience. Completion of the SIUE Bachelor of Liberal Studies Medical Technology program meets the educational and professional experience requirements for Route 2 according to ASCP. Completing the requirements results in eligibility to sit for the general MLS exam or an exam for a specialized area as described below.
To Sit For the General MLS Exam
- Current ASCP MLT Certification. Verified by SIUE with your employer through portfolio submission;
- A Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, including 16 semester hours of Biological Science (with one semester in Microbiology), and 16 semester hours of Chemistry (with one semester in Organic or Biochemistry);
- Two years of full time clinical laboratory experience showing proficiency in all of the following areas: blood banking, chemistry, hematology, histotechnology, microbiology, immunology and urinalysis/body fluids
To Sit For an Exam in a Specialized Area:
- Current ASCP MLT Certification verified by SIUE with your employer through portfolio submission;
- A Baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college/university, including 30 combined semester hours of Biological Science and Chemistry;
- Blood banking
- Chemistry
- Hematology
- Histotechnology
- Microbiology
- Immunology and urinalysis/bodily fluids
* Lab experience must be completed in the U.S., Canada, or a regionally accredited laboratory and within the last four years*
Clinical Experience
The ASCP provides work experience documentation forms that are used to identify the competencies required to exemplify proficiency in each clinical laboratory area. Partnering employers have agreed to provide additional opportunities for laboratory experience within their hospital systems for students in this program who do not have two years of experience. Hospital lab administrators will manage work experience documentation forms for students as they show proficiency in the tasks and procedures of the required areas.
Work Experience Documentation Forms
Portfolio Requirements
To prepare eligible students to sit for the exam, all program participants must submit a portfolio by the end of their second semester in the program. The portfolio must contain the following:
- Current resume detailing your education and clinical laboratory experience
- Written statement of career goals, including intended certification pathway
- MLS work experience documentation form
