FAQ’s – Medical Laboratory Science
What do I need to get into the program?
Our program is a 2 + 2 program with the first two years being spent on the WVU Main campus
completing pre-requisite course work. After successful application to the program, students
spend the remaining two years at the Health Sciences Center in lectures and student laboratory
experience and clinical experience at one of the program’s affiliated laboratories. Select
students may be admitted directly to the program beginning with the freshman year. There are
two areas of specialization or emphasis: Clinical Laboratory Science and Histotechnology.
What are the pre-requisites courses?
The following courses must be completed prior to admission to the program:
WVU Course
ENGL 101
ENGL 102
BIOL 101/103
BIOL 102/104
CHEM 115
CHEM 116
*CHEM 233 & 235
*CHEM 234 & 236
MATH 126 or higher
STATS 211
**General Education Curriculum
Credits
3
3
4
4
4
4
4
4
3
3
22-23
Course Title
English I
English II
Biology I & Lab
Biology II & Lab
Inorganic Chemistry I & Lab
Inorganic Chemistry II & Lab
Organic Chemistry I & Lab
Organic Chemistry II & Lab
College Algebra
Elementary Statistical Inference
GEC 3 – 9
*CHEM 231 Organic Chemistry: Brief Course may be substituted for CHEM 233/235 and CHEM
234/236, however two semesters of organic chemistry are strongly recommended to better
prepare for the professional curriculum.
Transfer students and students interested in attending medical school must take 8 hours of
organic chemistry and lab (CHEM 233, 235, 234, and 235).
** Please note that beginning with the fall of 2016, these requirements will be changing to
General Education Foundations. Visit the Registrar’s home page for complete lists:
http://registrar.wvu.edu/current_students/general_education_curriculum.
What else do I need?
All applicants must meet the following criteria:
 50-51 credit hours of pre-requisite and general education requirements (listed above).
 Minimum cumulative and science GPA of 2.5.
 Completion of an application which is available from December 1 – March 15.
 Two letters of recommendations; at least one from a college professor
 An interview
How many students are admitted?
Admission into the program is competitive and a limited number of students are admitted each
year. Typically 25 students are admitted into the Clinical Laboratory Science Area of Emphasis
and 5 are admitted into Histotechnology.
What do I need for direct admit as a freshman?
To be eligible for direct admit, you must meet the following criteria:
 A high school GPA of 3.75
 A minimum math component ACT score of 26 or a minimum math component SAT score
of 600.
What are my career options?
Clinical Laboratory Scientists have many choices for practice: in hospitals, physician’s office
laboratories and reference laboratories. They can work in each of the major areas of the clinical
laboratory: blood banking, chemistry, hematology, immunology, and microbiology. In medical
manufacturing and supply companies, clinical laboratory scientists develop, market, and sell
products; conduct research; and monitor quality assurance. Additionally, graduates of the WVU
Division of Medical Laboratory Science have the professional competence to work in public
health, forensic, research, veterinary, and fertility laboratories.
Histotechnologists have opportunities in hospital, clinic, public health or private laboratories;
pharmaceutical, research, veterinary or marine laboratories; product development companies of
laboratory computer systems, supplies, equipment or media; technical service representative for
companies selling laboratory equipment and supplies; sales of laboratory equipment and
supplies or state or national forensic labs. Graduates from the program have the skill and
education to pursue higher level job positions, such as management.
Can I go to Medical school, graduate or other professional schools with this degree?
A degree in medical laboratory science from WVU is an excellent preparation for graduate
school in the medical or dental professions or in the basic sciences.