How to Apply

Applications for the 2025-2026 Medical Laboratory Science program are accepted starting May 1, 2024, through Nov. 15, 2024. Interviews are scheduled to begin in October 2024.  Admissions is on a rolling basis and offers will be made starting in November. In order to be admitted to the Medical Laboratory Science program, the ideal candidate should have:

• Minimum GPA in chemistry and biological sciences of 2.75 or higher

• Minimum overall GPA of 2.75 or higher

• Personal interview, where applicant will be evaluated as to accountability, teamwork, time and resource management, self-confidence, communication and interpersonal skills, maturity and motivation for the field of medical laboratory science

• Transcript evaluation (performed by university/college program liaison/adviser and/or by the MLS program director)

In addition, applicants with a degree from a foreign university must have their transcripts evaluated for U.S. equivalency by World Education Services and much have completed at least 10 credits of coursework with English as the language of instruction.

The following curriculum prerequisites are suggested or required for admission into the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Penn State Health Milton S. Hershey Medical Center.

• A minimum of 90 semester hours of study in an accredited college or university completing college-specified courses to receive a bachelor’s degree.

• Completion of all courses prerequisite to the clinical rotation year as required, including:

  • Chemistry: Minimum 16 semester hours of courses acceptable to the major that encompass areas such as general chemistry, analytical chemistry and organic and/or biochemistry. Courses must include labs. Survey courses do not qualify as fulfillment of the chemistry prerequisites.

  • Biological sciences: Minimum 16 semester hours of courses acceptable to the major that encompass areas such as microbiology, immunology, anatomy/physiology and genetics. Highly recommended courses are applied/pathogenic microbiology and molecular biology. Cellular biology and biology seminar are suggested electives. Courses should include labs. Survey courses do not qualify as fulfillment of the biology prerequisites.

  • Mathematics: One course in college-level mathematics is required. Statistics is recommended.

  • Other: An introductory course in computer literacy is recommended.

• Applicants with a baccalaureate degree who completed minimum course requirements seven or more years before application must update their academic preparation by enrolling and completing courses, at the discretion of the program director, in microbiology, immunology, biochemistry and/or genetics with a grade B or better to ensure academic preparedness.

• Applicants with a degree from a foreign university must have their transcripts evaluated for U.S. equivalency (e.g., by World Education Services Inc., New York, NY). This evaluation will determine the applicant’s eligibility by assessing academic preparedness. The ability to communicate readily in English orally and in writing is an essential requirement for the program.

• All required pre-clinical medical laboratory science courses must be completed and the student must be eligible for a baccalaureate degree from a college/university or must currently hold a baccalaureate degree.