Medical Laboratory Science Educational Program

Sanford Health Program for Medical Laboratory Science academic acceptance policy assumes that an intern candidate has successfully completed the preclinical curriculum as proscribed by their respective academic institution. Minimum requirements for acceptance into the Sanford Program include anatomy and physiology, immunology, organic/biochemistry, genetic/molecular biology, microbiology as well as a GPA of 2.8 (on a scale of 0-4.0) or higher and a scientific GPA of 3.0 or higher. Acceptance into the internship is granted during the fall semester of the year prior to the internship. Sanford Health for Medical Laboratory Science reserves the right to deny a student enrollment or participation in the training program if the required or recommended coursework is not completed or if individual grades are below a “C” (2.0) level after the student has been accepted into the program.

Successful completion of the program, and the award of certification depend on a passing grade of at least a 70% out of 100% on departmental lecture, practical material, student presentations and comprehensive exams. The educational degree is awarded through the students’ academic institution. A fully graded internship transcript is sent to the students’ affiliate university to become part of the students’ institutional permanent record. At this point graduates are eligible to take a national certification exam. Upon successfully passing the national certification exam, they are then eligible for licensure or additional testing that may be required by individual states.

The Sanford Program for Medical Laboratory Science accepts a maximum of 10 students per school year. Students start in July and complete the program the following May. Applications are due by October 10th of the year prior to the program start date. Application packages include: resume, interest statement, three professional references, transcripts, and verification of essential requirements. Application materials are available through our clinical affiliate institutions: North Dakota State University, Concordia University, and St. Cloud State University. Interviews typically take place the end of October and applicants are notified in November of placement status.

For more information on the application process, please contact the program representative.

Didactic Lecture
Didactic lectures take place Monday-Thursday from 1:15pm-3:30pm each day. Students are responsible for providing transportation to lecture site locations.

Clinical Rotations
Clinical rotations take place Monday-Friday. These rotations begin at 7 a.m. with some start time adjustments for specific rotations. Students are informed of adjusted start times when applicable. Students spend at least 9 weeks in each of the following departments: Chemistry, Microbiology, Hematology, and Immunohematology. Bench rotations are provided at the following sites; Sanford Broadway Clinic, Amber Valley Laboratory, Sanford Medical Center Fargo, Sanford South Pointe Clinic and Sanford Moorhead Clinic.

The following policies and documents are available upon request:

• Essential Requirements
• Clinical Curriculum Synopsis and Couse Descriptions
• General Student Policy
• Grievance and Appeals Policy
• Program Description
• Requirements for Successful Completion of the Program
• Application and Admission Requirements
• Student Conduct and Disciplinary Action
• Address list of clinical facilities
• Complete list of education faculty within the program

Beth Jones, MLS (ASCP)^CM 
Program Manager
Sanford Health Fargo
Phone: (701) 234-2877

The majority of students enrolled in the program are college seniors on affiliation from their respective colleges to complete the requirements for a medical laboratory science baccalaureate degree. Other students are those who have obtained a baccalaureate degree prior to entry. Graduates of this program are eligible to take national certifying examinations, including those of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification.

The Sanford Medical Laboratory Science Program requires that each candidate has successfully completed the preclinical curriculum as proscribed by their respective academic institution prior to program start.

The minimal pre-clinical course and credit requirements by the program are:

• 16 semester hours of chemistry. This includes organic and/or biological chemistry.
• 16 semester hours of biological sciences to include anatomy and physiology, microbiology with a lab, immunology (2 credit min.), as well as genetics and/or molecular biology is required.
• One course of college level mathematics, and statistics.

Applicants must have a minimum cumulative and scientific grade point average (GPA) of 2.80 (on a scale of 0-4.0). Applicants with GPA's below 2.80 may submit an application, however they will be evaluated and considered only after candidates with GPA's of 2.80 or higher have been processed.

For further explanation of applicant requirements, as well as general program information to include program overview, please reference our program booklet.

View program brochure.

Applications are accepted August 1 to October 1 for the class starting the following July. Interviews are completed during October/November and student selection is usually completed by late December.

Application materials include:

• completed application form
• signed essential functions form
• application fee
• transcript(s)
• resume
• (3) completed reference forms

Application form

Reference form

Essential Requirements

Please refer to the program brochure in the course overview section of the website for detailed information on the application materials and process.

Meredith Loosbrock, MSA, MLS (ASCP)CM
MLS Program Director-Lab
1305 W. 18th Street, Route #6293
Sioux Falls, SD 57105

Email: Meredith.loosbrock@sanfordhealth.org
Phone: (605) 333-7104