Medical Laboratory Science in the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry at the University of Alberta offers a four-year professional degree program. Students acquire General Certification from the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) and a BSc in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS). Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Science program at the University of Alberta have an excellent reputation locally, nationally, and internationally.
This fully integrated program consists of a preprofessional year followed by three years in the Division of Medical Laboratory Science. After the preprofessional year, the first and third years of the program, are regular university years. The second year is the practical hospital training year under the supervision of Alberta Health Services, Edmonton Zone, and the Faculty of Medicine & Dentistry. The three MLS years are designated Phase 1, Phase 2, and Phase 3.
The theoretical basis for the five disciplines of Medical laboratory Science is offered in Phase 1, as well as a beginning to clinical practice techniques. Phase 2 is the clinical rotation in accredited laboratories. Ethics and professional behavior are considered in all courses. Phase 3 completes the degree requirements and students may choose to focus or to stay general. Research projects are completed by all students. After the degree requirements are successfully completed, students are permitted to write the General Certification examinations of the CSMLS. When the BSc in Medical Laboratory Science has been conferred, students are eligible to write the Medical Technologist (MT) certification examinations of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) as well as the CLS examinations of the NCA.