Frequently Asked Questions

What are the basic admission requirements?

16 hours of Biology course work (including Microbiology and Immunology)
16 hours of Chemistry course work (including Organic Chemistry)
One Math course (must be recognized as a Physics prerequisite)
2.7 cumulative GPA
2.7 Math/Science GPA
GRE scores: minimum Analytical section score of 3.0 & minimum combined Verbal & Quantitative sections score of 280
Three references (including 2 science instructors)
Admissions Committee interview for qualified applicants
International students may also be required to submit a transcript evaluation.

Can I apply to the program if I am missing one of the required courses?

Yes, as long as all other requirements for admission are met. A student who has not completed all required courses may be admitted to the program on the condition that the required courses are completed before the program begins. An official copy of the transcript should be submitted to the Program Director to verify course completion.

Can I apply to the program if I don’t have a baccalaureate (B.S. or B.A.) degree?

The only non-baccalaureate degreed students admitted to the program are 3+1 students enrolled at academic affiliates of the program. Those students use the year of clinical training at Baptist as the final year of their degree. All other applicants must complete a baccalaureate degree before applying to the program.

Which schools are considered academic affiliates of the program?

Currently, Auburn University and Mississippi State University are affiliated with the program.

What is the application deadline?

December 15

When are interviews conducted?

The Admissions Committee generally conducts interviews during the first two weeks of January. Interviews will not be scheduled for qualified applicants until all transcripts are received by the Program Director.

How do you evaluate applicants?

A point system is used to rank applicants based on reference evaluations, transcripts, GRE scores and Admissions Committee interview evaluations.

When will I know if I’ve been admitted into the program?

Usually, all applicants are notified of their admission status by the end of January.

How many students are admitted each year?

A maximum of 6 students are admitted each year.

When does the program begin & how long does it last?

The program typically begins the first or second week of August and continues for one year.

Does the program offer any online courses?

No, there is no portion of the program presented as an online course. Students are expected to be onsite Monday through Friday from 7:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Can I work while in the program?

Yes, students are allowed to work while enrolled in the program. Once all competency evaluation forms are completed, a student may work any time that is considered “non-school hours.” Non-school hours are typically Monday through Friday after 4:00 p.m. and anytime on weekends or holidays. Contact the Program Director for the current hourly wage paid to students. If a student’s grades begin to suffer, he or she may not be allowed to continue working.

Is financial aid available?

At times, a stipend is available to students in the program. Contact the Program Director for more information about the stipend. Several scholarships are available throughout the year. The Program Director will provide scholarship information to students as applications become available. In addition, 3+1 students should have access to federal financial aid through their respective college or university.

What other expenses will I have?

The program does not charge tuition, but a $1000 activity fee is required. Of that fee, $500 is due when the student accepts a position in the class, and the remaining $500 is due the first week the program begins. Students are responsible for purchasing their own textbooks and providing for their own housing, transportation & uniforms.

How is the program structured?

There is no student laboratory component to the program. Students rotate through sections of the clinical laboratory on a prescribed schedule and learn to operate instrumentation and perform procedures using actual patient samples. Students are expected to be onsite Monday through Friday, in laboratory rotations from 7:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., and attending lecture from 2:30 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

How are students tested & evaluated during the program?

Students are given a schedule at the beginning of each lecture course that outlines topics to be covered and exam dates. At the beginning of each laboratory rotation, students are given a notebook that outlines reading assignments, study questions, written exams and practical exams. In addition, a performance evaluation is conducted at the end of each rotation as well. At the end of the program, students take a comprehensive written exam that is designed to prepare them for the certification exam. Students must pass the comprehensive exam in order to graduate from the program, but they DO NOT have to pass an external certification or licensure exam to graduate from the program.

How successful are students in your program?

The program tracks outcome measures over a three year rolling period. See Outcome Measures on the homepage for current MLS School outcomes data.