Prerequisite Courses
The student must have prior to starting the program:
- A BS or BA degree in chemistry or biological sciences from a regionally accredited college/university
- A minimum of 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in chemistry, including:
- Two semesters of general chemistry with a laboratory component
- Organic chemistry and/or biochemistry
- Two courses must include a laboratory
- A course in analytical or instrumental chemistry is highly recommended
- A minimum of 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) in biological sciences, including:
- Microbiology with a laboratory (no online laboratory)
- Immunology; may be a separate course or basics included in another course (200 level or higher)
- Molecular Biology; may be a separate course or basics included in another course (200 level or higher)
- Genetics; may be a separate course or basics included in another course (200 level or higher)
- Anatomy and physiology, cell biology or human/animal physiology (200 level or higher)
- Three courses must include a laboratory component
- One course in pathogenic/medical microbiology is highly recommended
- A college level course in mathematics – statistics or a higher level course, and
- A minimum overall and a science GPA of ≥2.75 on 4.0 scale. Required courses must qualify towards a degree in chemistry or the biological sciences; no remedial courses. No online lab courses are accepted
If required courses were taken seven or more years prior, the applicant must take a course in Biochemistry/Organic chemistry and Microbiology with a laboratory component before he/she will be considered for admission.
Applicants with a degree from a foreign university (non-U.S.) must submit a transcript evaluation by an evaluation agency that is acceptable to the ASCP Board of Certification. Contact the Program Director for the acceptable agencies.
Applicants whose native language is not English must demonstrate a minimum score of 90 on the internet based TOEFL exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language). Applicants whose native language is not English but successfully graduated from a U.S. university may have the TOEFL requirement waived. Applicant must me authorized to work in the U.S. or be a legal permanent resident of the U.S.
How to Apply
All applicants must submit a completed application form, official transcripts, three references, an essay (<500 words) stating their interest in becoming a medical lab scientist and meet the Essential Functions.
The due date for applications is June 15 for consideration for the following January class; a non-refundable $50 application fee must be submitted with the application to be considered.
Download the application and reference forms for use below. Read the Essential Functions thoroughly as you must agree that you meet these requirements on the completed application form.
- Application Form - complete and return as directed on the form
- Pay application fee online - Applications will not be considered without payment of $50 application fee.
- Reference Request Form - three references are required; two science faculty and one other (academic advisor, employment supervisor or volunteer coordinator)
- Essential Functions - non-academic requirements for admission
Those who meet acceptable criteria may be invited for a personal interview at Denver Health. All interviews must be completed during July and early August; applicants will be notified by August 24 if accepted. The candidate must notify the Program Director by August 31 if they decide to accept or decline and if they accept, pay the non-refundable $500 acceptance fee (fee applied towards tuition), otherwise the position will be given to the next candidate. Class size is eight.
Admission is based on a combination of requirements including meeting pre-requisites and essential functions, GPA/overall academic performance, professional interest and attitude, communication skills and reference recommendations.