Admissions
Our commitment
We strive for a fair and transparent admission process.
Leading healthcare change starts with open minds and lifelong learning. From the breakroom to the classroom, you can feel confident knowing when you speak up at Geisinger, your voice will be heard. We’re committed to:
- Ensuring respect and inclusion are foundational to all policies, programs and services
- Creating a culture that embraces and values differences
- Eliminating disparities to provide the highest-quality care for every patient, every time
Geisinger complies with applicable federal civil rights laws and doesn’t discriminate on the basis of age, sex, race, color, religion, sexual orientation, income, education, national origin, ancestry, marital status, culture, language, disability or gender identity. Read more about diversity, equity and inclusion at Geisinger.
Ready to apply?
The application cycle for the Class of 2025 is expected to open from January to March 2024.
Admission requirements
Applicants to the Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science must meet the following minimum requirements:
- Completion of a bachelor's degree or completion of 90 semester hours of college course work, which must include the following courses and enrollment in a bachelor's completion program*:
- 16 semester hours of biology including microbiology
- Preferred/suggested courses in molecular biology, immunology, physiology
- 16 semester hours of chemistry including biochemistry or organic chemistry
- Preferred/suggested courses in analytical chemistry or chemical analytic methodology
- 3 semester hours of college-level mathematics (college algebra or above)
- Preferred/suggested course in statistics
- 16 semester hours of biology including microbiology
- Minimum GPA of 2.5 with a minimum grade of C in each of the above prerequisite coursework
- Completion of application with personal statement addressing why an education in MLS is essential to your personal career goals
- Signed attestation that you can meet the essential functions of the program
- Signed acknowledgement of required drug, tobacco/nicotine testing and vaccination requirements for Geisinger programs
- Signed acknowledgement of required background clearances required for Geisinger programs
- Two reference submissions from employer, manager, supervisor or educator who can attest to your resilience, ability to work with others, flexibility, reliability, integrity and competence.
- Employer/supervisor references preferred if not currently a student
- Educator references should be for coursework completed in the most recent year of education
*Bachelor’s completion program is any regionally accredited institution which permits completion of NAACLS (National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences) accredited MLS program as remaining part of degree completion. If uncertain of program status, discuss with the program director before applying.
Additional admission requirements
In accordance with Section 503 of the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act, the Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science has adopted the following minimal technical standards. Applicants to the Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science must possess the following abilities or can perform required essential practices with or without reasonable accommodation. The technical standards for the School of Medical Laboratory Science reflect typical professional attributes for general current practices and competencies within the profession as a generalist and may be assessed in both graded and non-graded assessments in the program.
Students in Geisinger educational programs are expected to carry liability insurance with minimum coverage amounts of no less than $1 million per occurrence and $3 million in aggregate liability.
Students enrolled in 3+1 programs with affiliated institutions should check with their advisor to determine if coverage is available.
Other students are encouraged to shop for coverage that meets the minimums required through private insurance agencies. Proof of coverage is required during student pre-enrollment onboarding.
Questions about admission requirements and policies? Contact gsmls@geisinger.edu.
Admission Process
Applicants must submit an acceptance of the offer packet with a $150 deposit and scheduling of required background, drug and health screenings. Applicants who do not return the $150 deposit by the due date will have their offer rescinded and applicants from the wait list will be offered admission to the program. The next-highest applicants are offered a position on the wait list and may be offered a position in the program if the top applicants choose not to accept their position. Admitted students who are unable to meet the required background, drug, tobacco, and vaccine requirements by the deadline will have their offer rescinded.
Application scoring
Application packets are scored, and applicants ranked. Applications are scored according to the following rubric.
Top applicants are offered interviews. Interviews are scored and added to a total applicant score. Positions are offered based on the available seats for the upcoming year. The top interviewed applicants are offered admission to the program. There is no advanced placement option for the program. There is no policy for program credit based on prior education or experience in medical laboratory professions.
Tuition and fees
Tuition
The 2025 tuition for the Geisinger School of Medical Laboratory Science is $15,000, payable in two installments. The first half payment is $7,500, due Jan. 1. The second of $7,500 is due Aug. 1. Students waiting on a student loan reimbursement from an affiliated institution can contact the program director to work out a payment plan.
Fees
There’s no application fee for the 2025 program year. Students who are offered admission must pay a non-refundable deposit of $150 applied to the first semester’s tuition.
The BOC certification exam fee is projected at $260 for the class of 2025 graduates, and is payable directly to the ASCP Board of Certification.
Refunds
Students whose offer of admission is rescinded or who choose not to start the program are refunded any tuition paid except the non-refundable deposit. Students who are dismissed from the program or who chose to leave the program prior to the second semester will be refunded any prepayment of the second half ($7,500) of tuition. First half of tuition cannot be refunded to students who choose to leave the program after the start date.