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Admissions

Our commitment

We strive for a fair, transparent admission process.

Leading healthcare change starts with open minds and lifelong learning. From the break room to the classroom, you can feel confident knowing when you speak up at Geisinger, your voice will be heard. We’re committed to:

  • Making sure 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?

Applications are expected to open November 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 
  • 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 by contacting gsmls@geisinger.edu.

Additional admission requirements

Criminal and child abuse background clearance

In compliance with Geisinger policy, students in Geisinger educational programs are required to adhere to mandated criminal and child abuse background clearance requirements. Admitted students will be given instructions for obtaining state and federal fingerprint background checks and PATCH clearances at their own expense before the program starts. Applicants are required to read the policy. Failure to abide by the policy or meet the clearance requirement will result in the offer of admission being rescinded.  
Drug-free workplace policy

In compliance with Geisinger policy, students in Geisinger educational programs are required to adhere to the Geisinger drug-free workplace policy and complete a urine drug screen test. Applicants are required to read the policy. Failing to abide by the policy or a positive drug screen test for drugs of abuse will result in admission to the program being rescinded.
Essential functions

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.   

Technical Standards for Medical Laboratory Science

Health insurance

Students are expected to maintain health insurance coverage while enrolled in the program.

Tobacco-free policy

In compliance with Geisinger policy, students in Geisinger programs are required to meet and abide by Geisinger’s tobacco-free policy and pass a nicotine screening test. Applicants are required to read the policy. Offers of admission will be rescinded if students do not comply with or pass the nicotine screening test.  
Vaccination policy

In compliance with Geisinger policy, students in Geisinger programs are required to meet and abide by Geisinger’s current vaccination and immunization policy including completion of a health immunization review. Applicants are required to read the policy. Offers of admission will be rescinded if students fail to comply with the policy requirements.

Questions about admission requirements and policies? Contact gsmls@geisinger.edu.

Admission Process

You may submit an application up to 16 months prior to the desired start date.  Applicants are offered interviews on a rolling basis after all application materials are received. Offers of admission will be made up to 13 months prior to program start. Applicants must submit an acceptance of the offer packet with a $150 non-refundable deposit for scheduling of required background, drug, and health screenings. Applicants who decline the offer of admission or 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. Applicants on the wait list and may be offered a position up to the program start date. 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

Applications are scored and scores ranked according to the following rubric.

Application scoring chart

Top applicants are offered interviews. Interviews are scored and added to a total applicant score. Interviews and admissions 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. 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 2026 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 2026 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.

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