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Ģ����Ƶ’s medical laboratory science program, housed in the College of Pharmacy and Allied Health Professions, has earned a continuing 10-year accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

According to the agency, accreditation means a “program has been rigorously evaluated and meets industry and professional standards.”

Stacie Lansink, medical laboratory science program director, said National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences accreditation gives program graduates a competitive edge in certification and in competing for jobs. 

“The Board of Certification requires that students meet specific standards, and NAACLS-accredited programs are required to meet these standards for accreditation,” she said. “And healthcare systems know, as well, the standards our program and our students have to meet.”

SDSU’s medical laboratory science program is the only National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences-accredited, university-based medical laboratory science program in South Dakota, Lansink said. The program admits a small cohort of approximately 24 students each year, fostering close relationships between students and faculty. Students receive direct instruction from faculty and learn on cutting-edge technology.

“We are incredibly proud of our medical laboratory science leadership, faculty and students,” said Brad Laible, associate dean for academic programs. “They have worked countless hours over many years to improve our medical laboratory science program, and this outstanding accreditation report reflects their hard work and dedication to the medical laboratory profession.”

Students can pursue several options for their medical laboratory science degree, including the on-campus Bachelor of Science degree as well as an online accelerated option that includes coursework conducted electronically enhanced with on campus laboratory courses and an off-campus clinical experience. For those who already are medical laboratory technicians, the Upward Mobility Program allows them to complete a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science within their own workplace. A phlebotomy certificate is also offered.