School of Medical Laboratory Science
This 46-week clinical program allows students to complete their college senior year of instruction at the North Kansas City Hospital Laboratory, one of only six programs in Missouri. The program acquaints students with instruments, procedures and clinical experiences found in a hospital laboratory. This program also teaches students about disease processes and how to correlate them with lab results. Students are evaluated based on their academic achievement, laboratory performance and professional behavior throughout the program year.
Schedule
The clinical program operates Monday through Friday with a typical day beginning at 7:30 a.m. and ending at 3:30 p.m. A detailed schedule is provided to the student at the start of the program year. Students spend most of their time at North Kansas City Hospital, but may also participate in enrichment activities at other laboratories in the Kansas City Metropolitan area.
Selection
Students are chosen for the program based on overall GPA, work experience, interview, academic preparation, science GPA and recommendations. Our School is affiliated with 13 colleges and universities. Each affiliated university determines the exact credit hours according to their policies and procedures.
Download our brochure for more information
Outcomes
Upon program completion, students are eligible to take the national certification exam to become certified Medical Laboratory Scientists. The North Kansas City Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science boasts an exceptional pass rate on the ASCP (American Society for Clinical Pathology) BOC (Board of Certification) exam. In the past three years (2022-2024), 100% of our students passed the certification exam within one year of graduation. From 2022-2024, our Program had a 100% graduation rate/0% attrition rate for students who enter the final half of the program.
The career outlook for graduates of the MLS Program is outstanding. In the past three years (2022-2024), 100% of the NKCH MLS School’s graduates found employment in the Laboratory Science field. In fact, 100% of students who actively sought employment were hired prior to their graduation date.
The yearly breakdown of NKCH MLS Program outcomes are as follows:
| Outcome Measures by Year | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 |
| ASCP BOC Certification Rates | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Graduation Rates (for students who enter the final half of the program) | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Placement Rates | 100% | 100% | 100% |
Complete the entire application and return to:
Tamara Cessna
Program Director School of Medical Laboratory Science
North Kansas City Hospital
2800 Clay Edwards Drive
North Kansas City, MO 64116
There is a $25 application fee for students applying for the next MLS Class. A check can be enclosed with your application.
Program fee and refund policy
The North Kansas City Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science is accredited through: The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 Telephone: (773) 714-8880
Scholarship Providers
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) Education and Research Fund
Job Centers
The American Association of Clinical Chemists (AACC)
The American Medical Technologists (AMT)
American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP)
If you are interested in becoming a laboratory professional, but would like more information, take a look at the career tools listed below.
- ASCP professional recruitment website - What's My Next outlines what it means to be a laboratory professional and careers available in laboratory medicine.
- Who's Who in the Lab: A Look at Laboratory Professionals explains roles and responsibilities within in the lab, specialized roles, and career opportunities as a laboratory professional.
- The American Society for Clinical Pathology is a professional organization that provides press releases, advocacy, certifications, study materials, and offers recruiting tools for organizations and individual laboratory professionals.
- To see projected job outlook and median pay ranges for clinical laboratory careers - visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook
- Lab Tests Online - this website is a forum for anyone who has questions about lab results.
For more information, call (816) 691-1321, email or write:
Tamara Cessna, Program Director
School of Medical Laboratory Science
North Kansas City Hospital
2800 Clay Edwards Drive
North Kansas City, MO 64116
The following program policies and procedures are available from the program director upon request:
- Program Mission
- Program Philosophy
- Program Goals and Graduate Competencies
- Program Course Objectives
- Program Course Descriptions
- Program Outline of Training
- Program Fees and Refund Policy
- Program Educational Rights of Privacy Policy
- Program Student Employment or Service work Policy
- Program Dress Code Policy
- Program Attendance Policy
- Program Ethics Policy
- Program Guidance and counseling Policy
- Program Final Grades Policy
- Program Graduation Requirements Policy
- Program Progressive Discipline Policy
- Program Remediation, Probation and Dismissal Policies
- Program Contingency (teach out) plan
- Program Grievance Policy
- Program Emergency Medical Care Policy
- Program Technology, Computer, and Cellular Phone Usage Policy
- Program Retention of Student Records Policy
- Program Lecture Schedule/Calendar
- Program Clinical Schedule/Calendar
How competitive is the MLS training program at NKCH?
In each application cycle, the NKCH MLS program may receive up to 40 applicants for the 8 positions available. Approximately 50% of the qualified applicants are interviewed. The selection committee reviews all applications on a standardized and objective scoring rubric to determine the students who will be offered an interview. Our overall minimum GPA requirement is 2.75 or greater and over 2.5 for the Science GPA.
I have a Medical degree and/or 20 years of experience in a lab. Do I have to complete the entire 46 week program?
Each student, regardless of experience or degree, must complete all components of the MLS Program. There is no advanced placement. Please contact the Program Director if you have a degree from a foreign country.
My GPA does not meet your program requirement; however, I can explain my GPA. I also have lab experience and a strong desire to be a MLS. May I still apply and be considered for your MLS Program?
Unfortunately, for many potential applicants, they are in a similar situation. Currently our program is highly competitive and the opportunities for placement in our MLS Program with GPAs lower than the requirement are limited. You are welcome to apply and explain your situation, but you must understand the rigors of the MLS Program. The GPA is the strongest indicator of student success. In rare instances, we have accepted students with GPAs lower than our requirement, but this is highly uncommon. If you truly desire to be a Medical Laboratory Scientist, it would be wise to cast a wide net and apply to multiple MLS programs in the region.