Classes begin on the fourth or fifth Monday in the month of July and end on the second or third Friday in July the next year. There are two hours of classroom lectures daily on most days throughout the fifty weeks of the program. MLS students are also rotated into and taught bench work in eight (8) departments of the laboratory: Microbiology, Serology, Chemistry, Hematology, Urinalysis, Blood Bank, Phlebotomy, and Histology.

DAILY SCHEDULE:
Monday to Friday
0600 – 1000 – Bench Training
1000 – 1200 – Lecture
1200 – 1300 – Lunch
1300 – 1500 – Bench Training

There are instances when lectures are held between 1:00pm – 3:00pm. When the lectures do occur between 1:00-3:00pm, the student will be in the clinical rotations: 6:00am – 12:00pm.

YEARLY SCHEDULE
Microbiology - 12 weeks
Chemistry ----- 8 weeks
Blood Bank -- 10 weeks
Urinalysis ------ 3 weeks
Serology ------- 3 weeks
Hematology - 10 weeks
Phlebotomy -- 2 weeks
Histology ------- 1 week
Orientation ---- 1 week
Winter Break - 1 week

The individual lecture and departmental schedules are given to the students on the first day of the respective course.

There is a strict attendance policy. All hours beyond stated excused absences must be made up prior to graduation.

The standards of conduct for students in the School of Medical Laboratory are essentially identical to those of the other laboratory employees and hospital employees. A detailed account of the disciplinary standards of the hospital is covered in the hospital’s Employee Handbook. A copy of the Handbook is provided to the prospective student along with the Comanche County Memorial Hospital Standards Statement at the beginning of the program.

The School of Medical Laboratory Science has the right to dismiss a student for dishonesty, breach of confidentiality, violation of Hospital/Medical Laboratory Science program regulations, and academic failure at any time during the clinical training.

UNIFORM: Chocolate Brown Scrubs (Cherokee Workawear brand preferred), White lab coat with the CCMH MLS School patch affixed on the left sleeve are expected to be worn at all times.

Students can purchase the uniform from any scrub store. CCMH MLS School patches are to be purchased from the school during Orientation at $10 each. Other attire is not permitted.

HAIR: Hair should be well kept, clean and groomed and not to be worn in extremes. Keep hairstyles in good taste.

COSMETICS: Makeup and perfume/aftershave should not be worn in excess.

JEWELRY: Excessive jewelry should not be worn. Facial jewelry is unacceptable. It is not acceptable or advisable due to safety reasons and appearance.

NAME TAGS: CCMH ID badge must be worn by all students at all times. Students receive the ID badge during the Hospital Student Orientation.

The student will receive their student handbook no later than the morning of the first day of school. They will be required to read and sign all the MLS School Policies on said day.

They will be required to read and sign all the Lab General, Safety, and LIS Manual policies during Week 1.

Each student will read each department SOPs on the first day of their respective rotation, unless otherwise stipulated.

Students are required to read and sign any NEW or Revised policies made during the school year.

Students must understand all the policies and expectations.

The MLS classroom is equipped with a library, 4 computers, a conference desk with chairs, assigned student shelves, cabinets, and lockers. There is also a TV for viewing live interactive lectures (projector system) via Google Meet.

A microwave, coffee maker, and two refrigerators are available for students' use..

Our average class size is 4-6 students.

The MLS students pay for the following:
* Tuition (2024-2025 Tuition 4+1 student = $8732.40; MSU/UNT 3+1 student = $6985.92 payable to CCMH)
* Printing
* School Patch
* Online Portal Management System
* Book Loan
* Background check
* Urine Drug Screen
* PPD and other Immunity Shots
* Uniform
* Other Books & school supplies
* ASCP MLS Certification Exam
* AMT Phlebotomy Certification (optional)
* Graduation Stole and Teaching Tech Memento
* Housing
* Transportation
* Food
* Health and Dental Insurance
* Lab miscellaneous activities such as teaching tech appreciation, lab week activities, potlucks, etc.
*Other

All the above costs are subjective to change

Summer I Mini Break - 2 days
Fall Mini Break - 3 days
Winter Break - 5 days
New Year's Day - 1 day
Spring Mini Break - 2 days
Summer II Mini Break - 2 days
Independence Day - 1 day

At no time will students be used to replace scientists at the bench or any other lab staff.

Students are assigned a teaching tech/preceptor who will oversee their clinical training in the respective departments. Consequently, when students are learning or performing procedures in the laboratory rotations, they will be under direct supervision of a qualified scientist or instructor at all times.

No stipend or salary is provided for MLS students during school hours.

Student employment at CCMH is non-compulsory. Furthermore, those employment hours are outside of school hours.