Medical Laboratory Science
BS
Major in medical laboratory science
Medical laboratory scientists are the medical detectives who strive to answer medical questions and solve medical mysteries. When you major in medical laboratory science, you'll learn to analyze blood, body fluids, cells, tissues, and other specimens to determine both the causes of diseases and their appropriate treatments.
The science behind the medicine
Medical laboratory scientists are essential members of the healthcare team who play a central role in the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and monitoring of disease with minimal direct patient interaction. Medical laboratory scientists perform and interpret laboratory testing. More than 70% of all medical decisions are based on data that medical laboratory scientists provide to the healthcare team.
Do you like biology or chemistry? Do you like problem solving? Have you thought of yourself as someone who wants to help others? If you said "yes" to any of these, then a career in medical laboratory science may be a great fit for you. Also, if you are interested in a degree in biology, chemistry, health sciences, pre-med, or pre-dental, you can major in medical laboratory science and apply the knowledge and skills you learn to a range of careers in health care and medicine.
Our curriculum focuses on the standard medical laboratory disciplines of clinical chemistry, hematology, urinalysis, microbiology, immunology, and blood banking.
Our comprehensive program, one of the largest in the nation, is a university-based integrated clinical medical laboratory science program. Our program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, which makes our students eligible for national certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
100% job placement rate
Your education will prepare you to become an integral member of any healthcare team. You'll be qualified for careers in a variety of settings including clinical laboratories, hospitals, physicians' offices, and health departments as well as positions in research, medicine, management, industry, education, and public health. Within six months of graduation, 100% of our alumni have begun their careers in these excellent positions or enrolled in graduate school. Many of our graduates have multiple job offers before graduation.
Medical laboratory science alumni are qualified for professional and graduate studies in specialty areas of microbiology, hematology, immunohematology, and clinical chemistry. Our program also helps to prepare graduates for physician assistant, medical, and dental professional schools.
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Research
UMassD advantages
- Practicum: fulfill one semester of a senior-year practicum in one of our affiliated hospitals
- Technology: learn to use state-of-the-art equipment including spectrophotometers, computer controlled semi-automated chemistry analyzers, urinalysis instruments, hematology cell counters, and rapid microorganism identification instruments
- Community: participate in the Student Association for Medical Laboratory Science and the Pre-Health Club
- Honors College: take advanced courses, pursue research, and be part of a community of scholars
- Study Abroad: earn academic credits and gain a global perspective on your field
- Undergraduate Research: faculty work with students on cutting-edge research projects
- University Studies: gain the benefit of a broad university education to enhance your knowledge and skills
Study online
Complete your degree: the online BS in Medical Laboratory (MLS) Science program is for students who hold an associate's degree in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) from an NAACLS accredited institution.