Who should consider this program? 

The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program is an excellent choice for students who want to make a meaningful difference in healthcare through science, critical thinking, and laboratory medicine. Medical Laboratory Scientists play an essential role in patient care by generating the laboratory data used to diagnose disease, guide treatment decisions, monitor health conditions, and improve patient outcomes.  

While most MLS professionals work primarily within the laboratory rather than in direct patient care settings, their expertise and commitment to quality have a direct impact on nearly every patient encounter. Students who are passionate about science, enjoy solving problems, value accuracy and quality, and seek a rewarding healthcare career with diverse employment opportunities may thrive in this profession. Graduates are prepared for careers in clinical and hospital laboratories, reference laboratories, public health laboratories, biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, forensic laboratories, research settings, and many other scientific and healthcare environments. 

You may be a good fit for Medical Laboratory Science if you: 

• Enjoy science, investigation, and problem solving 

• Thrive on challenge, responsibility, and continuous learning 

• Perform tasks with accuracy, reliability, and attention to detail 

• Work well under pressure and adapt to changing situations 

• Communicate effectively with others 

• Hold yourself to high professional and ethical standards 

• Enjoy organizing information and identifying patterns 

• Want a meaningful career that contributes to patient care and public health 

• Value teamwork and collaboration within the healthcare system 

What career options are available? 

Clinical laboratory technical and professional skills are transferrable to numerous other fields, both within and beyond healthcare. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in a variety of settings, including: 

• Clinical and hospital laboratories,  

• Reference laboratories,  

• Public health and government laboratories,  

• Biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, 

• Forensic laboratories, and 

• Research settings 

Aside from general laboratory science roles, the MLS graduate is also well-equipped to: 

(1) Advance within the laboratory or beyond as a: 

• Specialist in a specific clinical laboratory technical discipline  

• Leader or technical supervisor within specialty laboratory discipline 

• Manager or director of a clinical laboratory 

• Quality assurance specialist 

• Infection control/prevention coordinator 

• Safety and compliance director 

• Clinical educator 

(2) Apply skills outside of the hospital setting as a: 

• Research and development laboratory technician 
• Academic laboratory research assistant 

• Technical support laboratory manager 

• Food scientist 

• Forensic technologist 

• Academic educator 

• Healthcare device sales specialist 

• Laboratory analyzer service engineer 

(3) Continue their education through: 

• Business, healthcare administration, leadership, or MLS master’s degree programs 

• Medical or dental school 

• Physician’s assistant school 

• Pathologist’s assistant programs 

• Forensic science master’s degree programs 

• Research doctoral programs (PhD)  

• Post-professional doctoral programs (EdD, HSc, DCLS, etc.)  

Public Student Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) 

Medical Laboratory Scientists who work under qualifying employer(s) (not-for-profit, 503c, or public) and who make qualifying (income-based) payments are eligible for loan forgiveness after ten years.  

Visit the Federal Student Aid website on PSLF at Public Service Loan Forgiveness/Federal Student Aid for more information.