Medical Laboratory Science Bachelor's Degree

Help Diagnose Ailments and Save Lives

Evaluate blood smears to detect disease. Perform crossmatches for safe blood transfusions. Identify bacterial pathogens responsible for infections. As a medical laboratory scientist, you have a direct impact on patient care through the analysis of blood, tissues, and body fluids. You become an essential part of the healthcare team, with nearly 70 percent of a physician's diagnosis based on laboratory results.

Graduates who earn a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science at Michigan Tech receive a pragmatic, qualitative education with a strong understanding of hematology, immunology, molecular biology, clinical chemistry, medical terminology, microbiology, anatomy and physiology, and more.

Be part of a caring and committed community of students, faculty, and staff. Take your education beyond the classroom with any number of professional organizations—including the Society of Medical Laboratory Scientists (SMLS), Microbiology Club, Phi Sigma, the Pre-Health Association at Tech (PHAT), and more. Get involved in undergraduate research and hands-on experience through job shadowing, campus EMS services, or the H-STEM Enterprise—part of Michigan Tech's one-of-a-kind Enterprise Program. Explore our Health Research Institute—a renowned health research center on campus tackling a variety of health-related challenges, such as developing material for better wound care, creating vaccines, studying alcohol's effects on the nervous system, and designing a magnetoelastic sensor for use in an artificial knee.

The fastest route to become a nationally certified medical laboratory scientist is to complete either the 3+1 or 4+1 degree concentration at Michigan Tech, get laboratory experience at one of our affiliated clinical sites, and become eligible to sit for a national certification exam.

Demand for Medical Lab Scientists is Soaring

There is a critical shortage of medical laboratory scientists nationwide—approximately 25,000—and with 100% job placement after completing a clinical practicum, Michigan Tech alumni are at the front of the line. That's because here, you learn by doing. At Michigan Tech, you'll work in cutting-edge labs and tackle high-level research projects alongside professors who are among the best in their field. You'll also benefit from small class sizes (average 20 students), personal advising, and one-on-one faculty interaction.

What is a Clinical Practicum?

Over 80 Years of Educating Medical Laboratory Scientists

Since 1941, Michigan Tech has been educating top-quality medical laboratory scientists. To accommodate our growing program and to help fill vacant medical lab positions nationwide, our BS in Medical Laboratory Science degree program became accredited in 2018 through the National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). This accreditation expands the number of available clinical practicum sites available for our students in a variety of new locations throughout the Midwest.

Degree Concentrations

The BS in Medical Laboratory Science program is all about options—and with two degree concentrations available, students can choose the route that best suits them. Both concentrations offer a rigorous and engaging curriculum to prepare our students for whatever may follow—a clinical practicum, medical school, a career in industry, and more.

MLS 3+1 Concentration

If you want to take the fastest route to becoming a medical lab scientist, the Medical Laboratory Science 3+1 concentration is for you. You will spend three years on campus learning fundamental information in preparation for a fourth-year clinical practicum.

3+1 students must complete their clinical practicum at an NAACLS-accredited teaching hospital affiliated with Michigan Tech (marked with gold pins) found on the Practicum Map. Please refer to the the 3+1 degree audit for more information.

MLS 4+1 Concentration

The Medical Laboratory Science 4+1 concentration is similar to the Medical Laboratory Science 3+1 option, but with an added year on campus for additional study and specialization. You will spend four years based at Tech in preparation for a semester-long clinical practicum.

4+1 students may complete their clinical practicum at either an NAACLS-accredited teaching hospital (gold pins), or through one of our clinical affiliates (gray pins) found on the Practicum Map. Please refer to the 4+1 degree audit for more information.

  • 70%
    acceptance into graduate health programs
  • 100%
    job placement after clinical practicums

Tomorrow Needs Talented Medical Laboratory Scientists

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 7% growth in demand for medical lab scientists over the next decade. A bachelor's degree in medical laboratory science prepares you for a successful career—you'll help diagnose patient ailments, improving quality of life and even saving lives.

Career Opportunities for Medical Lab Science Majors

Your future career options are unlimited with a degree in medical lab science. Career opportunities include:

  • Cytotechnologist

  • Histotechnologist

  • Pathologist Assistant

  • Specialist in Blood Banking

  • Technologist in Blood Banking

  • Technologist in Chemistry

  • Technologist in Cytogenetics

  • Technologist in Hematology

  • Technologist in Microbiology

  • Technologist in Molecular Biology

Michigan Tech Medical Lab Science Majors Get Hired

The growing list of companies that have hired Michigan Tech medical lab science graduates includes:

  • Abbott Laboratories
  • Abbott Northwestern Hospital
  • Aspirus Ironwood
  • Aspirus Keweenaw
  • Aspirus Wausau
  • Corewell Health
  • Detroit Medical Center
  • Fisher Scientific
  • Marshfield Clinics
  • Mayo Clinic
  • Michigan Medicine
  • MyMichigan Health
  • Northwestern Memorial Hospital
  • UPHS Marquette
  • UPHS Portage
  • UW Health

Ready to take the next step?

Learn more about studying medical laboratory science at Michigan's flagship technological university.

"I think of a day in my life ten years from now. Working in a hospital. That's what I want to be doing."Annalise Walsh ’25
BS Medical Laboratory Science

Why Accreditation Matters

As an accredited medical laboratory science degree program, Michigan Tech assesses student learning to ensure quality for medical laboratory science education and to continuously improve curriculum and programs. The Medical Laboratory Science 4+1 Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences:

5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: 773-714-8880
www.naacls.org

NAACLS logo

Study Biological Sciences at a Technological University

At Michigan Tech, you’ll build research skills and foundational knowledge required to succeed in graduate school, research, or industry. You'll learn and experience first-hand how biology is central to solving real-world problems in sustainability, human health, environment and industry. With biology faculty that also serve as your research advisors and mentors, you'll investigate, explore and experiment in the lab and present results in classrooms, research symposia, and scientific journals.

 

Student Learning Goals

We equip students with the knowledge, skills, and integrity needed to successfully enter the profession of medical laboratory science and other health-related professional programs. All graduates of the BS in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree program will:

  • Correlate major concepts of human biology pertinent to MLS curriculum.
  • Perform laboratory skills used by medical laboratory scientists working in a diagnostic laboratory.
  • Categorize laboratory testing and problem-solving as preanalytical, analytical, and postanalytical.
  • Process and communicate pertinent clinical information.
  • Demonstrate professionalism skills in the medical laboratory science field.
Accreditation Statistics
  2024 2023 2022 3-Year Total
Graduation Rate % (# of students) 100% (8/8) 100% (10/10) 100% (4/4) 100% (22/22)
Certification Pass Rate % (# of students) 100% (8/8) 100% (10/10) 75% (3/4) 95% (21/22)
Placement Rate % (# of students) 100% (8/8) 100% (10/10) 100% (4/4) 100% (22/22)

Study Biological Sciences at a Technological University

At Michigan Tech, you’ll build research skills and foundational knowledge required to succeed in graduate school, research, or industry. You'll learn and experience first-hand how biology is central to solving real-world problems in sustainability, human health, environment and industry. With biology faculty that also serve as your research advisors and mentors, you'll investigate, explore and experiment in the lab and present results in classrooms, research symposia, and scientific journals.

 

College of Sciences and Arts

The College of Sciences and Arts is a community of faculty, staff, and students committed to excellence and driven by our passion for education, outreach, research, and creativity across the social and natural sciences, humanities, and the arts. Uniquely situated in the heart of Michigan's R1 flagship technological university, we specialize in human-centered potential and discovery-based learning designed to meet the challenges of today and tomorrow. Knowing that every student at Michigan Tech will pass through our doors, our college strives to be at the forefront of interdisciplinary collaborations that lead to breakthrough solutions.

Our students gain a profound understanding of social and cultural contexts through experiential learning and innovative research. We welcome you to be part of our caring, expansive college community, with 32 undergraduate and 24 graduate degrees to choose from.

The opportunities in Michigan Tech's College of Sciences and Arts are limitless. Transform into a civic leader ready to contribute to a sustainable future. Lead and participate in action-based experiences that are critical to the start of a fulfilling career. Job-shadow at a local hospital or veterinary clinic while preparing for a career in health. Design sound and lighting for a regional production. Conduct community forums on the implications of artificial intelligence. Work to purify vaccines. Study the impact of social media on society. Research the mysteries of space and galaxies beyond our universe. Explore transforming abandoned iron and copper mines into giant batteries. Understand freshwater ecosystem health. Document the nature of changes in cognitive function and motor behavior in aging and dementia.

At Michigan Tech, your academic growth is supported by a variety of learning centers, along with our Humanities Digital Media Zone and Writing Center. Model climate in the only cloud chamber of its kind. Take part in interdisciplinary health research in our state-of-the-art H-STEM Complex. Create amazing sights and sounds in our visual art, sound, and theatre performance spaces

Tomorrow Needs You

Supercharge your analytical skills to meet the demands of a technology-driven society at a flagship public research university powered by science, technology, engineering, and math. Graduate with the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to solve real-world problems and succeed in academia, research, and tomorrow's high-tech business landscape.

"The MLS faculty are some of the most wonderful people, I think. Because they're really excited for you to learn, but they're more excited for you to grow as a person."

Watch The Video

Karmyn Polakowski
Karmyn Polakowski '21
BS Medical Laboratory Science