Medical Laboratory Science Major
Medical lab scientists have been called the “unsung heroes” of health care because few patients ever get to see what happens in a diagnostic clinical laboratory. However, excellent jobs and exciting careers await students who decide to major in medical laboratory science (MLS). MLS is a branch of medicine dealing with laboratory analyses used in the diagnosis, prognosis and treatment of disease as well as health maintenance. If you have ever been fascinated by what you saw looking through a microscope, what you watched happen in a test tube or what you found growing in Petri dish, this major could be for you.
Why Choose a Medical Laboratory Science Major at Salisbury University?
Career opportunities for MLS graduates are expanding. Think of how many medical laboratory procedures are now standard protocol: cholesterol testing, drug screening, DNA analysis, microbiological cultures and more. As the population in the U.S. ages and the capabilities of medical laboratories expand, there is no end in sight for increased demand for medical laboratory services.
An education at SU prepares you for that world outside of the classroom. Our courses help students practice under the guidance and supervision of professionals during internships in real-world environments. At SU, after two years of prerequisite courses in basic science areas such as biology and chemistry, upper-level courses are provided in chemical and biological testing related to health and human disease, as well as internships in various hospitals throughout the region. Following completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take national certification examinations that are recognized by medical laboratory employers. Many of our students also incorporate additional science courses into their studies to allow for admission into a variety of graduate schools including medicine, forensics and pharmacy.
Pre-Physician Assistant Track
Graduate physician assistant (PA) programs typically require students to already have significant previous health care experience, ranging from hundreds of clinical hours to thousands. To meet these requirements, many SU students choose the MLS major because clinical hours are built into the program so you can begin accruing these hours as undergraduates with no extra expense or effort. The MLS Pre-PA Track provides formal advising, faculty consisting of practicing PAs, and the courses and skills needed to be successful applicants to PA programs. Earn the highly competitive MLS degree while also keeping you on track for PA program acceptance and success. For more information, click the button below:
Medical Laboratory Science Areas of Study
Generalists in medical laboratory science are certified to work in a variety of lab areas:
Professional Program Admission
Medical laboratory science students must have an aptitude for science and a good working knowledge of chemistry, biology, physiology, math and microbiology. During the first two years of the undergraduate program, students take prerequisite courses. Admission into the undergraduate program is a two-step process that includes both admission to Salisbury University and acceptance into the upper-division professional program. Application to the upper-division professional program should occur in spring of the sophomore year. Program admission is competitive, and it is highly recommended that students wishing to pursue the degree seek academic advisement early. The last two years comprise the professional core, offering courses in the major with student laboratories accompanied by rotations through clinical facilities.
Careers for Medical Laboratory Science Majors
Medical Laboratory Science is an excellent foundation for a wide variety of careers in healthcare, science, management and information technology. Here is a sampling of the careers enjoyed by graduates of SU’s MLS Program:
- Medical Laboratory Scientist
- Research
- Physician
- Physician Assistant
- Forensic Laboratory
- Health Care Administrator
- Public Health
- Pathology Assistant
- Pharmacist
- Laboratory Manager
- Medical Instrument and Product Sales
- Laboratory Technical Support Specialist
- Veterinary Laboratory
- Infection Prevention
- Point of Care Testing
- Blood Banking/Transfusion Service
- Microbiologist
- Biochemist
- Immunologist
- Hematologist and Coagulation Specialist
Medical Laboratory Science Faculty with Real-World Experience
Our faculty work side-by-side with students to help them develop the skills they need to pursue competitive careers in the medical field.