Health Career Feature: Medical Lab Sciences
This week, the PHSRC is highlighting a health career you may not have heard of before: medical laboratory sciences (MLS). University of Minnesota Medical Lab Sciences Admissions and Recruitment Specialist Sheri Beck and Professor and Program Director Donna Spannaus-Martin, PhD, MLS(ASCP)cm explain what MLS is, how to know if it'd be a good fit for you, how to apply to pursue MLS at the U of M, and some information on available scholarships.
What is medical laboratory sciences?
Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) is a program in which students develop the skills and knowledge to perform and evaluate the laboratory tests which are the basis for medical diagnoses and treatment plans. Practice areas include medical microbiology (what organism is causing the infection and which antibiotic will be most effective in treating the infection), clinical chemistry (testing for diabetes, tumor markers, drug testing, etc.), hematology (testing to identify types of anemias, leukemias, and blood clotting abnormalities), and transfusion medicine (which unit of blood is safe to give the patient). Our NAACLS-accredited program prepares students to sit for the Board of Certification exam which certifies that they have entry level knowledge to be a medical laboratory scientist.
"For a lot of people when they go to the doctor, they tell the doctor what’s going on and the doctor diagnoses them. A lot of people don’t think about all of the lab testing and other diagnostic measures that are necessary to reach that diagnosis. Even getting into the program made me realize how important that step is in the process." - Kristen Oldenburg, Class of 2020
What qualities might a student have that would make them a good fit for a career in medical laboratory sciences?
A career in medical laboratory sciences may be right for you if you enjoy your laboratory courses, like to solve puzzles, are detail-oriented, and want to make a significant contribution to the well-being of the patient.
"What I really like about it is that you get to make an important impact on patients and patient care, but you get to be behind the scenes. It was nice for me in that I get to help people, but I also get to do what I like to do, which is the more technical lab stuff." - Andrew Ashmore, Class of 2020
What is the career outlook for prospective medical laboratory scientists?
Jobs are expected to grow 19% by 2030 with a current vacancy rate of 14% in the clinical laboratory. More than 99% of our graduates are employed within 6 months of graduation, with an average starting salary of $33.46 per hour with retention or signing bonuses between $2,000-$7,500.
"One thing I value about this is that there’s a lot of flexibility. If you don’t want to work the lab you can go into management. And if you don’t like certain specialties you can re-train and learn more. There are so many different ways you can go." - Dang Pham, Class of 2020
What MLS programs are available at the University of Minnesota? And, have there been any recent updates or changes to these programs?
The University of Minnesota offers a B.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences. See the UMN MLS website for more details. A professional Master's or post-baccalaureate certificate in MLS is also available.
And, 2023 has brought some new changes in the MLS application process; students can now apply to MLS earlier in their academic careers. Admission requirements include: General Chemistry I, General Chemistry II (Chem II can be in progress for spring semester), and one of the following: Biology, Calculus, or Statistics. To apply, complete the Change of College form.
Can you describe any scholarship opportunities available to students interested in medical laboratory sciences at the University of Minnesota?
Scholarships are available! Many students with financial need qualify for the Pathways Scholarship. Due to the generosity of our alumni, there are also numerous departmental scholarships available as well as scholarships through the MLS professional organization.
What’s a good first step for students to take to learn more about the career and pursuing MLS at the U of M?
Please visit the UMN MLS website and connect with MLS staff by attending an information session or scheduling an individual advising appointment.