medical laboratory science

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mms-dept@udel.edu

302-831-2849

Clinical Education >

Scientist conducting an experiment in the lab.

What is Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)?

Medical Laboratory Science encompasses the essence of biology, chemistry, and medicine. Approximately 70% of the information a physician needs to properly diagnose and treat patients comes from the laboratory test results performed by Medical Laboratory Scientists.

What Will I Learn in the MLS Major?

You will gain a comprehensive knowledge base in hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, immunohematology, molecular diagnostics, and microbiology as well as the skill set to perform laboratory tests required by physicians and other healthcare providers to care for their patients. You will then apply your knowledge and skills in the real world at some of approximately 30 area hospital and clinical laboratory affiliates during your senior year.

What is Unique About This Program?

Our BS-MLS program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Our program is taught by excellent faculty, including noted researchers in their respective fields of cancer, inherited visual diseases, immunology, and infectious diseases. Undergraduate student laboratories equipped with state-of-the-art clinical instrumentation are directed by accomplished, certified medical laboratory science professionals.

What Can I Do with a Degree in MLS from UD?

Our graduates are eagerly sought by employers in hospital and private laboratories, as well as industrial medical and biomedical laboratories, research and forensic laboratories, educational institutions, pharmaceutical companies, fertility centers, and physician office laboratories. Many alumno pursue graduate and professional education programs in medicine, health administration, public health, and other areas.

The job outlook according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects a 5% increase in MLS employment prospects through 2032. BLS reports a median pay of $57,380 in 2022, whereas UD graduates reported a median pay of $59,280.

Students interested in medical school, optometry school, physician assistant graduate programs, etc. should review the information posted at the Center for Health Profession Studies and the Health Profession Evaluation Committee. These websites provide updated course requirements for medical-related graduate and professional programs.

Admission Information

The medical laboratory science major culminates in the awarding of a bachelor of science degree. Students enter the University as freshmen or transfer students with a declared interest in medical laboratory science (MLSI) for the purpose of advisement and progression toward the MLS-BS major. Consideration for admission to the major at the end of the sophomore year is based on the following criteria:

Minimal grade point index of 2.00 for the first 4 semesters;
Minimal grade point index of 2.00 for specific prerequisite courses in biology and chemistry; and
Completion of at least 60 credit hours, including the prerequisite science courses.

Approximately 36 students are admitted each year, resulting in a low student-to-instructor ratio in the medical laboratory science student laboratory courses. The first two years provide pre-professional courses in the basic sciences and liberal arts. The third and fourth years are an integration of professional and clinical courses. Students receive clinical experience during the last 12 weeks of their senior year at three or more of our clinical laboratory affiliates.