Medical laboratory scientists use analytical procedures and complex instruments to perform tests on blood and body fluids that assist physicians in patient diagnosis and treatment, disease monitoring and prevention. Because the tests performed are so vital in medical treatment, the medical laboratory scientist must know how to perform these tests with scientific precision and accuracy, but also be well educated in the underlying scientific principles and clinical significance of the results.
Background Information
Laboratory work plays a vital role in the daily routine of the medical laboratory scientist and, while usually not having direct contact with patients, the MLS enjoys being a vital member of the health care team. Clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, urinalysis, immunohematology and immunology are the principal areas of practice in the medical laboratory. In addition to laboratory testing and analysis, a medical laboratory scientist may also monitor test quality, supervise personnel, conduct research and develop new tests and methodologies.
Career Opportunities
Certified medical laboratory scientists may readily find employment throughout the country in hospitals, medical and diagnostic laboratories, and other healthcare services. According to the U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of clinical laboratory workers is expected to grow faster than average for all occupations through 2026. This increase is attributed to growth in the aging population leading to a greater need to diagnose medical conditions through laboratory procedures, as well as prenatal testing for various genetic conditions which has become increasingly common. Mean annual wages for medical laboratory scientists/technologists was $57,380 in 2022 (Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians : Occupational Outlook Handbook: : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov))
The Program
North Dakota State University’s Bachelor of Science degree, with a major in medical laboratory science, includes three years of academic courses on campus followed by an 11-to-12-month full-time professional-level internship in an affiliated hospital-based school of medical laboratory science. Graduates are eligible to take a national certification exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification. NDSU graduates have enjoyed excellent employment opportunities and pass rates on the ASCP BOC exam. To remain certified, medical laboratory scientists must earn continuing education credits.
Students interested in pursuing medical laboratory science should have an interest and aptitude in the sciences, particularly chemistry and biology. College courses include college algebra, biological sciences, microbiology, general chemistry, organic chemistry, biochemistry and statistics, along with general education courses. Transfer students need to successfully complete a minimum of 20 resident credits at NDSU prior to beginning an internship. The full-time internship consists of classroom and clinical bench instruction in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunohematology, microscopy/urinalysis, microbiology, serology, phlebotomy, education, management, and research methods.
Internship Admission
Internship application occurs annually in the fall. Pre-MLS students who will have completed all courses on campus by start of the internship and meet grade and grade point average (GPA) requirements may be eligible to apply for the professional-level internship. This internship occurs onsite within an affiliated hospital-based MLS program. NDSU maintains affiliation with four medical laboratory science programs. These include: Sanford Medical Center (Fargo, ND), Mercy College of Health Sciences (Des Moines, IA), Methodist Hospital (Omaha, NE), and Colorado Center for Medical Laboratory Science (Aurora, CO). All affiliated programs are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science.
Internship admission is selective. Admission criteria are established by each hospital program and generally includes the student's cumulative and science GPA (a minimum of 2.50-3.00 is required and varies by hospital program), courses completed, related experience, references and an interview. In addition, students must comply with criminal background and student conduct requirements. In order to participate in an MLS internship, students must be able to comply with program-designated essential functions or request reasonable accommodations to meet these essential functions. Requirements include sound intellect, good motor skills, eye-hand coordination and dexterity, effective communication skills, visual acuity to perform macroscopic and microscopic analyses, or read procedures and graphs, and behavioral skills such as organization, time management and good judgment, even in emergency situations.
It is highly recommended that students interested in the MLS major meet with a medical laboratory science advisor to discuss degree and major requirements, internship admission, and create an individualized plan of study at least one year prior to their anticipated internship application. Information about the profession, curriculum, internship, and advising contacts are available from the NDSU Department of Allied Sciences.
Sample Program Guide
IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This guide is not an official curriculum. This guide is a sample four-year degree plan of how students might plan this major with other degree requirements to complete their education in four years.Student plans will vary from this sample due to a variety of factors, such as, but not limited to, start year, education goals, transfer credit, and course availability. To ensure proper degree completion, enrolled students should utilize Degree Map and Schedule Planner in Campus Connection and consult regularly with academic advisors to ensure graduation requirements are being met.
