Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science

About

Saint Louis University's Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree prepares graduates to take a national certification exam to become certified laboratory professionals. Graduates of SLU's medical laboratory science program become professionals who save lives by performing and assuring the reliability of tests that provide objective information used in the early detection, diagnosis, monitoring and effective treatment of disease. Clinical laboratory testing impacts up to 80% of all clinical decisions. The knowledge and skills required of medical laboratory professionals are diverse, involving both scientific detective work and managerial competence. Each day offers a challenge, and the opportunities to learn are endless. Clinical practicum experiences in clinical practice settings (e.g., hospitals, reference labs, etc.) are a required component of the medical laboratory science curriculum and are guaranteed upon admission. The Medical Laboratory Science Program assigns clinical placements for all MLS students entering the clinical year who are in good academic standing. Clinical placements are randomly assigned while considering transportation issues. While the program will do its best to assign students to their desired location, it cannot be guaranteed. Students may have to travel or relocate to perform their clinical rotations, and this will be at the expense of the student.  In the event a clinical affiliate is unable to fulfill their prior obligation, alternative clinical rotations will be sought at other affiliate institutions. In the very unlikely event alternative clinical rotations are unable to be secured, affected students will be reassigned to the first available rotation site. The next available clinical rotation will occur as soon as possible but no later than one year from the time the rotation was canceled. If the clinical rotation cancellation occurs after clinical rotations have commenced, the affected student will be placed first in the queue to receive the first available clinical rotation slot that will occur no later than one year after the cancellation. Graduates will demonstrate respect for human life with regard to all aspects of laboratory testing. 

Career Path  

Graduate career path includes Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Technologist, Hematology Technologist, Microbiology Technologist, Immunology Technologist, Blood Bank/Transfusion Medicine Technologist, Clinical Chemistry Technologist, Histology Technologist, Cytotechnology Specialist,Clinical Research Coordinator, Diagnostic Laboratory Supervisor, Public Health Laboratory Scientist,Point-of-Care Testing Specialist, Laboratory Safety Officer, Infection Control Specialist, Forensic Laboratory Scientist, Molecular Diagnostics Technologist, Genetic Testing Specialist, Toxicology Laboratory Scientist, Biotech Laboratory Scientist, Pharmaceutical Laboratory Scientist, Veterinary Laboratory Scientist, Environmental Health Laboratory Scientist, Laboratory Quality Assurance Officer, Laboratory Policy Analyst, Laboratory Regulatory Affairs Specialist, Laboratory Informatics Specialist, Health Data Analyst (Laboratory Focus).