Applied Biomedical Sciences Medical Laboratory Science Option

The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program is a nationally accredited program that prepares you to apply scientific and analytical skills to analyze blood, body fluids, cells and other specimens to diagnose, treat and monitor disease and promote health maintenance.

The Medical Laboratory Scientist is an essential part of the healthcare team that performs and interprets laboratory tests with minimal direct patient contact. MLS professionals are highly trained specialists in Clinical Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Immunohematology (Blood Banking), Molecular Diagnostics, and Clinical Microbiology.

If you are interested in a career that combines science and medicine with the desire to help others, consider the MLS program. Our MLS graduates have a 3- year average job placement rate of 100% and many receive multiple job offers. Potential employers include hospitals, reference labs, diagnostic instrument manufacturers, biotech companies, and public health laboratories.

Gain clinical experience with UMass Lowell clinical affiliates

UMass Lowell’s Applied Biomedical Sciences (ABS) Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)  program begins with on-campus lecture and laboratory courses and culminates in over 400 hours of intensive experience in clinical/medical diagnostic laboratories before graduation. Clinical affiliates include top Boston hospitals as well as community hospital laboratories around the area. The experiences gained in the combination of on-campus courses and clinical internships will sharpen your skills and prepare you for an entry-level position as an MLS professional, as well as qualification for the national certification exam.

Prepare for the Certification Exam

After completing the degree, you'll be qualified to take the Board of Certification (BOC) examination for Medical Laboratory Scientists offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences Accreditation

This program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, Contact: 847-939-3597 or 773-714-8880, email: info@naacls.org, and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences website.

You will begin your studies in the Laboratory Science and Technology Option of the ABS Program. Your training in MLS starts at the junior level once you complete certain required courses and apply to transfer into the program.

Admission into the MLS Program is a two-step process.

1. Apply or transfer to the Laboratory Science and Technology Option of the Applied Biomedical Sciences (ABS) major. Internal transfers must have minimum basic science and cumulative grade point averages of 2.500.
2. After at least one successful semester in the CS Option, and upon meeting certain course and GPA pre-requisites, students will then be eligible to apply to the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Option.

Visit the Applied Biomedical Sciences degree program page for more information on admission and the degree pathway. For specific questions about the ABS-MLS option please contact: Associate Professor.Nancy Goodyear, by email: Nancy_Goodyear@uml.edu.