Stevenson's Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science combines the sciences of biology and chemistry with medicine and the clinical sciences to prepare you for a professional career as a medical laboratory scientist, also known as medical technologist.
Medical laboratory scientists are “diagnostic detectives.” They apply biology, chemistry and medicine to perform and interpret laboratory data. This laboratory data aids in the diagnosis and treatment of disease as well as disease monitoring and prevention. It is a profession that requires vast knowledge to make life-saving decisions. This is an exciting, challenging and rewarding healthcare profession.
There is a demand for more testing as our population grows older and medical knowledge expands into biogenetics, DNA and cell marker technologies, and personalized medicine. But, there is a critical shortage of medical laboratory scientists nationwide. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects for 2016-2026 the annual number of MLS job openings are 12,900, but the number of certified MLS graduates are only approximately 3,500 per year.
Our program curriculum culminates in the senior year at the Sinai Hospital of Baltimore campus and a semester-long clinical practicum to develop competency in all areas of the modern, automated hospital laboratory, including microbiology, hematology, chemistry, blood banking, immunology, and molecular diagnostics. Graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination to become a certified Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS(ASCP). You will have the benefits of the MLS faculty who are working professionals in their area of expertise. Our program offers personal attention in a small, select class of students and the networking opportunities as a result of being in the clinical laboratory your entire last semester.
The Medical Laboratory Science degree is a versatile one that will prepare you to become a certified medical laboratory scientist qualified to work wherever laboratory testing is researched, developed, or performed, including hospital, private, research, industrial, biomedical, and forensic laboratories; pharmaceutical companies; and fertility centers.Our graduates are currently employed in many area hospitals, such as, Sinai Hospital, Northwest Hospital, University of Maryland Medical Center, and Johns Hopkins Hospital. In fact, 100% of our MLS graduates obtain full-time employment (many before graduation) or continue on to post-graduate education.
Medical Laboratory Science Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Medical Laboratory Science program of Sinai Hospital and Stevenson University is to provide the academic and applied science education to graduate ethical, certified entry-level medical laboratory scientists. As professionals, they will provide service, research and leadership in a rapidly changing and dynamic healthcare delivery system. The program strives to create an environment that nurtures Medical Laboratory Science as a unique and highly specialized profession.
The Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited through April, 2030 by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); 5600 North River Road, Suite 72; 60018-5119; 773-714-8880; http://www.naacls.org
Graduates of our Medical Laboratory Science program embark on many rewarding career choices, including:
Curious about internships and job placement after you graduate? Visit our Office of Career Services.
The courses listed below are required for completion of the bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science. Students must also complete the requirements for the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE).
Specific pre- and co-requisites for each course are listed in the course descriptions.
FYS 100 | First Year Seminar | 1 credit |
BIO 112 | Principles of General Biology | 3 credits |
or | ||
BIO 113 | General Biology I: Cell Biology and Genetics | 3 credits |
BIO 113L | General Biology I Laboratory: Cell Biology and Genetics | 1 credit |
BIO 203 | Microbiology | 4 credits |
BIO 217 | Principles of Biochemistry | 3 credits |
BIO 222 | Human Anatomy | 4 credits |
BIO 230 | Genetics | 4 credits |
BIO 322 | Human Physiology | 4 credits |
CHEM 114 | General Chemistry I with Problem Solving | 3 credits |
or | ||
CHEM 115 | General Chemistry I | 3 credits |
CHEM 115L | General Chemistry I Laboratory | 1 credit |
CHEM 116 | General Chemistry II | 3 credits |
CHEM 116L | General Chemistry II Laboratory | 1 credit |
MATH 136 | Introduction to Statistics | 4 credits |
MLS 210 | Principles of Laboratory Science | 3 credits |
MLS 310 | Hematology I | 3 credits |
MLS 310L | Hematology I Laboratory | 1 credit |
MLS 311 | Communication and Cultural Competence in Health Care | 3 credits |
MLS 315 | Clinical Mycology, Parasitology and Virology | 2 credits |
MLS 320 | Urinalysis and Body Fluids | 2 credits |
MLS 320L | Urinalysis and Body Fluids Laboratory | 1 credit |
MLS 325 | Clinical Chemistry I | 3 credits |
MLS 325L | Clinical Chemistry I Lab | 1 credit |
MLS 330 | Clinical Microbiology I | 3 credits |
MLS 330L | Clinical Microbiology I Lab | 1 credit |
MLS 335 | Clinical Laboratory Management | 3 credits |
MLS 338 | Molecular and Immunologic Diagnostics | 3 credits |
MLS 338L | Molecular and Immunologic Diagnostics Lab | 1 credit |
MLS 405 | Transfusion Medicine | 4 credits |
MLS 410 | Hematology II | 3 credits |
MLS 420 | Clinical Microbiology II | 4 credits |
MLS 425 | Clinical Chemistry II | 3 credits |
MLS 430 | Professional Research and Writing | 4 credits |
MLS 431 | Clinical Chemistry Practicum | 3 credits |
MLS 432 | Clinical Hematology Practicum | 3 credits |
MLS 433 | Clinical Microbiology Practicum | 3 credits |
MLS 434 | Clinical Immunohematology Practicum | 3 credits |
SCI 215 | Writing in the Sciences | 3 credits |
Explore our academic catalog for a full listing of courses, course descriptions, suggested course sequences, and more.
The discipline minor in Medical Laboratory Science requires successful completion of a minimum of six courses and 18 credits of courses with a MLS designation. Senior level (400-level) MLS courses are not eligible for this minor. Depending on the courses taken, students may partially fulfill the requirements for categorical certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). See the Program Coordinator for further information regarding this minor. General guidelines regarding minors may be found in the Minors section of the catalog.
The Categorical Certificate Training Program is available for students who may want to become certified as a technologist in a laboratory discipline to be eligible for employment in the clinical laboratory. Requirements for this training program can be satisfied by pursing the minor in Medical Laboratory Science. Please see the Program Coordinator for further information regarding this certificate program.
It is possible for students to transfer credits from the following programs that count in the Stevenson Educational Experience (SEE) and the Medical Laboratory Science curriculum.