MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE

In the Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences, the Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) specialization within the Bachelor of Science in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences prepares you to perform diagnostic tests in clinical settings to determine the presence, extent or absence of disease and provide data to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. You will work with, and analyze, all types of body tissues and fluids through hands-on, experiential learning opportunities.

Program Overview Curricular Requirements Degree Plan Advising Apply

Curriculum

In the MLS specialization, you will complete 2-4 years of prerequisite and specialized classroom instruction meant to establish competencies in core scientific disciplines. A cumulative GPA of 2.80 or higher is required for all specializations in the Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences major. Reviewing the Undergraduate Catalog (see Curricular Requirements) for CDS core curriculum and grade expectations is required.

Because Laboratory professionals provide as much as 80 percent of the information a physician requires to diagnose a patient, the Medical Laboratory Science curriculum is a natural path to professional schools. Areas of specialization within clinical pathology include:

Clinical Chemistry
Flow Cytometry
Hematology
Hemostasis
Immunohematology (blood bank)
Microbiology
Molecular Diagnostics
Serology
Urinalysis

Clinical Internship

Students may apply for specialization standing in MLS after completing the CDS core curriculum, generally at the end of the sophomore year. The junior and senior years consist of the specialization course requirements at Oakland University. A clinical internship is required for national certification as a medical laboratory scientist. See the curricular requirements for additional information. Application to the hospital based clinical internship is made through the Medical Technology Internship Matching Program of Michigan during the summer semester prior to the senior year. Internships are either six or 10 months duration depending on the clinical site, and are post-graduation.

Oakland University is affiliated with the following accredited MLS clinical programs: Detroit Medical Center University Laboratories, Ascension St. John Hospital and Beaumont Health System. Acceptance into the internship program is competitive and based on grade point average, personal interview, and letters of recommendation. Desirable candidates possess qualities/abilities in communication, computer literacy, leadership, multitasking, problem solving, and critical thinking.

Experience-Based Learning

The OU Pledge is our commitment to provide experience-based and hands-on learning through participation in programs, student and professional organizations, research, community engagement and more.

Possibilities include:

Clinical internship as part of the program of study (acceptance is competitive and not guaranteed)
Extensive hands-on learning in CDS labs with all labs taught by clinical instructors who bring real-world experience to the classroom
STOP the BLEED training included in MLS curriculum
Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences Society
Connection to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS) and ASCLS-Michigan
Community Health Engagement and Empowerment Research (CHEER) Lab
ECLIPSE Leadership Initiative

Career Information

Job Outlook
Laboratory professions are some of the fastest growing career fields in the United States and are expected to continue to have higher than average job growth well into the future. In fact, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates demand for laboratory professionals to increase by a total of 5% between 2022 and 2032.

Average Salary
The salary for medical laboratory professionals varies according to their level and location. According to the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) 2021 Wage Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States, the staff level MLS national mean salary is $63,728.26 per year and $85,501.95 per year at the supervisory level.

Consider this profession if you:

enjoy solving puzzles and problems
excel in handling multiple tasks
enjoy a fast-paced and challenging work environment
enjoy hands-on science
want to find a science-based degree that prepares you for advanced studies in science or applied sciences such as medical school
want a career that develops skills and provides experience to be used in a variety of employment settings

Resources

Clinical sites with MTIMP M affiliation:

Christina R. Lim, M.S., MLS(ASCP)SM
Special Instructor and Coordinator
Medical Laboratory Science
[email protected]

Academic Advising
3110 Human Health Building
[email protected]
(248) 370-2369

School of Health Sciences

Academic Advising
3070 Human Health Building
433 Meadow Brook Road
Rochester, MI 48309-4452
(location map)
(248) 370-2369

Dean's Office
Human Health Building
(248) 370-3562
[email protected]