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Medical Laboratory Science

The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree trains students to discover the presence or absence of diseases in patients. The program cultivates proficiency in a full range of laboratory diagnostic tests in areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, and microbiology. These tests provide important data that physicians use in diagnosing and treating patients.

The MLS program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

Program graduates are eligible for a national certification examination.

Medical Laboratory Science

How can we better detect disease and help doctors find the best treatment for their patients? Medical Laboratory Scientists are health care professionals who conduct special diagnostic tests in a lab to help discover the presence or absence of disease and provide important data that physicians use in diagnosing and treating their patients.

The Medical Laboratory Science degree provides a curriculum to train students to practice medical laboratory science in diagnostic laboratories or other health care related settings. Successful completion of the program qualifies the student to sit for certification examinations.

Students declare a Pre-MLS Major and are accepted into the program in their Junior year. Once in the program, students have two semesters of intensive coursework after which they intern in a clinical facility for one semester. The program in medical laboratory science is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Program graduates are eligible for a national certification examination.

MLS Admittance Rates

2018-2019: 94%
2019-2020: 91%
2020-2021: 94%
2021-2022: 92%
2022-2023: 86%
2023-2024: 92%

ASCP Board of Certification Exam for MLS Graduates

YearNumber TakingNational AverageBYU AveragePercentage Passed
20174151352795%
20183551351891.40%
20192150349790.5%
20202449648496%
20213248048784%
20223047347380%
20232847648496%

Graduate Job Placement Rates: 100%

Year Graduate Job Placement Rate
2018 100%
2019 100%
2020 100%
2021 100%
2022 100%
2023 100%

Graduation Rates

YearPercentage
2020100%
202189%
2022100%
2023100%

External Certification Rates

YearPercentage
2020100%
202185%
202289%
202388%

Medical Laboratory Science Accrediting Agency

NAACLS, 5600N. River Rd, Suite 720 Rosemont IL, 60018-5119
ph: 773.714.8880; fx: 773.714.8886; info@naacls.org

For More Information

If you have questions or want to learn more about the MLS program, please contact Kristen Skinner, MLS Program Assistant - Kristen.Skinner@byu.edu or (801) 422-5314.

If you run into any technical issues with the Medical Laboratory Sciences application, please contact Life Sciences IT - lscsr@byu.edu or 801-422-7178.

What can I do with my degree?

Laboratory Scientist

Perform diagnostic testing in a hospital or reference laboratory.

Forensic Scientist

Collect and analyze DNA evidence to take to court.

Research and Development

Help to develop new diagnostic tests that can improve patient care.

Medical Diagnostic Sales

Help to market new diagnostic tests to hospitals and clinical laboratories.

And More:

From analyzer service representative to laboratory information system specialist to clinical laboratory administration, a medical laboratory science degree offers many clinical career options!
The Next Step
Start a Career
Laboratory Specialist
Medical/Professional School
Graduate School

A MLS major opens the door to start working as soon as you graduate. Medical laboratory scientists are in high demand and many students have multiple job offers before finishing their degree.

Medical laboratory scientists can specialize in specific laboratory disciplines such as hematology, microbiology, chemistry, blood banking, or molecular biology. Laboratory specialists provide expertise and leadership in the clinical field.

The clinical experience that students receive in the MLS major provides excellent preparation for medical school, PA school, or other medical professions. Many of the required courses for medical school and other professional schools are covered in the program.

A graduate degree prepares you to pursue further opportunities in the MLS field, including directing a clinical laboratory, teaching medical laboratory science at a college or university, or conduction your own research to develop diagnostic tests.

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