FALL 2024 APPLICATION NOW CLOSED
We are no longer accepting applications for Fall semester 2024 admission. The application for Fall semester 2025 admission will be available on the website starting December 2, 2024.
The MLS BS Program is a "2+2" curriculum in which pre-MLS students complete general education, bachelor’s degree requirements, and pre-requisite courses during their first two years, followed by two years of professional courses and clinical rotations after admission to the MLS Program. This program of study culminates in the award of a Bachelor of Science degree and eligibility to sit for a Technologist in Medical Laboratory Science certification examination.
The MLS HBS Program is a "2+2" curriculum in which pre-MLS students complete general education, bachelor’s degree requirements, pre-requisite courses, and honors core/elective courses during their first two years, followed by two years of professional courses, clinical rotations, and the honors thesis course after admission to the MLS Program. This program culminates in the award of an Honors Bachelor of Science degree and eligibility to sit for a Technologist in Medical Laboratory Science certification examination.
Individuals with a prior baccalaureate degree (or higher) from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university complete 18-24 months of professional coursework and clinical rotations after admission to the MLS Program. Students may elect to pursue a second baccalaureate degree, but it is not required. Upon completion of the program requirements, students are eligible to sit for a Technologist in Medical Laboratory Science certification examination.
Individuals with a prior baccalaureate degree (or higher) from a regionally or nationally accredited college/university who are currently employed in a clinical laboratory may opt to pursue certification as a technologist in a specific content area. The student’s employer must agree to serve as the clinical site for all required clinical rotations in the content area. Students are eligible to sit for a Technologist certification examination in the specific content area after completing the structured program in that discipline.
The mission of the program in medical laboratory science is to provide the highest standards of learning and scholarship for all students. The faculty are committed to preparing competent medical laboratory scientists with the necessary skills, attitudes, and professional integrity to become contributing professionals in the healthcare community. The Medical Laboratory Science Program supports the mission of the Department of Pathology, School of Medicine, at the University of Utah.
Our vision is to be among the prominent training programs for medical laboratory scientists and graduate students in laboratory medicine/biomedical science.
The University of Utah Health Science Center is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) through October 31, 2027. For program accreditation information contact:
NAACLS
5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
Email: info@naacls.org
The MLS Program at the University of Utah was first awarded NAACLS accreditation in 1976. The program was most recently awarded accreditation for 10 years effective October 31, 2017, which is the current maximum time period awarded for reaccreditation. NAACLS is a nonprofit organization that independently accredits clinical laboratory science programs. The major steps in the programmatic accreditation process as conducted by NAACLS includes (1) the self-study process; (2) the site visit process; (3) evaluation by a review committee and (4) evaluation by the Board of Directors. The entire accreditation process and subsequent evaluation is based on standards, which are the minimum criteria used when determining programmatic accreditation.
The accreditation award also represents dedication and support from the clinical faculty who oversee clinical rotation experiences for students. The MLS Program is grateful to these individuals and their institutions.
Find more information about NAACLS and the accreditation process.
As outcomes measures of curriculum effectiveness, the University of Utah's MLS Program has a three-year average ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) pass rate of 95% when the exam was taken within one year of program completion (multiple attempts allowed). In the last three years, 99% of students who began the final half of the MLS Program completed their program of study. One hundred percent of students who completed the MLS Program in the last three years were employed in the field or in a closely related field and/or continued their education within one year.
ASCP BOC MLS Examination Pass Rates (%) for Examinees Who Took the Exam Within One Year of Program Completion*
| For students who completed the MLS Program in: |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
| Certification Pass Rate: |
95% |
97% |
97% |
92% |
*As of 7/23/2024
Program Completion Rates (%) for Students that Began the Final Half of the MLS Program*
| For students slated to complete the MLS Program in: |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
| Program Completion (Graduation) Rate: |
100% |
97% |
100% |
100% |
*As of 7/23/2024
Placement Rates (%) for Students that Sought Employment in the Field and/or Continued their Education Within One Year of Completing the MLS Program*
| For students who completed the program (graduated) in: |
2021 |
2022 |
2023 |
2024 |
| Placement Rate: |
100% |
100% |
100% |
100% |
*As of 7/23/2024
- Support the goals and mission of the University of Utah.
- Assist the student in planning to meet the academic requirements for a Bachelor of Science degree from the University of Utah and completion of our NAACLS-accredited MLS Program.
- Maintain appropriate and adequate academic standards consistent with those of the University.
- Provide the student with opportunities to accept the role of a professional, relate to those outside the medical community, grow personally, and adapt to change.
- Meet the student's requirements for education in the profession of medical laboratory science as defined by accreditation standards.
- Provide the student with the cognitive, affective, and psychomotor competencies to meet the entry requirements for the profession of medical laboratory science.
- Provide the student with an environment in which the affective domain of the professional medical laboratory scientist is developed.
- Assist the student in developing techniques and attitudes for continuing education.
- Provide opportunities for the student to become aware of the medical team and its responsibility for delivery of quality healthcare.
- Provide the student with opportunities to grow professionally in developing ethical and moral attitudes regarding duties and responsibilities to the patient which are consistent with a member of the healthcare team.
- Encourage interaction with persons from other medical disciplines in cooperative efforts in areas of education and development of the team concept with shared goals.
The affective learning domain addresses feelings, values, attributes, and emotions possessed by an individual. The affective domain assesses characteristics that, in part, define a medical laboratory scientist as a “professional.” MLS students are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner. During and after completing MLS courses, students will be able to accurately or positively:
- Follow written and verbal instructions as well as all program policies.
- Adhere to established safety procedures.
- Maintain attendance and punctuality for classes.
- Display honesty, reliability and integrity.
- Develop ethical conduct during interactions with instructors, other students, patients, and additional members of the healthcare team.
- Demonstrate preparation for and attentiveness in class and laboratory sessions.
- Maintain courteous interpersonal relationships with instructors, other students, patients, and additional members of the healthcare team to create a positive and efficient work environment.
- Organize tasks and maintain a clean work area.
- Display a conscientious and timely approach to assignments.
- Offer assistance to others for tasks and projects when appropriate.
- Accept constructive feedback provided in the educational environment.
- Develop a methodical approach to decision-making.
- Maintain confidentiality of patient information and test results.
- Utilize laboratory equipment and supplies efficiently for the purposes intended.
- Demonstrate confidence in the operation of equipment and performance of laboratory test procedures.
- Uphold acceptable quality assurance practices.
- Demonstrate a professional demeanor in behavior, attitude, and appearance.
- Recognize the role of the medical laboratory scientist in healthcare.
- Recognize the need for continuing professional development.
After successful completion of the MLS Program at the University of Utah, graduates will be able to:
- Collect and prepare human samples for analysis; store or transport samples for analysis using appropriate preservation methods.
- Follow prescribed procedures, and with adequate orientation, perform routine testing in chemistry, microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, hematology, hemostasis and molecular diagnostics in order to provide quality patient care.
- Operate and calibrate clinical laboratory instruments or equipment after proper orientation.
- Recognize and correct basic instrument malfunction; refer serious instrument problems to a senior laboratorian or a supervisor when necessary.
- Prepare reagents or media from a prescribed procedure, including performance of necessary computations, using an analytical balance, and adjusting the pH if necessary.
- Evaluate media, reagents, and standards according to established criteria.
- Conduct established quality control procedures on analytical tests, equipment, reagents, media, and products; evaluate results of quality control and implement corrective action when indicated.
- Establish or verify quality control procedures, confidence limits, and reference ranges as applicable.
- Perform comparison studies on new or existing procedures and report results according to conventional scientific formats.
- Assess laboratory results and correlate data with common physiological conditions and recognize potential discrepant results.
- In prescribed instances, indicate the need for additional laboratory tests for definitive diagnostic information.
- Prepare and present class demonstrations and continuing education activities.
- Practice established safety measures.
- Inform supervisory personnel of questionable findings or activities such as unusual patient data or unacceptable quality control results.
- Recognize the need for continuing education to maintain and grow in professional competencies.
- Apply managerial/supervisory principles to situations encountered in the clinical laboratory to ensure high-quality services.
- Comply with applicable regulatory statutes.
- Practice quality assurance and performance improvement techniques for optimum laboratory analysis.
- Communicate courteously and effectively with members of the healthcare team, external relations, and patients.
- Evaluate research and published studies to remain informed of new techniques and procedures.
- Utilize information management systems to provide timely and accurate reporting of laboratory data.
- Behave in a professional and ethical manner.
- Recognize and respond appropriately to unethical conduct.
Essential functions are the physical and mental attributes that are required for an individual to be able to successfully perform in an academic or professional setting. The essential requirements for the MLS program at the University of Utah parallel the essential functions, or task-based criteria, that employers define and expect of laboratorians when they are hired. As such, applicants and accepted students must attest to their ability to perform (or learn to perform) the following essential functions:
The MLS student must be able to:
- Observe laboratory demonstrations in which biologicals (e.g., body fluids, culture materials, tissue sections, and cellular specimens) are tested for their biochemical, hematological, immunological, microbiological, and histochemical components.
- Characterize the color, odor, clarity, and viscosity of biologicals, reagents, or chemical reaction products.
- Operate a clinical grade binocular microscope to discriminate among fine structural and color (hue, shading, and intensity) differences of microscopic specimens.
- Read and comprehend text, numbers, and graphs displayed in print and electronically.
The MLS student must be able to:
- Move freely and safely within a laboratory.
- Reach laboratory bench tops and shelves, patients lying in hospital beds, or patients seated in specimen collection furniture.
- Travel to numerous clinical laboratory sites for practical experience.
- Perform moderately taxing continuous physical work, often requiring prolonged periods of sitting or standing.
- Maneuver phlebotomy and culture acquisition equipment to safely collect valid laboratory specimens from patients.
- Properly use laboratory equipment (e.g., pipettes, inoculating loops, and test tubes) and operate instruments to perform laboratory procedures.
- Use a computer keyboard to operate laboratory instruments and to calculate, record, evaluate, and transmit laboratory information.
The MLS student must be able to:
- Read and comprehend written technical and professional materials including textbooks, journal articles, handbooks, and instruction manuals.
- Follow verbal and written instructions in order to correctly and independently perform laboratory test procedures.
- Instruct patients prior to specimen collection.
- Maintain the confidentiality of patient information.
- Communicate professionally with faculty members, fellow students, staff, and other healthcare professionals verbally and in a recorded format (written or electronic).
- Compose papers, complete laboratory reports, and take examinations on paper or electronically.
The MLS student must:
- Possess these intellectual skills: comprehension, measurement, mathematical calculation, reasoning, integration, analysis, comparison, self-expression, and critical thinking.
- Possess sufficient self-awareness to recognize and correct performance deviations.
The MLS student must:
- Manage the use of time and prioritize actions in order to complete professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints.
- Possess the emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect and exercise appropriate judgment.
- Provide professional and technical services while experiencing the stresses of task-related uncertainty (e.g., ambiguous test ordering or test interpretation), emergent demands (e.g., STAT test orders), and a distracting environment (e.g., high noise levels, crowding, complex visual stimuli).
- Be flexible, creative, and adapt to professional and technical change.
- Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situations; proceed safely in order to minimize risk of injury to patients, self, and nearby individuals.
- Be able to work safely with biological samples and chemicals.
- Support and promote the activities of fellow students, instructors, and other healthcare professionals.
- Be honest, compassionate, ethical, responsible, forthright about errors or uncertainty, able to critically self-evaluate, accept constructive criticism, and look for ways to improve (e.g., participate in enriched educational activities).
Satisfactory completion of the MLS Program and successful employment following graduation necessitates your ability to meet the above requirements. If you are uncertain as to your ability with any of these essential functions, please consult with the MLS Program Director. Students in need of accommodations should initiate a request for specific accommodations through the University of Utah’s Center for Disability & Access. Reasonable accommodations will be made whenever possible; however, the MLS Program cannot guarantee the ability of clinical sites and/or future employers to approve the same/similar accommodations.
During the first year(s) of professional coursework, on-campus classes and laboratory sessions are held in the Spencer F. and Cleone P. Eccles Health Sciences Education Building (EHSEB) located on the University of Utah’s Health Sciences campus. Rooms in this five-story facility (158,000 GSF) can accommodate class sizes of 5 - 150 persons and are equipped with advanced technologies integral to supporting world-class educational programs. The MLS Program is fortunate to have exclusive use of the MLS Teaching Laboratory, a BSL-2 space located on the fourth floor of EHSEB, which is equipped to handle 40-50 MLS students at once and includes technologies such as an overhead projection system and compound microscope with camera.
Clinical affiliates of the MLS Program work in concert with the faculty to provide clinical training for students during their final year of study. It is the goal of these institutions to assist MLS students in completing their education by providing a variety of clinical laboratory experiences and exposure to professional, academic, and business atmospheres. The MLS Program is pleased to work with the following health care systems and their clinical facilities:
The MLS Program is open to exploring opportunities with additional clinical facilities and healthcare systems. Please contact the MLS Undergraduate Program Director if interested.
The Cost of Attendance (COA) is an estimate of school-related expenses the student can expect to have for the academic year, or semester of enrollment such as: tuition and fees, books and supplies, room and board, transportation, and some personal expenses. Visit https://financialaid.utah.edu/ for information on the current cost of attendance for the University of Utah. Tuition rate schedules and information on mandatory and program fees can be found at: https://fbs.admin.utah.edu/income/tuition/.
The following online calculators may be helpful for the purpose of financial planning:
The following estimates represent the expected tuition and fees associated with completion of the professional phase of the MLS Program (MD LB courses) as a full-time student during the 2024-2025 academic year:
|
Residents |
Tuition (US Dollars) |
Fees (US Dollars) |
Total (US Dollars) |
| First (Junior) Year |
$11,227.66 |
$3,070.99 |
$14,298.65 |
| Final (Senior) Year |
$6,881.45 |
$1,399.74 |
$8,281.19 |
| Program Totals |
$18,109.11 |
$4,470.73 |
$22,579.84 |
|
Non-Residents |
Tuition (US Dollars) |
Fees (US Dollars) |
Total (US Dollars) |
| First (Junior) Year |
$36,169.07 |
$3.070.99 |
$39,240.06 |
| Final (Senior) Year |
$24,245.94 |
$1,399.74 |
$25,645.68 |
| Program Totals |
$60,415.01 |
$4,470.73 |
$64,885.74 |
- Information on residency tuition policies and exceptions can be found at: https://admissions.utah.edu/information-resources/residency/all-residency-policies-exceptions/
- Information on the University of Utah’s withdrawal policy can be found at: https://registrar.utah.edu/handbook/withdrawal.php
- Information on refund policies at the University of Utah can be found at: https://fbs.admin.utah.edu/income/tuitioninfo/rp/
Students should also plan on the following costs associated with admission to the MLS Program (first year) and requirements for the clinical rotations (final year):
- First (Junior) Year:
- Program Acceptance Fees (MLS only): $75
- Program Application Fee (Technologist only): $25
- Background Check: $63.80
- Document Review Fee: $35
- Physical Examination, Immunizations, & Tuberculosis Testing: Varies by insurance and provider*
- Final (Senior) Year:
- Drug Screening: $36
- Immunizations & Tuberculosis Testing: Varies by insurance and provider*
*Students may be able to obtain these services through the University of Utah’s Student Health Center. Information on Student Health Insurance can also be found through the Student Health Center’s website.
After completing the MLS Program, individuals who wish to pursue certification as a Technologist through the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification should be aware that the current fee is $250.
The University of Utah has several options for students who need financial support (merit- and need-based) to complete their college education. Please visit https://financialaid.utah.edu/ to learn about eligibility requirements, deadlines and application processes. Students are highly encouraged to schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Counselor in the Office of Scholarships & Financial Aid to explore options.
The following scholarships are offered through the MLS Program for degree-seeking students after admission to the program:
- Karen Hageman Brown MLS Undergraduate Scholarship Application
- John M. Matsen Undergraduate Scholarship Application
The following scholarships are offered through professional societies or industry partners associated with the MLS profession and/or MLS education:
- ASCLS Education and Research Fund and Alpha Mu Tau Fraternity
- ASCP Laboratory Student Scholarship
- FA Davis Scholarship Program
- Give Back 365 Scholarship
- Health Professional Scholarship Program (HPSP) - Other Professions
The following scholarships are offered through community partners:
The following out-of-state tuition discount is offered through the Western Undergraduate Exchange:
Please contact the MLS Program via email at mlsadvising@path.utah.edu, if you would like to suggest additional content for this page.
Certification
Certification is the process by which a non-governmental agency or association grants recognition of competence to an individual who has met certain predetermined qualifications, as specified by the agency or association. Certification is not required to work as a medical laboratory scientist, but many employers prefer to hire individuals that are certified. Students who complete the requirements of their program of study in the MLS Program are eligible to sit for a certification examination as administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC).
Visit https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification for information on certification eligibility and procedures. Information on eligibility criteria specific to each program of study can be found under the overview for each program (e.g., Bachelor of Science, Post-Baccalaureate, Technologist).
Note that graduation from the MLS Program is not contingent upon passing an external certifying examination.
Licensure
Licensure refers to a governmental process of granting and regulating licenses for working professionals, such as Medical Laboratory Scientists. If a license is required to work as an MLS in a particular state, it is illegal to work in that state as an MLS without a license. There are currently 10 states in the United States that have licensure requirements for Medical Laboratory Scientists including: California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia. Puerto Rico also has licensure requirements for laboratory professionals. The requirements for obtaining and maintaining a license vary but generally include paying a fee, providing evidence of the minimum educational and professional competency requirements, and proof of participation in continuing education.
Students who plan to work in a state or territory with licensure are encouraged to investigate the requirements as early as possible. Some states may offer a trainee license or have other requirements for new graduates that do not have a valid license in that state. Also note that some states give reciprocity for another state’s license that has requirements that are equivalent or greater than their own.
At this time, the state of Utah does not have licensure requirements for Medical Laboratory Science professionals. Please be aware that the University of Utah’s MLS Program may or may not meet the licensure requirements of some states or territories. For specific information regarding states that require licensure, students may visit: https://ascls.org/licensure/ and https://stateauthorization.utah.edu/students. Additional information is also available on the State Licensure tab at: https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed/#state_licensure
Please contact the MLS Academic Advisor for more information on potential eligibility for licensure in other states.
Primary Faculty:
- Takara L. Blamires, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM - Associate Professor, Undergraduate Program Director
- Jonathan Buckendorf, MS, MLS(ASCP)CMSMCM- Instructor
- Jeffrey Clifford, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM - Assistant Professor
- Sheri Hohmann, MSPH, SM(ASCP)CM - Assistant Professor
- Mallory S. Leetham, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM - Assistant Professor
- Karen McRae, MS, MLS(ASCP) - Assistant Professor
- Lacy R. Moss, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM - Assistant Professor, Associate Undergraduate Program Director
- Omar Muñoz, EdD, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM SHCM - Assistant Professor
- Lacey Murphy, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM - Assistant Professor
- Diana G. Wilkins, PhD, MS, MLS(ASCP) - Professor, MLS Division Chief, Graduate Program Director
- Luisa Battistella, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM - Associate Professor
- Kara Ebisuya, MS, BB(ASCP)CM
Adjunct Faculty:
- Karen Brown, MS, MASCP, MLS(ASCP)CM - Adjunct Professor
Medical Laboratory Scientists, sometimes also referred to as Clinical Laboratory Scientists or Medical Technologists, are essential personnel for all clinical laboratory environments. MLS students are trained to work in clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, and other sub-specialties. Graduates of the MLS Program are prepared to enter the workforce upon program completion. The majority of graduates receive and accept offers of employment within 1-2 months of program completion.
The American Society for Clinical Pathology 2022 Vacancy Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States, revealed the following openings across laboratories nationally:
| Laboratory Area |
National Vacancy Rate |
| Microbiology | 13.9% |
| Specimen Processing | 12.8% |
| Hematology/Coagulation | 16.6% |
| Core Lab | 18.0% |
| Blood Bank | 17.8% |
| Phlebotomy | 11.9% |
| Immunology | 16.0% |
| Chemistry/Toxicology | 17.3% |
Edna Garcia, Iman Kundu, Melissa Kelly, Ryan Soles, The American Society for Clinical Pathology 2022 Vacancy Survey of medical laboratories in the United States, American Journal of Clinical Pathology, Volume 161, Issue 3, March 2024, Pages 189-304, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/aqad149
The American Society for Clinical Pathology's 2021 Wage Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States revealed a national average hourly wage for Medical Laboratory Scientists of $33.13 (annual salary of $63,728.). Hourly wages varied by geographic location, worksite, size of hospital/laboratory, professional education, certification, and experience.
Edna Garcia, Iman Kundu, Karen Fong, The American Society for Clinical Pathology's 2021 Wage Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States, American Journal of Clinical Pathology, Volume 158, Issue 6, December 2022, Pages 702-722, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/aqac116
In addition to working in healthcare facilities as a bench scientist, lead scientist, or laboratory supervisor/manager; Medical Laboratory Scientists have a variety of career paths they can pursue, some requiring additional education. These opportunities include:
- Pursuit of additional post-graduate education such as:
- Medical Laboratory Scientist Specialist Training and Certification in Blood Bank, Clinical Chemistry, Molecular Biology, Hematology, or Microbiology
- Medical School
- Graduate School (Masters or Doctoral degrees)
- Dental School
- Nursing School
- Physician Assistant School
- Pathology Assistant School
- Veterinary School
- Applying for careers in industry or research such as:
- Research and Product Development
- Forensic Science
- Food, Cosmetic, and Consumer-Product Testing
- Medical Product Sales and Marketing
- Field Service Engineer for Scientific Instruments
- Technical or Training Specialist for Scientific Instruments
- Pursuing a career in education such as a(n):
- Clinical Educator at a hospital laboratory
- Professor at a university-based MLS or MLT program
- Instructor at a hospital-based MLS or MLT program
For more information on different career paths for Medical Laboratory Scientists visit the following link.
As a benefit to our students and graduates, we gladly post job openings for our local and regional healthcare facilities through social media. To request a job opening in your clinical laboratory be posted or a link to your facility hiring portal be included below, please send information to the MLS Undergraduate Program Director.
Common terms to use when searching for open laboratory positions include medical laboratory scientist, clinical laboratory scientist, and medical technologist.
Links to local and regional healthcare facility job search sites are included below:
"Embarking on the MLS journey is like an intellectual marathon that challenged me academically, professionally, and personally. The rigorous curriculum is led by quality instructors equipped with the expertise and teaching style necessary to tackle the demanding nature of this field. The difficulty and effort are commensurate to the satisfaction and accomplishment felt after completing the coursework. The program seamlessly blends complicated medical disciplines with practical applications to better understand and serve patients. I highly recommend this program if you are searching for robust MLS education. If you love medicine and want to be a critical part of the healthcare profession, then this is the place to be."
"The University of Utah's Medical Laboratory Science program is nothing less than absolutely exceptional! I feel so honored to have been privileged enough to be part of this wonderful experience. I'm convinced that the Medical Laboratory Sciences professors are the very best that the University of Utah has to offer. Their knowledge, support, dedication, compassion, kindness, and eagerness to help their students succeed, provides their students an environment in which to thrive as they navigate their own education in Medical Laboratory Science. I have never had such an enriching education experience. I will forever have the deepest respect and gratitude for the University of Utah Medical Laboratory Science program, and for those individuals that work tirelessly to make this program amazing. I loved my time in this program; it was an extraordinary educational experience and highly recommend it to anyone interested in Medical Laboratory Science.
"The Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program is an amazing program that really pushes you to be something more than the typical college student. Being part of an incredible program has brought about a passion for both laboratory medicine and academic excellence. The program has changed me to be something more, to be exceptional. I am forever grateful to the faculty and to my fellow peers for everything we have accomplished and look forward to a bright future ahead in the MLS profession."
"I am so grateful for all of the amazing professors and staff in the MLS program! It was an exceptional program with wonderful opportunities. I had a great experience and am excited to start the next path in my career."
"The Medical Laboratory Science program here at the University of Utah is nothing short of exceptional. Every faculty member is passionate about their respective field which makes it easy as students to become engaged in the classroom and teaching lab. The curriculum is challenging and requires dedication but is extremely rewarding. If you are pursuing medical school like myself, or any other further education in the medical sciences, then Medical Laboratory Science is the perfect place to start."
"I chose to switch to the MLS profession and applied to the U of U MLS post-baccalaureate program after previously working in academic genetic and microbiological research. This program has exceptional and encouraging professors, great facilities, and challenging classes. My time in this program was very rewarding. It’s hard work, but fun and engrossing at the same time. If you like applied science, helping people, and are interested in a field that offers good job opportunities in a variety of subject areas, this program is for you."
“I chose the MLS Program because I love to help people, and I find medical laboratory testing to be intriguing and fun. Medical Laboratory Science offers great job opportunities and opportunities to learn about the medical field.”
"After graduating with a degree in microbiology, I realized that I wanted to work in the medical field, which lead me to apply for the MLS post-baccalaureate program. It was the best decision I could have made. The professors and laboratory facilities are outstanding and I never thought I was capable of learning so much or having this much fun along the way."
“This program has been wonderful. It is very challenging for a second-language speaker like me, but it is rewarding if you keep enduring to the end. All of the instructors are awesome, they are willing to help you in every step along your way, and always available to lend a helping hand.”
“The U of U MLS Program has been invaluable to me in my career. It increased my depth of knowledge about laboratory work and how the many different areas of the lab work together. The material I learned in the program has also been a huge help to me in my first year of medical school as well, giving me a jump start on much of the material compared to my classmates.”
“The Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Program at the University of Utah has prepared me to become a successful medical laboratory scientist and deliver the highest quality care to patients. The professors are passionate and knowledgeable about their fields of study. By combining traditional lectures with hands-on training, the clinical courses become more engaging. The program of study provides the knowledge and laboratory skills to prepare students for ASCP Board of Certification and for work in a diagnostic clinical laboratory or in research. I highly recommend the University of Utah’s MLS Program for individuals who want to work in the clinical setting without having direct patient contact or for individuals who want to pursue higher education in the medical field.”
"U of U’s MLS Program helped me get my foot into the medical field and set myself up for further success. Many of the subjects we covered allowed me to get a head start in my studies when I entered my Pathologists’ Assistant program. The faculty and facilities are great, and I had the most fun in microbiology and hematology. The curriculum set me up very well for passing the board exam. Whether you wish to pursue a career in a clinical lab setting or delve further into other areas of the medical field, this is a great undergraduate program to consider!"
“I love the MLS program! It’s organized so well and designed to maximize our success as students. I especially appreciate all the hands-on experiences in the teaching laboratory.”
Student Professional Club
The Medical Laboratory Science Professional Club aims to create an alumni association as well as a networking community for Medical Laboratory Science and Pre-Medical Laboratory Science students at the University of Utah. It seeks to provide members with opportunities that will further them in their academic and professional careers by contributing prestigious guest speakers, volunteer opportunities both domestic and abroad, as well as potential leadership experiences. It will also promote ethical thinking and practice parallel to academic honesty and integrity in order to produce an elite group of professionals ready to undertake the field of Medical Laboratory Science.