Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences (Medical Laboratory Science)

Medical laboratory scientists are highly trained professionals with expertise in the theoretical and practical aspects of laboratory medicine – including chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, blood banking among other areas. They are vital members of the healthcare team, providing the laboratory data that supports approximately 70% of clinical decisions related to diagnosis, treatment, and hospital admission and discharge. Medical laboratory scientists have diverse career opportunities as laboratory professionals, educators, researchers, supervisors, and managers. They work in a variety of settings, including hospital, clinic, specialty, public health, and research laboratories. The MLS Program prepares students to become certified medical laboratory scientists. The program follows a 3+1 format: the first three years focus on general education and prerequisite coursework, while the final year consists of the clinical phase, requiring a secondary application and formal acceptance. The clinical phase spans three semesters—summer, fall, and spring. The summer semester includes introductory didactic coursework and student laboratory training. In the fall, students complete advanced didactic instruction and simulation labs using hospital-grade equipment in a former hospital laboratory space donated by MU Health Care, closely mirroring a real clinical laboratory setting. During the spring semester, students are assigned to clinical sites where they apply their skills with real patient specimens under the supervision of laboratory professionals. Concurrently, students complete additional advanced online coursework that supports preparation for the national certification exam. Graduates earn a Bachelor of Health Science (BHS) in Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences with an emphasis in Medical Laboratory Science and are eligible to sit for the national certification examination administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC). The MU MLS program is currently seeking accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). 

This is an emphasis area of the following major:

• Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences , BHS

This major has the following additional emphasis areas:

• Diagnostic Medical Ultrasound , BHS
• Nuclear Medicine , BHS
• Radiography , BHS
• Respiratory Therapy , BHS