Medical Laboratory Sciences
Salve Regina University's medical laboratory sciences program develops the knowledge and technical skills needed to understand, perform and evaluate tests and procedures carried out in hospitals, clinics and laboratories. Our 3+1 bachelor's degree and 4+1 dual degree options prepare students for rewarding careers in this growing field.
Meet the Demand for Qualified Professionals
Our 3+1 option leading to the B.S. in medical laboratory sciences includes three years of coursework at Salve Regina, followed by a 15-month clinical placement at an affiliated hospital. The 4+1 dual-degree option is designed for students who are completing their B.S. in biology at Salve Regina and wish to pursue the B.S. in medical laboratory sciences following completion of the biology program.
Entrance requirements include six prerequisite courses (which fulfill the required electives for the B.S. in biology), a cumulative GPA of 2.5 and a GPA of 2.5 in science and math courses.
Both programs are designed to address the nationwide shortage of health care professionals who are qualified in medical laboratory sciences. Students who successfully complete the required coursework and clinical placement are eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology's national certification exam to become a medical laboratory scientist.
Program Spotlight: Clinical Placement
The 15-month clinical placement provides the academic and practical experiences necessary to attain entry-level competency in the practice field.
Throughout their clinical placement, students receive didactic and clinical rotation experience in the areas of microbiology, hematology, coagulation, urinalysis, chemistry, immunohematology, immunology and molecular biology. They also have opportunities to develop supervisory and management skills.
Our Faculty
Using a hands-on approach to the exploration of scientific methods, our faculty prepare students for the challenge of exciting careers in the biological sciences. Consistent with the mission of the University, we provide students with the scientific knowledge and ethical understanding necessary for critical and creative thinking, thoughtful and careful analysis and sound judgment.
Life After Salve Regina
Medical laboratory science is a profession in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of medical laboratory scientists is projected to grow 12% through 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.
Students who earn the degree in medical laboratory sciences can pursue a variety of specialties, including clinical chemistry, cytotechnology, hematology, histocompatibility, immunohematology, immunology, laboratory product development and sales, microbiology, molecular biology, molecular diagnostics, mycology, parasitology and urinalysis.
Possible employers include hospitals, public and private laboratories, pharmaceutical and chemical companies, research and forensic laboratories, veterinary clinics, transplant and blood donor centers, fertility clinics, and colleges and universities.
This is a great program if you love helping people and want to be involved in the medical field. You don’t have to work in a hospital - you could work in a small doctor’s office, or for a large corporation like a pharmaceutical company, or for the state in public health. This is a great clinical career and it can help you move to other careers if need be, like becoming involved in administration or becoming a doctor. I would definitely recommend this program to aspiring students who want to learn about human biology while helping others in a clinical setting.
Elizabeth Tullo ’15, medical laboratory scientist, Our Lady of Fatima Hospital
B.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences: 3+1 Option
Students complete a minimum of 120 credits to earn their bachelor's degree, including 92-93 credits (23 courses) in their major.
Required courses:
- BCH403: Biochemistry
- BIO111: General Biology I
- BIO112: General Biology II
- BIO210: Microbiology
- BIO220: Cell Biology and Chemistry
- BIO253: Genetics: Classical, Molecular and Population
- BIO305: Human Anatomy
- BIO324: Fundamentals of Medical Laboratory Sciences
- BIO325: Human Physiology
- BIO471: Biology Seminar
- CHM113: General Chemistry I
- CHM114: General Chemistry II
- CHM205: Organic Chemistry I
- CHM206: Organic Chemistry II
- MTH191: Applied Calculus or MTH195: Calculus I
- STA173: Statistical Methods
Required clinical courses:
- MED410: Clinical Microbiology
- MED420: Clinical Chemistry
- MED430: Immunohematology
- MED440: Hematology and Coagulation
- MED460: Molecular Pathology
- MED470: Professional Topics in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- MED480: Clinical Immunology
Upon completion of the clinical program, students receive a B.S. in medical laboratory sciences and are eligible to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathology's national examination to become a certified medical laboratory scientist.
Some states have additional certification requirements. Students should meet with their advisor as early as possible to plan for any additional requirements in the state where they plan to work.
B.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences: 4+1 Option
To earn the dual degree, students complete the courses listed below and must have completed the B.S. in biology prior to matriculation into the program.
7 courses | 32 credits
Prerequisite courses required for admission to the 4+1 dual degree program:
- BIO210: Microbiology
- BIO305: Human Anatomy
- BIO325: Human Physiology
- BIO324: Fundamentals of Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- BIO420: Immunology or BIO450: Pathophysiology
Students also choose one of the following:
- BCH404: Advanced Biochemistry
- BIO342: Microbiology of Infectious Diseases
- BIO370: Molecular Biology
- BIO497: Undergraduate Research
Required clinical courses:
- MED410: Clinical Microbiology
- MED420: Clinical Chemistry
- MED430: Immunohematology
- MED440: Hematology and Coagulation
- MED460: Molecular Pathology
- MED470: Professional Topics in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
- MED480: Clinical Immunology
Upon completion of the clinical program, students receive a B.S. in medical laboratory sciences and are eligible to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathology's national examination to become a certified medical laboratory scientist.
Some states have additional certification requirements. Students should meet with their advisor as early as possible to plan for any additional requirements in the state where they plan to work.