Below are a few MLS programs for prospective medical lab scientists:Īrizona State University – The bachelor’s of arts in applied medical laboratory science (BAS) degree is available at the Phoenix-based Arizona State University campus. That said, students in some programs may complete a degree part-time or even accelerate their speed of learning for an earlier graduation date. Read on to learn more about the educational requirements for an MLS and what types of certifications may be available to help them discover the best possible job outcomes.Ī bachelor’s degree is typically needed to start in an MLS career, according to the BLS, and this means an investment in a four-year bachelor’s of science or MLS degree program. When employed in a small lab, an MLS may do a variety of tests, but when working in a larger lab, they may be able to specialize. Compared to clinical laboratory technicians, who usually have an associate degree, medical laboratory scientists are qualified and certified to carry out more complex procedures.
There are many other specialty fields that an MLS can enter, including cytotechnology, microbiology, and clinical chemistry.
MLS degree specialties include immunology (carrying out specimen tests on the human immune system and its reaction to foreign bodies), immunohematology (collecting, classifying, and preparing blood for use in transfusions), and molecular biology (carrying out protein and nucleic acid tests on samples of cells).Īspiring medical laboratory scientists can earn a bachelor’s degree in a general or specialized field of science from one of many medical laboratory science schools.
It may be reassuring to know that trained medical laboratory technologists, often called clinical laboratory scientists (CLS) or medical laboratory scientists (MLS), are behind the more complex procedures being carried out on patient specimens in a laboratory.ĭue to the broad level of knowledge required in biology, chemistry, and microbiology, these professionals can specialize in several areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Biomedical Equipment Technician SchoolsĬertification Guides Career Guides Interviews & Features.