Bachelor's in Medical Laboratory Science

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Michigan State University

Program Overview

Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. at Michigan State University prepares students for careers in clinical laboratories by combining biomedical laboratory sciences with mathematics, statistics, communication, and clinical laboratory training. The program is particularly suited to students interested in diagnostic laboratory work, with hands-on preparation that includes a six-month hospital laboratory experience and supports eligibility for professional certification.

Curriculum Structure:

First Year:

Students build a strong scientific foundation through subjects such as BS 161 Cell and Molecular Biology, BS 171 Cell and Molecular Biology Laboratory, and CEM 141 General Chemistry. These courses introduce students to cellular processes, laboratory techniques, and core chemical principles needed for later biomedical and clinical studies.

Second Year:

Students progress into more specialized laboratory and biomedical subjects, including BLD 213L Clinical Laboratory Methods, BLD 204 Mechanisms of Disease, and BLD 313 Quality Medical Laboratory Methods. The year develops practical laboratory skills while helping students understand disease processes, laboratory quality, and the role of diagnostic testing.

Third Year:

Students deepen their clinical knowledge through courses such as BLD 324 Hematology and Hemostasis, BLD 434 Clinical Immunology, and BLD 430 Molecular Diagnostics. They also complete key supporting subjects such as biochemistry and medical microbiology, preparing them for advanced clinical laboratory work.

Fourth Year:

The final stage focuses on advanced medical laboratory science through courses including BLD 402 Advanced Clinical Chemistry, BLD 424 Advanced Hematology and Hemostasis, and MGI 465 Advanced Medical Microbiology. Students also complete the program's clinical component, gaining hands-on experience through a six-month hospital laboratory experience before graduation.

Focus Areas:

Clinical Chemistry, Hematology and Hemostasis, Medical Microbiology, Immunohematology, Molecular Diagnostics, Clinical Laboratory Methods, Biomedical Laboratory Sciences, Laboratory Quality, Disease Processes, Clinical Practicum

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop skills in clinical laboratory testing, biomedical laboratory techniques, disease-related laboratory analysis, quality laboratory practices, diagnostic science, and professional communication, while gaining practical experience in a hospital laboratory environment.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science at Michigan State University is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). The program includes the clinical experience required for eligibility for the national certification examination, supporting graduates who want to pursue certification and employment in medical laboratories.

Reputation (Employability / Official Statistics):

Michigan State University reports that, from July 2018 through June 2021, its Medical Laboratory Science B.S. recorded a 100% graduation rate, 96% certification rate, and 98% of graduates landing a job and/or continuing their education within one year of graduation. These figures are reported by MSU for that specific period and should not be interpreted as current-year outcomes.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students in the Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. at Michigan State University gain substantial practical experience through clinical laboratory training integrated into the degree. The program includes 14 credits of clinical courses earned at affiliated laboratories in Michigan and Ohio, where students apply classroom knowledge in areas such as clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, immunohematology, and microbiology. MSU’s Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program is based in North Kedzie Hall, which provides dedicated laboratory and student spaces, while the clinical phase gives students direct experience in professional hospital laboratory environments.

Key experiential opportunities and facilities include:

Six-month hospital laboratory experience: Clinical training is incorporated into the MLS degree and provides hands-on experience in professional laboratory settings.
Clinical laboratory courses: Students complete BLD 471L Advanced Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, BLD 473L Advanced Clinical Hematology and Body Fluids Laboratory, BLD 475L Advanced Clinical Immunology and Immunohematology Laboratory, and BLD 477L Advanced Clinical Microbiology Laboratory.
Affiliated clinical sites: MSU lists 25 clinical affiliate sites for 2025–26, including Michigan Medicine, Henry Ford Health, Corewell Health, Trinity Health, University of Michigan Health-Sparrow and ProMedica Laboratories in Ohio.
North Kedzie Hall: The Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program’s dedicated facility includes laboratory and student spaces where students learn and train in biomedical laboratory diagnostics.
Professional laboratory preparation: Students develop practical competencies across clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology/immunohematology, hemostasis, clinical microbiology, clinical chemistry and molecular pathology.

Facilities:

Students have access to the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program facilities in North Kedzie Hall, together with the clinical laboratories of MSU’s affiliated hospitals and healthcare organizations. These facilities support laboratory training across clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology and other diagnostic disciplines, giving students experience in environments directly connected to medical laboratory practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Medical Laboratory Science, B.S. at Michigan State University prepares students for professional work in clinical laboratories, public health laboratories, pharmaceutical settings, and related laboratory fields. The program combines scientific preparation with an accredited clinical component, allowing graduates to pursue national certification as a Medical Laboratory Scientist through the ASCP Board of Certification.

Typical job roles: Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Technician

Key opportunities and outcomes include:

Career support: The Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program provides career-related resources, advising, and job-posting information, including opportunities with organizations such as Michigan Medicine, Corewell Health, Trinity Health, and the Michigan State University Veterinary Diagnostic Laboratory.
Employment and graduation outcomes: From July 2021 to June 2024, the MLS program reported a 100% graduation rate and 100% of graduates attaining full-time employment in a clinical laboratory or closely related field and/or continuing their education within one year. The certification rate for the same period was 90% (70 of 78 students).
Salary information: MSU's official MLS program pages report employment and certification outcomes but do not provide a program-specific graduate salary figure. MSU's BLD job-posting page does, however, list current employment opportunities and employer-provided compensation information where available.
University–industry and clinical connections: The program has clinical affiliations with healthcare organizations including Michigan Medicine, Henry Ford Health, Corewell Health, Trinity Health, and University of Michigan Health-Sparrow, giving students access to professional clinical laboratory environments.
Long-term accreditation value: The MLS major has been continuously accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) since 1986. Completion of the program qualifies graduates to sit for the Medical Laboratory Scientist examination of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification, subject to the certification body's requirements.
Graduation outcomes: MSU reports 100% graduation and 100% placement/continued-education outcomes for 2023, 2024 and 2025, with the 2025 certification rate listed as 91% and noted as incomplete because some certification exams were still outstanding.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing the Medical Laboratory Science, B.S., students can continue into advanced study in areas such as clinical laboratory science, biomedical laboratory science, pathology-related fields, or other graduate/professional programs. Michigan State University’s Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program itself offers graduate programs including the Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Science, Master of Arts in Biomedical Laboratory Science, and Master of Science in Biomedical Laboratory Operations, providing options for students who want to develop deeper expertise in laboratory medicine, research, diagnostics, or laboratory leadership.