Medical Laboratory Science (B.S.)

4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of South Dakota

Program Overview

The B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of South Dakota (USD) prepares students to become medical laboratory scientists who investigate disease processes, evaluate laboratory results and support diagnosis and treatment as part of healthcare teams. The program combines foundational biology, chemistry and human physiology with specialized training in areas such as hematology, microbiology, immunology, molecular diagnostics and clinical chemistry, followed by a senior-year clinical internship.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students build their scientific foundation through courses such as BIOL 151 – General Biology I, CHEM 112 – General Chemistry I, and PHGY 220 – Human Anatomy and Integrated Physiology I. Laboratory components in biology, chemistry and anatomy/physiology help students begin developing the practical skills required for clinical laboratory work.

Year 2:

Students move into the core of medical laboratory science with courses including MLS 111 – Introduction to Medical Lab Science, MLS 228 – Medical Laboratory Parasitology, and MLS 332 – Intro to Med Lab Procedures. Supporting studies such as BIOC 310 – Biological Chemistry and MICR 420 – Microbiology and Infectious Diseases strengthen students' understanding of biological processes and disease.

Year 3:

The curriculum becomes more specialized, introducing MLS 325 – Med Lab Molecular Diagnostics & Genetics, MLS 331 – Intro to Hematology & Hemostasis, and MLS 239 – Advancing Clinical Quality: Turning Data to Decisions. Students also develop knowledge in immunology, infectious diseases and analytical chemistry, connecting laboratory techniques with clinical interpretation and quality practices.

Year 4:

The senior clinical year focuses on professional laboratory practice through courses including MLS 439 – Clinical Chemistry, MLS 442 – Clinical Microbiology, MLS 444 – Hematology, MLS 446 – Immunology (Serology) and MLS 447 – Immunohematology. Students also study MLS 448 – Introduction to Laboratory Management and MLS 449 – Introduction to MLS Education, while completing their clinical internship through an affiliated NAACLS-accredited medical laboratory science program.

Focus areas:

Medical laboratory science, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, hematology, hemostasis, immunology, immunohematology, molecular diagnostics, genetics, parasitology, biological chemistry, human anatomy and physiology, laboratory procedures, clinical quality and laboratory management.

Learning outcomes:

Students develop the ability to perform and evaluate laboratory tests, interpret results in relation to patient health, apply laboratory technology and problem-solving techniques, maintain clinical quality, collaborate with healthcare professionals and use laboratory knowledge to support disease diagnosis and treatment.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

The program prepares graduates to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) exam. USD also partners with several NAACLS-accredited medical laboratory science programs for the senior clinical internship, providing students with an established pathway into professional clinical laboratory training.

Reputation (employability rankings):

USD reports a 100% job placement rate for its Medical Laboratory Science program and a 100% three-year passage rate on national Board of Certification exams; the program has exceeded a 98% pass rate since 2008. USD also highlights a 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio, supporting close interaction with faculty during laboratory and clinical preparation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of South Dakota (USD) is designed around hands-on laboratory preparation, with students learning current laboratory technology, problem-solving techniques and collaboration skills in USD’s state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories. The program also moves beyond campus through a senior-year clinical internship with an NAACLS-accredited affiliated medical laboratory science program, allowing students to apply their classroom and laboratory knowledge in a real-world clinical environment. USD also provides opportunities for undergraduate research supported by faculty, along with access to grants and travel funding through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

Students can gain practical experience through:

Senior clinical internship: Students complete a clinical internship during their senior year with an NAACLS-accredited affiliated medical laboratory science program, gaining experience in a real-world laboratory setting.
Hands-on laboratory training: Students work with specimens and laboratory techniques that they will encounter during their clinical internships, supported by faculty with current clinical laboratory experience.
Clinical simulation: USD uses simulation sessions involving unfolding patient cases, where students respond as a patient's condition changes and progresses, helping develop problem-solving and collaboration skills.
Interprofessional learning: The Interprofessional Health Education Center (IHEC) provides opportunities for students from different health disciplines to learn and practice together, developing the teamwork skills required in healthcare environments.
Research opportunities: Medical Laboratory Science students can participate in undergraduate research with faculty support, explore their scientific interests and conduct innovative research. Grants and travel funding are available through USD’s Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.
Medical laboratory facilities: The Department of Medical Laboratory Science provides state-of-the-art facilities and laboratories, giving students early exposure to technology and laboratory challenges relevant to their future careers.
Health sciences facilities: USD’s Center for Health Education is a 45,000-square-foot facility containing technology-enhanced active-learning classrooms, health sciences laboratories, simulation rooms and student collaboration/study spaces.
Medical and science facilities: The Lee Medicine & Science Building, home to South Dakota’s only medical school, provides state-of-the-art laboratories and technology for healthcare education.
Student collaboration: USD's medical laboratory science students can join the Medical Laboratory Science Club, while the university provides more than 180 student organizations for developing additional professional and collaborative skills.
Clinical healthcare connections: USD highlights relationships with the region’s leading healthcare providers, creating opportunities for professional connections, hands-on experiences and community engagement.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science at the University of South Dakota (USD) prepares graduates for laboratory-based healthcare careers, with senior-year clinical training and preparation for the ASCP Board of Certification exam. USD reports a 100% job placement rate for the program and a 100% three-year passage rate on national Board of Certification exams, giving graduates a clear pathway into professional medical laboratory practice.

Typical career roles: Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Technologist, Clinical Laboratory Technologist.

Students can develop their professional pathway through:

Career services: USD's Center for Career Design provides career coaching, résumé and interview support, employer connections, job fairs, internship guidance and access to Coyote Careers, where students can search for full-time, part-time and internship positions.
Employment outcome: USD reports a 100% job placement rate for its Medical Laboratory Science program.
Salary information: USD's current Medical Laboratory Science program page does not publish a program-specific graduate salary figure, so no salary amount is attributed to the program here.
Clinical partnerships: Students complete their senior clinical internship through NAACLS-accredited affiliated programs, including Sanford Health System, St. Luke's College, University of North Dakota, Hennepin Healthcare and Mercy College of Health Sciences.
Professional accreditation value: The clinical partners are accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), while USD prepares graduates to take the ASCP Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) exam. USD reports that its program has exceeded a 98% BOC pass rate since 2008 and currently reports a three-year passage rate of 100%.
Graduation outcomes: USD's university-wide graduate outcomes system now uses national workforce data from the U.S. Census Bureau's Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) program to report employment earnings, locations and industries for USD graduates.
Professional networking: Students can join the Medical Laboratory Science Club and connect with USD's broader student and alumni community while developing professional skills.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the bachelor's degree, graduates can pursue graduate study in medical laboratory science, biomedical sciences, public health, biology, healthcare sciences or related fields. The degree can also provide a foundation for students who want to pursue advanced healthcare education, depending on the admission prerequisites of the postgraduate or professional program.