Medical laboratory scientists (clinical laboratory scientists, medical technologists) perform most of the clinical tests conducted in hospital, veterinary, state, and health laboratories.  Most institutions employing medical laboratory scientists require them to be board-certificated by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).  (Some institutions also accept certification through the American Medical Technologists (AMT).)  The Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Concentration and the Medical Laboratory Science, Academic Concentration degrees are two alternative routes to obtaining ASCP certification.  The Academic Concentration is also excellent preparation for graduate school in many biomedical-related fields. 
The Academic Concentration is designed to result in a Bachelor of Science degree in four years.  When you finish the Academic Concentration you will receive a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science, but you will not be eligible to take the ASCP Board of Certification exam.  In order to become eligible to take the certification exam, you must first be accepted into, and complete, a six- to twelve-month clinical experience at an independent hospital-based MLS program that is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).  LSSU cannot guarantee acceptance into any of the hospital-based programs.

The Clinical Concentration is designed to be completed in four and a half years.  When you finish the Clinical Concentration you will receive a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science and you will be eligible to take the ASCP Board of Certification exam.  The last six months of the Clinical Concentration consist of a clinical experience at one of our partner hospital labs (our Clinical Affiliates). Because our Clinical Affiliates can accommodate only a limited number of students each year, admission into the Clinical Concentration is by competitive application in the spring of your junior year.

Available degrees:

• Medical Laboratory Science, Academic Concentration
• Medical Laboratory Science, Clinical Concentration