The University of Vermont's Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree program integrates the study of life science and medicine with practical laboratory experience in clinical and public health settings. Through focused coursework and hands-on experience in diagnostic laboratory medicine and public health, students develop organizational skills, quantitative reasoning ability, and are prepared to enter professional practice or pursue graduate education.
Mission
The mission of the University of Vermont's Medical Laboratory Science Program is to educate, train, and graduate professionally competent and ethical individuals committed to lifelong learning, and who are prepared to meet current and future workplace challenges in medical laboratory science.
Educational Goals
- Graduates will be competent to function as entry-level medical laboratory scientists in any clinical or public health laboratory environment;
- Graduates will demonstrate problem-solving and critical thinking skills;
- Graduates will demonstrate effective written and verbal communication skills;
- Graduates will demonstrate the highest professional and ethical standards.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of the bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science, all MLS graduates will demonstrate:
- Competency to perform a full range of testing in a contemporary clinical or public health laboratory encompassing pre-analytical, analytical, and post-analytical components of laboratory services:
- Proficiency to interpret results, use critical thinking skills to problem solve, and apply statistical approaches when evaluating data;
- Ability to identify and trouble-shoot technical problems in laboratory procedures and instrumentation;
- Professional conduct as a member of the healthcare team and effective communication skills;
- An understanding of basic concepts related to quality assurance, quality improvement, laboratory education, administrative operation, information technology, and clinical decision making.
Upon completion of the bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science Clinical Laboratory Science concentration, graduates will demonstrate:
- Ability to critically evaluate laboratory results and correlate them with human disease;
- Ability to determine the appropriate utilization of laboratory tests for screening, monitoring, therapy, and prognosis of human diseases;
- Adherence to standard operating procedures regarding safe work practices related to clinical specimens and infectious agents;
- Application of governmental regulations and standards as applied to medical laboratory practice in the clinical setting.
Upon completion of the bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science Public Health Laboratory Science concentration, graduates will demonstrate:
- Ability to critically evaluate microbiology laboratory tests and results and correlate with infectious disease;
- Adherence to standard operating procedures regarding safe work practices related to microbial agents;
- Knowledge of laboratory testing as a vital component of broader public health surveillance systems.
The core curriculum includes courses in anatomy and physiology, chemistry, organic chemistry, microbiology, biochemistry, immunology, and mathematics. Students choose either the clinical laboratory science concentration or the public health laboratory science concentration, which focuses on microbiology.
Clinical and Public Health Practicum Experience
Students complete an intensive laboratory experience at an off-campus affiliate site during their final semester. They work one-on-one with a staff technologist concentrating in clinical laboratory or public health laboratory science to apply theoretical knowledge, recognize and solve problems, and perform laboratory procedures using state-of-the-art computer instrumentation and the most current methods and technologies. View Insufficient Number of Clinical Rotation Sites Policy (PDF) and Service Work by Students During Clinical Rotations Policy (PDF).
Clinical Laboratory Science Affiliates
- Albany Medical Center, Albany NY
- Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA
- Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA
- Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Plattsburgh, NY
- Elliot Hospital, Manchester, NH
- Glens Falls Hospital, Glens Falls, NY
- Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA
- NorDx, Portland and Scarborough, ME
- Rutland Regional Medical Center, Rutland, VT
- St. Peter's Hospital, Albany, NY
- Yale New Haven Hospital, New Haven, CT
- The University of Vermont Medical Center, Burlington, VT
Public Health Laboratory Science Affiliates
- District of Columbia Health Department, Washington D.C.
- New Hampshire Department of Health Laboratory, Concord, NH
- Vermont Department of Health Laboratory, Burlington, VT
- Wadsworth Center, New York Department of Health, Albany, NY
Program Effectiveness Data
| Program Area | UVM Average | NAACLS Benchmark | ASCP National Average |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Completion Rate for Students Entering Professional (Third Year) Program |
100%* |
70% | -- |
|
ASCP Certification Exam Pass Rate |
93%* |
75% | 79%* |
|
Job Placement Rate for Graduates |
100%* |
70% | -- |
*Percentage represents three-year average for 2015-2017
Certification
Graduates of the MLS Clinical Laboratory Science concentration are eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology certification exam. Certification as a professional medical laboratory scientist is required for work in many clinical diagnostic laboratories.
Accreditation
The Medical Laboratory Science Program, Clinical Laboratory Science Concentration at the University of Vermont has been re-accredited for the period April 30, 2015 - April 30, 2022 by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science, 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119; (773) 714-8880.
