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Our faculty members educate students to be highly skilled in the performance and evaluation of clinical laboratory procedures. The Medical Laboratory Science degree qualifies graduates to seek national certification and be eligible for employment in hospital, clinic, research, industrial, and teaching laboratories. The integration of biology, chemistry and medical science makes this a versatile degree, providing our graduates with many career opportunities, including medical school and graduate education. The major provides the foundations necessary for individuals to develop laboratory administrative and teaching skills.

United States in need of Medical Laboratory Scientists

Medical laboratory scientists are certified health care professionals whose laboratory analyses play critical roles in the diagnosis and management of disease. Seventy to eighty percent of information used to make medical diagnoses is generated in the diagnostic laboratory. Currently, the shortage of certified personnel to perform the testing is at a critical level.

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics describes the outlook for medical laboratory professionals: “Overall employment of medical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 13 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations.”

Marquette’s MLS seniors typically have jobs lined up well before graduation day.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Department of Medical Laboratory Science is to educate persons who will be highly skilled in laboratory medicine and who will possess those professional qualities necessary for the practice of medical laboratory science. The degree awarded in this department qualifies one to work as a medical laboratory scientist (or medical technologist) in hospital laboratories, clinics, physicians’ offices, research and teaching laboratories, as well as in biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies and public health labs. The course work provides the foundations necessary for individuals to qualify for medical school, graduate schools and other professional programs.