Bachelor of Science in Biology Medical Laboratory Science

Love science and health care, but not sure nursing or med school is your path? A career in Medical Laboratory Science might be the perfect fit! Medical laboratory scientists are the detectives of health care — working behind the scenes to uncover answers that guide patient treatment. With this degree, you’ll be prepared for an exciting and versatile career in:

  • Hospitals and clinics
  • Research labs and public health
  • Forensic science and biotechnology
  • Pharmaceutical and commercial labs

     

Program Highlights

  • 3+1 Program: Spend three years on Ã山ǿ¼é’s campus building your biology foundation, then complete your fourth year of hands-on clinical training at a nationally accredited medical technology program.
  • Professional Pathway: Train to become a histotechnologist, cytotechnologist, microbiologist, or clinical technologist.
  • Career-Ready: After completing your clinical year, you’ll be eligible to sit for the certification exam to become a Medical Technologist—opening doors to high-demand jobs across the country.

     

Clinical Training Partners

Ã山ǿ¼é has special affiliation agreements with:

  • (Reading, PA)
  • (Jamestown, NY)
     

These partner programs will guide you through the application process for your clinical year. (Admissions decisions are made by the hospitals.)
 

Support & Contacts

  • Ethan Kentzel, MS, MLS (ASCP)CM
  • Michele G. Harms, MS, MLS (ASCP)CM
    • Program Director, Medical Laboratory Science Program – UPMC Chautauqua
    • 716-664-8484; harmsmg@upmc.edu

       

Alternate Pathway

If you aren’t admitted to a NAACLS-accredited program, don’t worry — your fourth year will be completed at Ã山ǿ¼é, and you’ll graduate with a Bachelor of Science in Biology.

 

In This Section
Biology Medical Laboratory Science
Biology lab
Program Overview

 

Career Outlook


After earning the Bachelor of Science in Biology Medical Laboratory Science, you can pursue a variety of careers, including:

  • Traditional laboratory and research settings
  • Chemical or pharmaceutical industry
  • Research assistant
  • Testing and inspection professional
  • Quality control technician
  • Secondary school teacher
  • Scientific editor
  • Associate chemist
  • Analytical chemist
  • Technical sales or service representative


According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, careers in biochemistry are expected to grow 9 percent between 2023 and 2033, much faster than average for all occupations. The median salary for the industry in 2024 was $103,650.
 

Experiential Learning Opportunities


Students accepted into this program receive hands-on learning through Ã山ǿ¼é's partnership with the Reading Hospital.


Established in 1934, Reading Hospital's School of Medical Laboratory Science is an 11-month long program to prepare qualified 3+1 or 4+1 (post-Baccalaureate) students to prepare for entry-level experience into medical laboratory science and clinical laboratories. Medical laboratory scientists play a crucial role in the diagnosis of disease by testing patient samples and reporting out data for physicians to use when implementing treatment. Students will have classroom style learning for theory and clinical lab rotations for application of theory in Chemistry, Hematology, Blood Bank, Microbiology, Urinalysis, and Coagulation at the Reading Hospital.


Reading Hospital’s laboratory is one of the largest in the state. Student outcomes for completion of the MLS program include transfer credits to be used toward completing their bachelor’s degree, excellent job placement rates, and eligibility for a national board of certification (BOC) exam through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). The Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences MLS program has excellent job placement and ASCP MLS BOC pass rates for MLS graduates. The program currently accepts 6 students per year so admission into the program is competitive.


For more information, or email Program Director Ethan Kentzel at ethan.kentzel@towerhealth.org.
 

Opportunities for Majors


Science Association

The object of this club is to afford an opportunity for the students of science to become better acquainted, to secure the intellectual stimulation that arises from professional association, to obtain experiences in preparing and presenting technical material before chemical audiences, to foster a professional spirit among the members, to instill a professional pride in the sciences, and to build an awareness of the responsibilities and challenges facing the modern scientist. Membership of this association is open to students pursuing their study in the area of science and related fields. Contact Kevin Burns (kevin.burns@alvernia.edu, 610-790-2865) for more information.
 

Pre-Health Club

The Pre-Health Professions Club includes, but is not limited to, Pre-Medical, Pre-Dental, Physician Assisting, Occupational Therapy, Nursing, and Pre-Veterinary students. It provides a setting in which students who are working toward future careers in the health professions can get together, share information, learn more about the health professions in general, and develop friendships with students who share some of their interests. Members of this organization are composed of students pursuing study in several areas of science and related health fields.
 

Environmental Club

The purpose of this student organization is to maintain the temperate deciduous forest, riparian, and freshwater ecosystems about Ã山ǿ¼é and the community it serves. The organization does this by recruiting new members, educating the public, and holding events that draw attention to the environment. Such events are Eco-Fun Day, trail clean-up days, and hosting public speaker seminars.
 

Beta Kappa Chi

Beta Kappa Chi is the National Science Honor Society composed of chapters which seek to encourage and advance scientific education through original education, the dissemination of scientific knowledge and the stimulation of high scholarship in pure and applied science.
 

Epsilon Gamma Chapter of the Delta Epsilon Sigma Honor Society

This is a National Scholastic Honor Society for students, faculty, and alumni of colleges and universities with a Catholic tradition.
 

The Washington Center Experience

Ã山ǿ¼é students have an opportunity to earn college credit by spending a semester or summer in Washington, D.C. where they serve as interns in a congressional office, government agency, major corporation, newspaper or news network, or agencies devoted to legal affairs, international relations, or business and economics. They also may intern with one of several non-profit groups dealing with the environment, women’s issues, the arts, education, science, or labor relations among others. Participants are customarily juniors or seniors who have achieved grade point averages of 2.5 or better and who have the endorsement of the appropriate academic area. In addition to their internship, students select one seminar dealing with the arts and humanities, communication, public policy, the legal system, business, and government. Interested students should see their academic advisor.
 

Application Instructions


Through a rolling admission process, prospective undergraduate students — including first-year, transfer, and international students — may apply via the  or . To learn more about how to complete your application, please visit our application page.
 

Financing Your Education


There are options to assist in financing your education and making the tuition affordable. Visit our Student Financial Services page for a detailed overview of the process, including a link to complete the FAFSA application, as well as more information about tuition, the tuition payment plan and the tuition deferment program we offer. Ã山ǿ¼é’s Title IV code for the FAFSA is 003233. The Office of Student Financial Services is available to help with any questions you may have. Call 610-796-8201 or email sfs@alvernia.edu.
 

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Accreditation Statement


Ã山ǿ¼é is an accredited institution and a member of the . MSCHE is an institutional accrediting agency recognized by the U.S. Secretary of Education and the Council for Higher Education Accreditation.
 


Get to Know Your Faculty

For more information about Ã山ǿ¼é’s Biology Medical Laboratory Science program contact the Admissions Office at 610-796-8269 or admissions@alvernia.edu. Or reach out directly to Department of Natural and Applied Sciences Chair Michelle Serapiglia, Ph.D., at 610-796-8427 or michelle.serapiglia@alvernia.edu.