Medical Laboratory Science Program (Bachelor of Science)
Turn Your Love of Science Into an In-Demand Career
Ever taken a COVID-19 test? A medical laboratory scientist processed the test to determine your results.
Medical laboratory scientists obtain, prepare, investigate, and analyze samples of biological material (such as blood, tissue and urine) from the human body in order to identify sources of disease and determine the validity of data that allows physicians to make their patient diagnosis or determine the effectiveness of treatment.
If you have a passion for science and a drive to understand the world at a cellular level, you can turn your interests into an exciting, in-demand career that makes a difference.
This is a job with no direct patient interaction, well suited for those who would prefer to work in labs.
Program Details
Whether analyzing blood and tissue samples, matching blood types, looking for cellular abnormalities, or identifying parasites and bacteria, GMercyU’s bachelor's degree (BS) in medical laboratory science will help you develop problem-solving skills in a clinical lab setting.
GMercyU’s 3+1 Medical Laboratory Science program includes three years on our campus for completing required general education and science courses, and one year of hands-on and classroom instruction at an affiliate program as you prepare to pass the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) boards. The program was designed to increase your employability by graduating with a bachelor’s degree and the preparation you need to gain certification as a medical laboratory scientist (MLS) by passing the ASCP boards.
GMercyU also offers a 2+2 option through an articulation agreement with Thomas Jefferson University. This route is extremely competitive but offers advanced options such as cytology and bioscience.
Read our Medical Laboratory Science Overview (PDF).
The Medical Laboratory Science program offers exciting learning experiences to explore specialized areas, such as immunology and clinical microbiology. You’ll have access to the latest biomedical instruments and computer programs as you learn how to conduct and evaluate scientific tests on bodily fluids and tissues.
Other benefits include:
- Access to clinical training (while still participating in classes) at an affiliate program and receiving credit towards a bachelor’s degree while maintaining eligibility for federal financial aid through GMercyU
- A personalized learning experience with our low 10:1 student-to-faculty ratio
- All courses taught by experienced faculty members (no teaching assistants at GMercyU!)
- Extra support and advisement from the Medical Laboratory Science program’s designated Campus Coordinator, Joy Fox, BS, RT (R) (M) (QM) (CT)
- Affiliations with the area’s leading MLS programs*:
- Pennsylvania Hospital’s School of Medical Laboratory Science
- Reading Hospital’s School of Laboratory Science
- St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children’s School of Medical Laboratory Science
- Hackensack- Meridian Health Jersey Shore University Medical Center’s Florence M. Cook School of Medical Laboratory Science (Neptune, NJ)
*You also have the option of transferring to Thomas Jefferson University in your junior or senior year to complete your bioscience degree. Students must apply and be accepted.
In addition to completing your general education requirements, you will need to complete the following courses for the Medical Laboratory Sciences program:
Medical Laboratory Science – 35 credits (at affiliate program)
| MLS 410 | Medical Immunohematology – 2 Credits |
| MLS 425 | Advanced Hematology & Coagulation – 2 Credits |
| MLS 435 | Immunology – 2 Credits |
| MLS 445 | Medical Chemistry – 4 Credits |
| MLS 455 | Medical Microbiology – 5 Credits |
| MLS 415 | Clinical Immunohematology – 2 Credits |
| MLS 420 | Basic Hematology and Coagulation – 2 Credits |
| MLS 430 | Clinical Hematology and Coagulation – 2 Credits |
| MLS 440 | Urinalysis & Other Body Fluid – 2 Credits |
| MLS 450 | Clinical Chemistry – 4 Credits |
| MLS 460 | Clinical Microbiology – 4 Credits |
| MLS 475 | Clinical Seminar/Capstone – 4 Credits |
Natural & Computational Sciences – 38-43 credits (at University)
| BIO 203/203L | General Biology I |
| BIO 251/251L or BIO 402/402L | Genetics or Molecular Biology of Cells |
| BIO 305/305L | Biology of Microorganisms |
| BIO 313 | Immunology |
| CHM 151/151L | Principles of Chemistry I |
| CHM 152/152L | Principles of Chemistry II |
| CHM 203/203L | Organic Chemistry I |
| CHM 204/204L | Organic Chemistry II |
| CHM 301/301L | Biochemistry |
Students who have an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology - 3 credits
| BIO 103 | Human Anatomy |
Students who don’t have an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology - 8 credits
| BIO 107/107L | Anatomy & Physiology I |
| BIO 108/108L | Anatomy & Physiology II |
Your senior year will be spent off-campus at an affiliate Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, gaining the additional classroom and hands-on experience you need to succeed in this field. Upon completion of the affiliate program, the student will receive a certificate of completion from that program.
Credit Requirement: You must complete a minimum of 120 credits for a bachelor of medical laboratory science degree.
See the undergraduate catalog for further information.
See the Medical Laboratory Science Handbook 2023-2024 (PDF) for all details about the program.
Undergraduate Minors
Increase the value of your radiology degree by adding an undergraduate minor that best meets your personal and professional goals, such as microbiology or healthcare administration.
After establishing a strong basis in the fundamentals of chemistry and biology, advanced medical laboratory science courses focus on specialized fields and medical science techniques. Here are just a few courses you’ll take as a Medical Laboratory Science major.
MLS 415: Clinical Immunohematology
This course studies performance of methodologies and problem-solving techniques in immunohematology. It includes cross-matching, antibody identification, preparation and transfusion of blood and blood components and transfusion reactions.
MLS 445: Medical Chemistry
This class studies chemistry of the human body. Included will be enzymology, endocrinology, biochemistry of lipids, carbohydrates and proteins; metabolism of nitrogenous end products, physiology and metabolism of fluids and electrolytes; colorimetry and spectrophotometry; electrophoresis; chromatography; theory and principle of instrumentation; radioimmunoassay; toxicology and quality control.
MLS 460: Clinical Microbiology
Identification and sensitivity testing of pathological microorganisms from normal and infectious materials by appropriate laboratory techniques. Also included is parasitology, mycology, mycobacteriology, serology and some virology.
For all Medical Laboratory Science course descriptions, please refer to the undergraduate catalog.
Joy Fox, BS, RT (R) (M) (QM) (CT)
Position: Campus Coordinator, Medical Laboratory Science & Radiologic Technology
Did You Know? Fox has spent many years working in the Medical Imaging field as a staff radiologic technologist, quality assurance technologist, and chief and administrative technologist as well as an educator in various institutions in the tristate region.
Read bio
Michelle Kulp McEliece, PhD
Position: Associate Professor, Biology
Did You Know? Professor McEliece’s research interests include various aspects of genetics, Drosophila embryogenesis, cellular aging and cancer.
Read bio
Stacey Lettini, PhD
Position: Associate Professor, Biology
Did You Know? Dr. Lettini’s research interests include the ecology and energetics of host-parasite relationships.
Read bio
Even though you never meet the patients, you get to know them in a sense and see them recover through numbers. ...There is always a need for more laboratory staff as healthcare is ever-changing.
—Caitlin Saalfrank '21, Medical Technologist, Doylestown Hospital
Real-World Opportunities
As a GMercyU MLS major, your senior year will be spent off-campus at an affiliate Medical Laboratory Science Program and their clinical education sites, gaining the additional classroom and hands-on experience you need to succeed in this field. Students must apply to affiliates and be accepted to attend.
Students attending affiliate programs will pay the tuition of that program and a small fee to Gwynedd Mercy University for the fall and spring semesters instead of the regular University tuition (a significantly lower amount). University issued scholarships and grants will no longer apply however, students may continue to apply for federal financial aid through the University. For students receiving VA benefits, the University is no longer the liaison. It is the responsibility of the student to contact affiliate programs of interest to determine if VA benefits can be continued.
GMercyU holds affiliations with the area’s four leading MLS programs:
- Pennsylvania Hospital’s School of Medical Laboratory Science (Philadelphia, PA)
- Reading Hospital’s School of Laboratory Science (Reading, PA)
- St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children’s School of Medical Laboratory Science (Philadelphia, PA)
- Hackensack-Meridian Health, Jersey Shore University Medical Center Florence M. Cook School of Medical Laboratory Science (Neptune, NJ)
Graduates of these programs will receive a certificate of completion. The B.S. degree will be granted by Gwynedd Mercy University.
GMercyU also holds an articulation agreement with Thomas Jefferson University. Contact the Campus Coordinator for additional information.
After graduating from GMercyU’s Medical Laboratory Science Program, your skills will be in high demand with 24,00 job openings predicted through 2032, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Your degree can open the door to these jobs and more:
- Blood Bank Technologist
- Histotechnologist
- Medical Equipment Sales Representative
- Medical Laboratory Manager
- Medical Laboratory Technologist
- Pharmaceutical Sales Representative
- Research Assistant
Melissa Scharf '22
Current Position: Histotechnologist, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
Before graduating, Melissa was hired into the department of her choice and is a strong advocate for the field.
"Working as a medical lab scientist is very rewarding as our results greatly impact patient care and diagnosis. I strongly encourage all students interested in healthcare or related sciences to pursue a degree in MLS. Medical lab techs are in very high demand and jobs are readily available in a variety of departments based on the tech’s interests."
Learn about Melissa's journey.
Caitlin Saalfrank '21
Current Position: Medical Technologist, Doylestown Hospital
Caitlin loves that every day is different at her job, and that it allows her to work in healthcare in a more "behind the scenes" role, with no direct patient contact.
There is opportunity in this field, she says. "Most of the current MLS employees are closer to retirement age, and there are not many people coming out of school with this degree."
What field are you interested in?
[You can] work in a variety of hospital laboratory departments which include but are not limited to: blood banking, microbiology, virology, cytogenetics, histology/pathology, chemistry, hematology, and molecular biology.
—Melissa Scharf '22, Histotechnologist, St. Christopher’s Hospital for Children
Next Steps
Have questions about GMercyU's admissions requirements or transferring eligible credits? Contact us! Our Admissions staff is ready to walk you through the process of applying to GMercyU’s Medical Laboratory Science program.
Email: admissions@gmercyu.edu
Phone: 215-641-5510
Please note: Students enrolling in this program must have the ability to obtain a U.S. background check and other clearances for placement in a U.S. clinical/school setting. U.S. citizenship or permanent residency is also a requirement for licensure within certain academic programs. International students and students who are under DACA status or are undocumented should carefully review the licensure requirements in their state before enrolling in a degree program that leads to licensure. Additional information can be found on the National Conference of State Legislatures website.
Licensure: This program was designed to meet the licensure requirements of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. If you reside in a different state, you should carefully review your home state’s licensure requirements prior to enrolling in this program. For more information, please visit our Program Licensure Requirement page.
At GMercyU, we strive to make a quality education accessible to all through financial aid, scholarships, and grants. As a military-friendly university, we welcome service members and participate in all VA educational benefits programs.
While at an affiliate MLS program: Students who receive tuition assistance from the Veterans Administration (VA) should be aware that once they enter the affiliate program, the University will no longer be the liaison for processing VA tuition transactions. It is the student’s responsibility to contact the affiliate program to find out if they are a VA participating program prior to applying. The certifying official at a VA participating affiliate will assume the role of processing VA benefits while enrolled in the affiliate program. The student should also contact the VA directly for additional information.
Get the training you need for a career in medical laboratory science. Get started today!