Coronavirus Update: In response to additional information regarding the global coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, USD will move all classes online and postpone graduation ceremonies until further notice. All USD-hosted events are canceled through May 15. More Info
Undergraduate Medical Laboratory Science
Become a Medical Detective
Working with pathologists, medical lab techs and other lab specialists, medical laboratory scientists are integral members of the health care team.
Majors
Medical Laboratory Science: Bachelor of Science
You'll complete a four year program, which consists of three years (a minimum of 82 hours) on campus and a 50-week, 40-hour clinical internship. This program will make you eligible for a national certification exam and leads to in-demand health care careers.
Four Year Program Guide
The Classroom & Beyond
Highly Certified
The extensive training we provide prepares our students for careers as certified medical laboratory scientists. Our students have had a 100 percent passage rate on the National Board of Certification Exam since 2008.
Intensive Internship
Our students participate in a clinical internship with an accredited affiliated hospital program. They get hands-on experience performing a wide variety of lab tests on body fluids and tissues, helping to determine the presence or absence of disease.
Interprofessional Training
USD MLS students have several opportunities to participate in interprofessional experiences throughout their curriculum. These range from interprofessional games, simulations including role-played patients or top-of-the-line, high-fidelity mannequins, international service-learning trips and more.
After Graduation
The demand for medical laboratory scientists has traditionally been high, with opportunities in a wide variety of settings.
Potential Careers:
- Hospitals
- Clinics
- Public and private labs
- Education
- Management
- Quality control
- Sales
- Product development
- Instrumentation development
Recent Employers:
- Avera Healthcare Systems
- CHI Health Center in Omaha
- Mayo
- MercyOne
- Sanford Healthcare Systems
- United Blood services in Rapid City
- UnityPoint Health