Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Medical Laboratory Science

For the past four years, 100% of McNeese's medical laboratory science degree graduates have started their careers in a medical laboratory within six months of graduation.

Program Highlights

Medical Laboratory Science Bachelor’s Degree Program Highlights

With a focus on technical skills, safety processes and lab management, the rigorous Bachelor of Science degree in medical laboratory science at McNeese offers a foundation of pre-medical technology course work in anatomy and physiology, genetics, hematology and immunology. The first three years of the curriculum are completed on campus, and the final year includes a combination of campus lectures, lab instruction and a clinical internship.

Impact countless lives every day

Medical laboratory scientists perform tests and procedures that doctors order to detect abnormalities and properly diagnose medical conditions. Jobs for graduates with a medical laboratory science degree are in high demand in the Lake Area because of a growing need for health care professionals trained in the proper methods of working with infectious specimens and caustic materials.

At a Glance

Degree Type: Bachelor of Science (B.S.)

Program Length: 4 years (120 credit hours)

Availability: in person

Catalog Overview

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Program overview

Explore More for Medical Laboratory Science Majors

The undergraduate degree in medical laboratory science at McNeese has a strong reputation in Louisiana, Southeast Texas and across the country. Here are just a few reasons why:

Financial Aid and Scholarships:

McNeese has one of the most affordable tuition rates in Louisiana. Plus, program scholarships such as the Dr. Lehrue and Betty Stevens Scholarship in Medical Laboratory Science help undergraduate students pay for college. Learn more from the Office of Financial Aid.

State-of-the-Art Technology:

Practice your skills and techniques using new, cutting-edge technology and equipment, including digital imaging microscopes, automated analyzers and advanced software.

Applied Learning:

Medical laboratory science majors have three opportunities throughout the year to be admitted into a highly competitive clinical internship at a select site in the Lake Area. There, students gain valuable hands-on experience in a typical laboratory work setting.

Excellence With a Personal Touch:

With a dedicated student services coordinator and faculty advisors, medical laboratory science majors have a variety of resources available online and on campus to help them earn their degree and get the most from their college experience.

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Careers and Opportunities

What Can You Do With a Medical Laboratory Science Degree?

With this degree, graduates can work as medical laboratory scientists, clinical laboratory scientists and medical technologists in a variety of fields and industries. After gaining work experience or earning a graduate degree, you can choose from a variety of specializations such as blood banking, clinical chemistry, cytotechnology, immunology and immunohematology, histology, microbiology, molecular genetics or virology. The median annual wage for medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was nearly $52,000 in May 2018, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Graduate Schools or Programs

Master of Science in Physician Assistant Studies

Potential Job Titles or Employers

Hospitals, Doctors’ Offices and Outpatient Care Centers
Medical, Diagnostic and Research Labs
Transplant and Blood Donor Centers
Fertility Clinics
Pharmaceutical and Chemical Companies
Government and Military Branches

Career Success

In the past several years, 100% of medical laboratory science alumni seeking employment were hired within six months of graduating; 82% of them were employed within Louisiana.

Professional Certification

In recent years, 90% of graduates have passed the national ASCP Board of Certification exam within 12 months of graduating to earn their credential as a medical laboratory professional.

Community Service

Many undergraduate students participate in health-related service projects in the local community and gain valuable work experience. For example, medical laboratory science majors have collaborated with the radiologic sciences program in volunteering at health fairs, community walks, blood drives and donor recruiting events.

Additional Details on the Medical Laboratory Science Bachelor’s Degree Program

McNeese State University’s Medical Laboratory Science Program is nationally accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The program currently holds the highest accreditation award available from NAACLS, 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5156 (773-714-8880), www.naacls.org

NAACLS Accreditation

Upon successful completion of the program, students are eligible for a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. Graduates are then eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) national exam and apply for a state license. The granting of a Bachelor of Science degree is not contingent upon passing the ASCP BOC national exam or applying for a statehttps://www.mcneese.edu/academics/undergraduate/medical-laboratory-science/ license.

Program Outcomes	3 Year Average	2023	2022	2021
McNeese Certification Pass Rate within 12 months of graduation¹	90%	82%	100%	88%
National Certification Pass Rate within 12 months of graduation²	70%	67%	69%	75%
McNeese Graduation Rate (Attrition Rate)³	96% (4% Attrition)	100% (0% Attrition)	85% (15% Attrition)	100% (0% Attrition)
McNeese Placement Rate (employment within 6 months of graduation)⁴	100%	100%	100%	100%
McNeese Graduates Per Year	15	18	11	17

Table Notes:

McNeese graduates passing the ASCP or AMT certification exams within 12 months of graduation
National pass rate for the ASCP and AMT certification exams (averaged)
McNeese graduates successfully completing the final half (clinical) phase of program
McNeese graduates employed by a medical laboratory within 6 months of graduating