Medical laboratory science professionals perform, interpret and assure the reliability of tests that are used in the detection, diagnosis, monitoring and effective treatment of disease. Seventy to 80 percent of all diagnostic decisions are based on the tests performed and the results provided by a medical laboratory scientist.
Offered through the Doisy College of Health Sciences, Saint Louis University’s medical
laboratory science program prepares you to take a national certification exam after
graduation to become a certified laboratory professional. Our graduates’ pass rates
are consistently at or near 100 percent, as is our graduate career placement rate.
Following two years of core courses in basic sciences and the liberal arts, and one
year of pre-clinical laboratory-related coursework, you will enter the practicum phase
of the curriculum in a clinical setting under supervision. Medical Laboratory Science
students at SLU can pursue one of three tracks:
Seniors spend 20 weeks in practicum during either the summer or fall semesters at
a variety of hospital laboratories in the St. Louis area.
You will have the opportunity to collaborate with faculty to develop and conduct a
research project culminating in a formal scientific paper. Many of these projects
have been presented at state and national professional conferences. Some have also
earned student research awards or have been published.
In addition to University-level scholarships, sophomore, junior and senior medical laboratory science students are also eligible to apply for a scholarship from the Doisy College of Health Sciences Alumni Association, the Pope-Oller Scholarship and the Zipf-O'Rourke Research Scholarship.
Graduates with a medical laboratory science degree from SLU are qualified to work
in all areas of the routine diagnostic lab including the five major areas of the laboratory:
blood bank, chemistry, hematology, immunology and microbiology.
While most medical laboratory science graduates work in a clinical laboratory in the
areas of diagnostic testing and laboratory management, some choose positions in research,
forensic science and crime laboratories, laboratory equipment companies, or pharmaceutical
and biotechnology industries. Many graduates choose to go directly to graduate, medical
or professional schools.
SLU’s medical laboratory science faculty are certified laboratory scientists who are nationally recognized within their profession and dedicated to developing competent graduates who are responsive to the needs of society.
Saint Louis University takes pride in being one of Barron's Best Buys in College Education
and Kiplinger's Best Values in Private Colleges.
For information regarding the upcoming academic year’s tuition rate, fees and financial
aid, visit SLU Financial Services.
Admission criteria include a minimum GPA of 3.0 in high school chemistry, biology, mathematics and English; four years of math and English, with some physics recommended; and a minimum ACT score of 20 in each subsection (or equivalent SAT score) in each area. The average GPA of admitted students is 3.5 on a 4.0 scale, and the average ACT score is a 22.
The Department of Biomedical Laboratory Science at Saint Louis University has been continuously accredited since the graduation of its first class in 1933. Founded in 1929, we are one of the oldest programs in the nation, and we boast more than 80 years of educational service to the medical laboratory science profession.
The program is accredited by:
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science
5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone: 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
Learn about program outcomes, technical standards and additional program information.
Saint Louis University's medical laboratory science program's majors are guaranteed clinical practicum placement in their senior year. Seniors spend 20 weeks in practicum over the summer and during the fall semester at a variety of affiliate hospital laboratories in the St. Louis area, as well as distant sites.