Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility Medical Laboratory Sciences | University of West Florida
Skip to main content

Medical Laboratory Sciences

student looking through a microscope

The Medical Laboratory Sciences Program is one of the primary components of the University of West Florida’s Usha Kundu, MD College of Health. The Bachelor's degree program prepares students for immediate employment in a medical laboratory as a medical laboratory scientist.


Building upon a foundation of biology and chemistry courses, the Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Program prepares students to enter the MLS profession through advanced training in the medical laboratory sciences.

Graduating with a bachelor’s degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences from the University of West Florida may not fulfill licensure requirements for every state, particularly NY and CA. Please research your potential state licensure requirements.

Upon completion of the program and the achievement of certification and license, medical laboratory scientists are employed in a variety of health-care settings as laboratory technologists, progressing to supervisory and management positions. Others work in research labs, reference labs, public-health labs, blood banks, crime labs, and physicians’ office labs.Graduates take the national board examination offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology to be credentialed as MLS (ASCP). Alumni work in microbiology, hematology, clinical chemistry, molecular diagnostics and transfusion services. MLS graduates from UWF make significant contributions to the health and welfare of the public in Florida, Alabama and nationwide. 

The UWF program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Medical Laboratory Sciences. Information about NAACLS can be obtained from: 
NAACLS
5600 N. River Road Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
773.714.8880
naacls.org


 

The following outcomes statistics are calculated using the formulas required by the NAACLS Annual Report:

Student Outcomes Measures - Section 1
Graduation Year Number of Graduates Graduation Rates Attrition Rate*
2021 28 96% 4%
2022 16 100% 0%
2023 28 100% 0%
3-Year Average 24 98% 1%

 

Student Outcomes Measures - Section 2
Graduation Year ASCP National Board 
Exam Overall First Time Pass Rate
Medical Laboratory employment placement
rates within 6 months of graduation**
2021 96% 96%
2022 100% 100%
2023 85% 96%
3-Year Average 94% 97%

* Attrition rate defines students that did not finish the second half of the program, the clinical portion.