Medical Laboratory Science - University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point

Discover the presence or absence of disease

The medical laboratory science (MLS) program at UW-Stevens Point is among the largest in the state and one of only three in the state with national accreditation. As such, our program quality is one of the best in the nation. With clinical site affiliation across the entire state, our program is not restricted to only accredited hospital laboratories. In addition, our students have a 95 percent pass rate on the required national exam compared to 70 percent nationally. Four options are offered in UW-Stevens Point’s medical laboratory science program: Cytotechnology, Histotechnology, Medical Technology, and Medical Laboratory Technician to Medical Laboratory Scientist.

Major Name Change

The clinical laboratory science major will be changing its name to medical laboratory science, beginning fall 2024 catalog.

Why study Medical Laboratory Science at UW-Stevens Point?

As a medical lab science major, you’ll learn and work in state-of-the-art lab settings on campus where practical experiences are provided in a dedicated laboratory with an adjacent resource room. An additional instrumentation laboratory enhances your pre-clinical exposure to a variety of test procedures, preparing you for your final clinical placement in a hospital laboratory.

Sample Graduation Plan Academic and Career Advising Scholarships and Aid MLT to MLS Completion Affiliations

Clinical Laboratory Science-Medical Technology

Hired Before Graduation

Sammy Serkowski ’22

Sammy Serkowski ’22 was hired before graduation at UW Health in Madison, Wis., as medical laboratory scientist.

Hired Before Graduation

Medical Laboratory Science

Capstone Day

From Blastomycosis to Neuroblastoma, graduating seniors from the UW-Stevens Point clinical laboratory science program presented case and research studies at the annual CLS Capstone Day.

Insights of Interns

Alumni Map

Where are they now?

UW-Stevens Point alumni live and work all over the world—so if you’re looking for networking opportunities close to a new home or contact info for fellow Pointer in another city, you’re in luck. Looking for a fellow Pointer near you or want to add your pin? Start with our map.

Alumni Map

What to Expect?

Medical laboratory science professionals integrate biology, chemistry and medicine to provide the information necessary to maintain proper health and diagnose, monitor and treat diseases. Career options available at hospitals, clinics, public health laboratories, epidemiology, research, industry or forensic science include:

cytotechnologist
histotechnologist
medical technologist
clinical laboratory manager
clinical/medical lab sales representative
medical laboratory technician
clinical product/application specialist
biotechnology laboratory technician
clinical research associate

MLT to MLS Online Degree Completion

The online medical laboratory technician (MLT) to medical laboratory scientist (MLS) Bachelor of Science degree program at UW-Stevens Point is designed with MLTs certified in mind who want to advance their education and laboratory career. Students who complete the MLT to MLS program can earn their bachelor’s degree in as little as two years depending on previous courses completed through their NAACLS accredited MLT associate degree program and credits awarded by UWSP for prior learning in the laboratory setting. After completion of the degree program, MLS students will be eligible to sit for the Board of Certification exam at the MLS level. A Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science can lead to a rewarding career in the growing medical laboratory field, with job stability and opportunities for career advancement.

Admission Requirements

Hold an associate degree form an accredited MLT program
Passed ASCP Board of Certification exam
Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75>
Two years of work experience as a certified MLT in a medical laboratory setting

Tuition

UWSP tuition rates

Application Steps

Apply to UW-Stevens Point
Complete the following and submit to the School of Health Sciences and Wellness:
- Attestation from for prior learning experience
- Statement of support from employer
- Verification of board certification
- Resume and cover letter
Contact jeff.christensen@uwsp.edu with any questions!

Sample Graduation Plan

Coming soon

Get Involved on Campus

Joining a health-related student organization, you may help with blood drives, raise funds for overseas orphanages, strategize and plan for graduate school and network with professionals from allied health care fields.

Health Care Organization
Pre-Med Club

Medical Laboratory Science

Navigate Your Major

Major Maps help students map their first day to the first job in their chosen field. While a four-year plan outlines classes to get a degree, Major Maps help students learn how to build career-ready skills and experiences outside the classroom. Each Major Map shows how students can get the most of their UW-Stevens Point journey from enrollment to graduation and beyond. It’s a roadmap to discovering your purpose!

Major Map

Meet Your Faculty and Staff

The faculty and staff members of the School of Health Sciences and Wellness are committed to developing professionals who study, promote and model lifelong wellness for individuals, families and communities, building a stronger, healthier community.

View all our faculty/staff

Dawn Barten

Program Director – Medical Laboratory Science
Lecturer – Medical Laboratory Science

dawn.barten@uwsp.edu

715-346-2509

View profile

Kelly Michalski

Associate Lecturer – Medical Laboratory Science
CLS Chemical Hygiene Officer
Laboratory Manager – Health Service

kelly.michalski@uwsp.edu

715-346-3765

View profile

Michelle Shulfer

Senior Lecturer – Medical Laboratory Science
Clinical Placement Coordinator – Medical Laboratory Science

michelle.shulfer@uwsp.edu

715-346-2780

View profile

Accreditation

NAACLS Accreditation

The UW-Stevens Point Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Information regarding program accreditation status may be obtained from: NAACLS website (www.naacls.org).

Student Outcome Data

Our program graduates are qualified to take the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) examination from the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) and be certified as Medical Laboratory Scientists.

Graduation Rate

Our graduation rate is defined as the number of students entering the professional phase of the CLS program in a certain year and completing the coursework and clinical rotation.

Period	# completed program within expected time frame	% completed program within expected time frame
2019	32/33	97%
2020	27/28	96%
2021	20/21	95%
2022	15/18	83%
2023	20/22	90%
5-year average = 92%

Board of Certification Examination Results

Our certification exam results indicate the number of graduates who were certified successfully within first year of graduation.

Period	# taking exam	# passed exam	pass rate %
2019	29	26	90%
2020	26	17	65%
2021	16	12	75%
2022	10	7	70%
2023	9	15	60%*
5-year average = 72%

*Final results pending

Employment/Placement Rate

Our employment/placement rate is defined as the percentage of graduates who were employed in the field or in a closely related field) and/or continued their education within one year of graduation.

Period	# of graduates	# of respondents	% of respondents employed
2019	32	25	100%
2020	27	23	100%
2021	20	12	100%
2022	18	11	100%
2023	20	17	88%
5-year average = 98%

Affiliations

During your final year you are required to complete a clinical practicum. Our faculty and staff facilitate placements to make sure you find the right fit. You’ll also have the chance to interact with experts at the state and national levels, thanks to our cooperative programming and distance-education technologies.