School of Health Sciences and Wellness
Medical Laboratory Science Degree
Major
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. Three options are offered in UW-Stevens Point’s medical laboratory science program: 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.
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.
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.
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.
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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:
- histotechnologist
- medical technologist
- clinical laboratory manager
- clinical/medical lab sales representative
- medical laboratory technician
- clinical product/application specialist
- biotechnology laboratory technician
- clinical research associate
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!
Online Degree
MLT to MLS 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.
MLT to MLS Degree Completion Admission Process
MLT to MLS Admission Requirements
- Hold an associate degree from 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 before taking MLT to MLS courses. Students who have not reached the two years’ experience may work on general education and other program requirements in the meantime.
MLT to MLS Application Process
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.
Dawn Barten
- Program Director – Medical Laboratory Science
- Lecturer – Medical Laboratory Science
715-346-2509
Kelly Michalski
- Associate Lecturer – Medical Laboratory Science
- CLS Chemical Hygiene Officer
- Laboratory Manager – Health Service
715-346-3765
Jeff Christensen
- Academic Adviser; Recruitment and Student Success Specialist – School of Health Sciences and Wellness
715-346-2603
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).
NAACLS
5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
Email: info@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 |
15 |
9 |
60% |
| 5-year average = 72% |
|
|
|
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.
6 Month Clinical
- Aspirus Divine Savior Hospital
- Aspirus Rhinelander Hospital
- Aspirus Stevens Point Hospital
- Aspirus Langlade Hospital, Antigo
- Aspirus Riverview Hospital, Wisconsin Rapids
- Aurora Health Care/ACL Laboratories, West Allis
(includes Grafton, Green Bay, Kenosha, Milwaukee, Oshkosh, Sheboygan and Summit)
- Bellin Memorial Hospital, Green Bay
- Black River Memorial Hospital, Black River Falls
- Columbus Community Hospital, Columbus
- Consultants Laboratory of WI, LLC, Fond du Lac
- Door County Medical Center, Sturgeon Bay
- HSHS St. Mary’s Hospital, Green Bay
- HSHS St. Nicholas Hosipital, Sheboygan
- HSHS St. Vincent Hospital, Green Bay
- Howard Young Medical Center, Woodruff
- Mayo Clinic Health System, Eau Claire
- Mercy Health System, Janesville
- Monroe Clinic, Monroe
- Osceola Medical Center, Osceola
- Richland Hospital, Richland Center
- St. Croix Regional Medical Center, St. Croix Falls
- St. Mary’s Hospital, Madison
- Sauk Prairie Healthcare, Prairie du Sac
- Southwest Health Center, Platteville
- ThedaCare Regional Medical Center, Neenah
(includes Appleton/Neenah, Berlin, New London, Waupaca and Wild Rose)
- Upland Hills Health, Dodgeville
- UW Health, University Hospital, Madison
School of Health Sciences and Wellness
Programs