Saint Joseph’s University offers the only Nuclear Medicine Technology Certificate of its kind in Central Pennsylvania. Designed for students who hold a college degree, this certificate program will provide you with the skills and preparation necessary to become a successful nuclear medicine technologist.
Medical Laboratory Science Certificate
Offered at our Philadelphia and Lancaster locations, Saint Joseph’s University’s Medical Laboratory Science Certificate will prepare you for a career performing life-saving tests and analyses in a hospital, clinic, research facility or forensic science lab. This 46-credit, 12-month certificate program will help you play a critical role in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease.
What is Medical Laboratory Science?
Medical laboratory science is a healthcare discipline focused on applying laboratory techniques to diagnose, monitor and treat disease. Medical laboratory scientists' responsibilities encompass sample collection, rigorous laboratory testing using advanced equipment, result interpretation and data analysis. Beyond routine testing, some engage in research to advance laboratory medicine.
What Sets Our Medical Laboratory Science Program Apart
Guaranteed Clinical Placements Within Your First Year
You are guaranteed clinical placements at premier locations in Pennsylvania upon acceptance into the Medical Laboratory Science Certificate program. You’ll have the opportunity to experience working in clinical settings with expert faculty, helping transfer knowledge and skills from the classroom to in-person patient experiences. You will learn critical thinking, collaboration and problem-solving by engaging in realistic scenarios staged in real-world medical environments.
Gain a Competitive Edge in the Job Market
As a medical laboratory science student, you’ll hone your testing skills in dynamic real-world environments ranging from blood banks and microbiology to clinical chemistry and hematology. This extensive training and clinical experience means you’ll graduate with a wide range of employment opportunities. Upon completing the program, you’ll be eligible to take the national certification exam and begin your new career as a medical laboratory scientist.
Preparation to Take the ASCP Board of Certification Exam
Upon completing the program, you’ll be eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) exam, the gold standard in credentialing medical laboratory professionals.
Taught by Experienced ASCP-Certified Faculty
Students in the certificate program will learn from and work alongside faculty who have a breadth of experience working as medical laboratory scientists.
Why Study Medical Laboratory Science in Pennsylvania?
Pennsylvania is home to top-tier hospitals, clinics, research facilities and forensic science labs in search of medical laboratory scientists, including:
- Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania – Penn Medicine
- Lancaster General Hospital
- Lehigh Valley Hospital
- Milton S. Hershey Medical Center
- Penn State Health
- St. Lukes Hospital
- University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
Program Details
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This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
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Saint Joseph's University – Lancaster’s tuition structure includes both per-credit tuition and program-specific fees.
PER-CREDIT TUITION:
The cost of the Medical Laboratory Science Certificate is $670 per credit for the 2023-2024 academic year.
PROGRAM-SPECIFIC FEES:
In addition to the per-credit rate, there are also program-specific fees for the following courses:
- When a student enrolls in MLS 451, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $2,790
- When a student enrolls in MLS 452, they will be responsible for paying a fee totaling $2,790
For a detailed breakdown and additional information, visit our Tuition & Fees page.
Program Effectiveness Data
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YearInitial EnrollmentGraduatedRate2022-202366100%2021-20228562%2020-2021111091%2019-20201111100%2018-201999100%2017-20181313100%
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YearNumber Who Took ExamNumber PassedPass Rate2022-20235480%2021-20224250%2020-202110770%2019-202011982%2018-201988100%2017-2018131292%
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YearGraduatesJobs Within 6 MonthsRate2022-202366100%2021-202255100%2020-20211010100%2019-2020111091%2018-20199778%2017-2018131292%
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YearGraduatesContinuing Formal EducationRate2022-2023600%2021-2022500%2020-20211000%2019-20201119%2018-2019900%2017-20181300%
Curriculum
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Fall
Course Credits MLS 401 - Fundamental Operations of the Clinical Laboratory 2 MLS 411 - Clinical Microbiology I 4 MLS 421 - Clinical Laboratory Hematology I 4 MLS 431 - Medical Laboratory Chemistry I 4 MLS 441 - Medical Laboratory Immunology/Serology 2 MLS 451 - Clinical Laboratory Practicum I 3 MLS 471 - Medical Laboratory Leadership Skills* - Total Credits 19 Spring
Course Credits MLS 402 - Clinical Parasitology and Mycology 2 MLS 412 - Clinical Microbiology II 4 MLS 422 - Clinical Laboratory Hematology II 4 MLS 432 - Medical Laboratory Chemistry II 3 MLS 442 - Medical Laboratory Immunohematology 3 MLS 452 - Clinical Laboratory Practicum II 3 MLS 471 - Medical Laboratory Leadership Skills* - Total Credits 19 Summer Session I & II Combined
Course Credits MLS 453 - Clinical Laboratory Practicum III 3 MLS 454 - Clinical Laboratory Practicum IV 3 MLS 471 - Medical Laboratory Leadership Skills* 2 Total Credits 8 Total Program Credits: 46
*Students participate in required seminar courses during the fall and spring semesters. Credit is applied upon completion of assignments in the summer semester.
What Can I Do With a Medical Laboratory Science Certificate?
Medical laboratory scientists (also known as clinical laboratory scientists or medical technologists) are in high demand. This career path is projected to grow 17% through 2030, much higher than the average for all occupations. A degree in medical laboratory science provides a solid background for advanced training in health, science and research areas, including:
- Epidemiology
- Toxicology
- Molecular and genetic testing
- Public health
- Forensics
- Veterinary medicine
- Laboratory supervision and management
- Medical, industrial and pharmaceutical research
What is the Average Salary a Medical Laboratory Scientist Can Expect to Earn?
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of a medical laboratory scientist or technologist in 2022 is $57,380.
Admission Information
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Applicants must have completed three years of study at an accredited college prior to entering the clinical year at Saint Joseph's University. Students should have completed sufficient overall credits to be eligible to have their bachelor’s degree awarded at the completion of the MLS certificate program.
The following college-level courses are minimum requirements for admission:
- 16 semester hours in chemistry with organic or biochemistry included
- 16 semester hours in biology with microbiology, immunology, and genetics or molecular biology included
- At least three semester hours of one higher-level college mathematics course with Statistics preferred. Other courses will be reviewed for appropriateness.
Candidates who have already received a baccalaureate degree may also be eligible for entry into the program. The courses listed above are minimum requirements for admission. Coursework must have occurred within the last eight (8) years to be considered for admission. If more than eight (8) years have passed the candidate must complete Microbiology, Biochemistry and Immunology or Genetics with a grade of “C+” (77%) or higher to assure academic preparedness.
The GMAT is not required for Saint Joseph’s University certificates. To learn more about the admission process and required materials or ask any questions, please email the admission office.
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- Apply online.
- Submit official college transcripts from all colleges attended.
- Submit a personal statement.
- Submit resume.
- Submit two letters of recommendation.
Visit our Admission Information page to learn more about admission requirements, key deadlines, additional requirements for international students and how to submit your application. -
Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis, and students may submit applications at any point throughout the year. However, new students can only enroll in courses during the fall semester, with classes beginning in August. Students cannot begin classes any other time of the year. Applications received in the fall will be considered for the following year.
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If you are not a United States citizen, you must show proof of permanent resident visa status. Students educated in another country may be admitted if they:
- Satisfy general admission requirements
- Earn a minimum of 550 (paper-based), 213 (computer-based) or 79 (internet-based) on the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL) administered by the Educational Testing Service of Princeton, New Jersey
Students from English-speaking countries may choose to take the SAT or ACT as an option to the TOEFL exam. An evaluation of foreign transcripts by the World Education Service or other approved agency is required.
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Saint Joseph’s is a military-friendly institution and offers assistance and services to veterans and their dependents who are utilizing educational benefits. Benefits include:
- Chapter 30 Montgomery GI Bill®
- Chapter 31 Vocational Rehabilitation
- Chapter 33 Post 911 GI Bill®
- Chapter 35 Survivors and Dependents Assistance
- Chapter 1606 National Guard or Reserves
- Chapter 1607 National Guard or Reserves (REAP) (*if eligible, must be utilized by November 25, 2019)
- Pennsylvania National Guard Educational Assistance Program (EAP)
- Federal Tuition Assistance (FTA)
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