Student in White Lab Coat Working in a Medical Lab

Medical Laboratory Science

Medical laboratory science students become medical detectives, investigating and determining the presence of a disease process, monitoring response to therapy and aiding in health maintenance. You'll learn in the classroom, gain hands-on experience in labs and apply your knowledge in the real-world setting as a student in the program.

Why Study Medical Laboratory Science?

As a medical laboratory science major at USD, you will learn the latest technology, utilize problem-solving techniques and develop collaboration skills as you prepare to be a medical laboratory scientist. Your education will prepare you to be an essential member of the health care team who is responsible for performing, developing and evaluating a variety of laboratory tests, as well as reviewing results for accuracy and assessing how the findings relate to the patient. At USD we offer a small student-to-faculty ratio with professors who will help you identify your career path and related research opportunities. You'll learn from the experts while gaining experience in USD's state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories. You'll also get experience beyond our campus through a clinical internship during your senior year, which enhances your education by providing you with a real-world learning environment.

Gain the knowledge and real-world experience you need to solve challenges and improve lives as a medical laboratory science major.

 

Degrees & Offerings

Medical Laboratory Science (B.S.)

Bachelor’s
  Vermillion Main Campus

As a medical laboratory science major, you'll gain technology and research skills as you prepare to become the medical detective on care teams. A clinical internship is embedded into the senior year of your program, ensuring you have the real-world experience you need to thrive. You'll graduate prepared to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) exam, which can open the door to in-demand health care careers in South Dakota and beyond.

Medical Laboratory Practice

Minor
  Vermillion Main Campus

Gain a foundation in medical laboratory practice through USD's minor, which includes classes like Intro to Med Lab Procedures and Advancing Clinical Quality: Turning Data into Decisions. While the minor does not allow for graduates to practice as a medical laboratory scientist or medical laboratory technician, it will position you to better advocate for patients by enhancing quality health care and improving outcomes. This skillset is especially important for health care professionals who interpret laboratory results such as nurses, physicians, physician assistants, physical therapists, occupational therapists, pharmacists and veterinarians.

Program Details

Undergraduate

College

Department

Contact

Admissions

Known For Excellence

With qualities like small class sizes, specialized programs and incredible student opportunities, USD is not your typical university. What makes us unique is what makes your education exceptional.

STUDENT OPPORTUNITIES

As a student at USD, the opportunities available to you extend beyond the classroom. Explore your interests, find your community and experience your education to the fullest extent through the following opportunities.

The real-world experiences you gain through an internship will equip you with valuable skills that will set you apart after graduation. 

As a medical laboratory student at USD, you'll participate in a clinical internship with an NAACLS-accredited affiliated medical laboratory science program during your senior year. Through this experience, you'll gain experience in the real-world learning environment as you prepare to become a medical laboratory scientist. 

A unique part of your USD education is access to undergraduate research opportunities. As a medical laboratory science student at USD, you will have the chance to explore your interests and conduct innovative research with the support of professors who care about your success. Grants and travel funding are available through the Office of Research and Sponsored Programs.

USD is home to more than 170 student organizations, including several that are housed in the School of Health Sciences. You may be interested in joining a student organization to make friends, develop new skills and explore your interests.

Explore Student Organizations

Departments & Facilities

Explore the departments, facilities and centers that contribute to your education in medical laboratory science.
Medical Laboratory Student and Professor Examining Test Results.

Medical Lab Science

Our department prepares students to act as medical detectives on health care teams. With state-of-the-art facilities, NAACLS-accredited clinical partners, hands-on learning opportunities and expert instruction, we provide students with the robust education they need to become certified medical laboratory scientists.

Exterior of Lee Medical Building during the day.

Interprofessional Health Education Center

Learn to become an interprofessional team in real-world settings.

Faculty & Staff

Get to know the faculty and staff in the Department of Medical Laboratory Science.
Bio Image for Faculty Member Kari Potter

Kari Potter

Chair-Med Lab Sciences
Bio Image for Faculty Member Johanna Gregoire

Johanna Gregoire

Program Assistant I
Student in White Lab Coat Preparing Lab Results

Learn in State-of-the-art Facilities

At USD, you will learn in state-of-the-art facilities that give you early experience with technology and exposure to challenges you may face in your future career. Our classrooms and laboratories use cutting-edge technology to create innovative and interactive learning opportunities. During simulation sessions, you'll work on unfolding cases in which a patient's condition changes and progresses over time. These experiences prepare you to be the confident, adaptable medical detective that care teams need.
Two nursing students in red scrubs look at a clipboard with a medical student in a white lab coat.

Experience Real-world Collaboration

At USD, we prepare you not only to thrive in your unique career path, but also to collaborate effectively with health care professionals from a variety of fields. With the state's only comprehensive health sciences school and medical school, USD offers a learning environment that mirrors the health care industry – bringing you and your peers together to learn, study and practice as coordinated teams. 

Surprisingly Affordable

USD offers low tuition rates for in-state and out-of-state students, as well as scholarships, financial aid and employment opportunities to help make your education even more affordable.

Undergraduate Tuition & Costs

Learn more about tuition and fees for undergraduate students and see how your out-of-pocket costs at USD compare to those at other colleges and universities. Visit the Undergraduate Tuition & Costs Detailed page for program specific costs and fees. 

Financial Aid

Navigating options for how to pay for college can be challenging, but you are not alone. The Office of Financial Aid will work with you and your family to explore how you can make your college education even more affordable.

Scholarships

USD awards nearly $9.5 million in scholarships each year. View our scholarships to see which ones you may qualify for and how you can apply.



student success story

Camyron Ballard smiling.
I really like the one-on-one attention and interpersonal communication we get in the MLS program, because it’s not easy. The lab professors make sure we get hands-on experience with specimens and lab techniques we’ll be using in internships, and they make sure we know the material to be successful. Our teachers want us to ask questions. Their main goal is to help us succeed.

Camyron Ballard

B.S. Medical Laboratory Science '23

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