The Support to Expect in the Master’s in Medical Laboratory Science Leadership Program at UC Online

Earning a graduate degree is a big decision that demands careful consideration. This is especially true if there has been a long wait between finishing your bachelor’s degree and starting a graduate program. The laboratory science field can seem especially daunting, but the University of Cincinnati is committed to making it a worthwhile journey that you will be glad you made.

The University of Cincinnati Online offers a unique, comprehensive academic support experience from application to graduation. This experience makes it possible for so many students to gain the skills and experience they need to excel in their careers without ever needing to set foot on campus during their enrollment. In this article, we’ll explore this experience as it applies to the Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Leadership (MS-MLSL) program, and how students succeed while enrolled in this program.

“My main concerns about enrolling in a master’s program were if I could handle being employed and at school full-time simultaneously. I also had concerns about adapting to being back in school after 11 years.
My advice to anyone considering this or another program at UC Online is: Take the Leap! It was completely worth it and went by faster than I thought”
Cory E. | MS-MLSL Graduate

The State of the Laboratory Science Industry and UC Online’s Graduate Program

If you’re thinking about advancing in your laboratory science career, this is a great time to do so! Over the past 10 years, there has been an increase in retirements among those in leadership positions, like laboratory directors, and tenured higher education instructors focusing on laboratory science. Given that the laboratory science field is extremely technical, it can be difficult to find qualified candidates to fill these roles. The Bureau of Labor Statistics is projecting steady growth in the laboratory science industry over the next 10 years, meaning that the need for leaders is only expected to grow even more over time.

Our Master’s in Medical Laboratory Science Leadership program teaches the skills and qualifications needed to fill and succeed in these positions. The program is directed by 2023 ASCLS President-Elect Dr. Patricia Tille, a nationally renowned expert who has published texts in the laboratory science field and championed the advancement of technology and practices to make the field more efficient. Applicants from all laboratory science backgrounds, not just those who are already licensed MLS’s or MLT’s, can be accepted to this program.

The program curriculum offers four concentration areas that students can combine and interchange classes from, including:

1. Advanced Practice: Micro/Molecular Diagnostics
2. Advanced Practice: Immunoheme/Cell Therapy/Trans. Medicine
3. Higher Education
4. Health Care Administration

You can visit our admission requirements page to see what you need to complete an application and join the program. Thanks to the UC Online experience, you can rest assured that you won’t be tackling this process, or any other at the University of Cincinnati, alone.

“I always knew I wanted to be a scientist and help people. The field of Medical Laboratory Science allows me to do both. On a personal level, my career gives me purpose. Professionally, my career is very rewarding and I am constantly learning new things.”

Karrie W. | MS-MLSL Graduate

Student Support that Starts With You

One of the many reasons that UC Online came to exist in the first place was to make the higher education experience manageable. Let’s explore the people you’ll meet when you apply to the University of Cincinnati Online and how each of them will support you from application to graduation.

Enrollment Services Advisor:

Once you fill out a form on UC Online’s webpage, you’ll be contacted that very same week by an Enrollment Services Advisor (ESA). Your ESA will be reaching out to answer all the questions you may have about the organization as a whole and the specific program you’re interested in. These advisors not only guide you through the application process, but they will also help you decide which path makes most sense for your career goals.

Our ESAs are available to connect in person, on the phone, including texting in some cases, and via email. Since they are employees of the University of Cincinnati, you can be certain that the information you’re getting is coming from the right source and not a third party.

Student Success Coordinator:

These team members are the next point of contact that will be in contact with you once you are accepted to a program. A Student Success Coordinator (SSC) will be assigned to you as your go-to point of contact throughout the remainder of your time in the program. These experts are here to help connect you to the right resources, navigate the online platform of your classes, and explain how to interact with your professors and staff in the online environment.

Like the ESAs, our SCCs are employees of the University of Cincinnati committed to assisting you all the way through graduation. They understand the ins and outs of the university, including scholarship opportunities, the program curriculum, and the people that you’ll meet in your program.

“All the professors and staff I encountered at UC inside and outside of this program were very knowledgeable and professional. I found each of them to be very approachable, responsive, and encouraging… This was a very different interaction than I expected based on my previous undergraduate experience 20 years ago when online learning at this level was not available.”

Lt. Cmdr. David Hamilton, USPHS | MS-MLSL Graduate

The University of Cincinnati Online Difference

With these layers of support to help you, the University of Cincinnati Online wants you to feel comfortable making the next step in your education to advance your career. All the courses are asynchronous, which means you can complete the assignments when it works best for you. This allows for more flexibility to fulfill your life and job obligations while you earn your degree.

What a Master’s Degree Can Do For You

We’ve already discussed the concentrations of the Medical Laboratory Science Leadership program and how there will only be a greater need for leaders over the next 10 years, but that’s not the only reason to earn your master’s degree. Laboratory science professionals who earn their graduate degrees tend to see a significant bump in their salary. In 2021, the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) published results from a survey that found professionals with a graduate degree earned an average annual salary of $85,500 to $95,000 compared to approximately $69,000 of those with just a bachelor’s degree.

In addition to pay increases and leadership opportunities, graduates of this program have the opportunity to earn an ASCP specialty certification within any laboratory science core. You can find more details on the career outlook for graduate degree holders in laboratory science on the career outlook page of the MS-MLSL website.

“I had heard of UC’s excellent reputation of their undergraduate MLS (Medical Laboratory Science) program and expected nothing less going into graduate school. I like my employer in Indiana and knew I wanted to continue working and earning money and laboratory experience while pursuing a higher education.

I recently accepted a position at IU Health as a Laboratory Supervisor, a position I was able to apply for because of this degree. Eventually, I would like to become a MLS clinical instructor, then an MLS program director.”

Sarah J. | MS-MLSL Graduate

Taking the Next Steps

If you’re ready to take the next steps and meet the incredible team at UC Online committed to your success, we invite you to apply to our program today!

You can visit our program’s UC Online webpage to start the application process. If you have any questions, we encourage you to connect with an advisor directly via a message or by calling directly at (833) 556-8611 between 8 a.m. and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Don’t wait to make your dreams a reality! Contact the University of Cincinnati Online today.