What Can You Do With A Medical Laboratory Science Degree?

If you’re passionate about health care, you’ve got a wide variety of degree programs to consider. Plus, plenty of potential career paths to follow. One popular and sought-after option is a medical laboratory science degree.

But what can you do with a medical laboratory science degree? Let’s examine the options.

What Is a Medical Laboratory Science Degree?

Medical laboratory science is a critical field in modern health care. Its focus is on the diagnosis and treatment of a wide variety of diseases. Medical laboratory scientist (MLS) teams use various medical technologies and laboratory tests, like blood and urine analyses, to help in the development of custom treatment plans for individual patients and even the discovery of new drugs or treatments.

Often, these professionals begin as Medical/Clinical Laboratory Technologists (MLT/CLT) and progress to the position of MLS. As their careers progress, the tests and diagnostic work these scientists complete typically grow more complex, making them even more vital to healthcare organizations.

Furthermore, a degree in medical or clinical laboratory science introduces students to the many types of lab tests and methods used by clinical laboratory scientists. It will typically provide them with hands-on opportunities to perform tests themselves, as well as learn to analyze test results.

Different Types of Laboratory Science Degrees:

You can study medical laboratory science at the University of Cincinnati to earn three distinct degrees:

1. Bachelor’s in Medical Laboratory Science: Provides the knowledge you need to become a certified medical laboratory scientist
2. Master’s in Medical Laboratory Science Leadership: This graduate degree builds on the skills learned in the bachelor’s degree with an emphasis on advanced techniques and leadership components
3. Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science: This is the highest level of medical lab science education and teaches the skills needed to manage high-complexity laboratory environments

All of these degree programs are offered completely online through the University of Cincinnati Online making it one of the few full degree pathways to advance in laboratory science available online.

What Can You Do with a Medical Laboratory Science Degree? 5 Potential Careers

With a medical lab science degree, you can pursue a healthcare career in a number of different  establishments, including helping hospitals, clinics, and medical professionals in a number of roles. Here are some of the more popular career paths and annual salaries* chosen by lab science professionals:

#1 – Medical Laboratory Manager/Administrator

Medical Lab manager or administrators are in charge of laboratory operations, making sure best practices are followed, equipment is maintained appropriately, and necessary supplies are provided for lab workers, everything is documented, and the lab is compliant with relevant standards.

Average Salary: $80,000 – $120,000

#2 – Laboratory Science Educator

If you’re passionate about someday educating students and training them to pursue their own medical lab careers, this could be the role for you. Laboratory science educators can either teach students directly or provide guidance, support, and learning materials or planned activities for college and university programs.

Average Salary: $60,000 – $100,000

#3 – Advanced Practice Specialist

These are healthcare professionals with (as the name says) an advanced level of expertise and working duties. Typically educated to a master’s level and experts in problem-solving, they might operate in a hospital laboratory or similar setting, working to ensure proper diagnosis procedures are followed or even researching new ways to diagnose and treat patients.

Average Salary: $60,000 – $110,000

#4 – Cytotechnologists

If pathology interests you, a Cytotechnologist works very closely to those in this field. These laboratory professionals evaluate patients cell samples to notice subtle abnormalities. These can help diagnose a number of serious conditions including hormonal abnormalities and cancer.

Average Salary: $60,000 – $94,000

#5 – Forensic Analyst

With a medical laboratory science degree focused on forensic analysis, you can enter into the law enforcement field. In addition to various other roles, graduates who enter into forensic analysis conduct tests on hair, blood, and bodily fluids to identify suspects and help law enforcement officials catch and charge criminals.

Average Salary: $100,000 – $140,000

*Salary data is complied from O*NET Resource Center by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 License

What Are the Benefits of Earning a Medical Laboratory Science Degree?

Advancing your career in medical lab science is a smart move for several reasons:

Varied Job Opportunities

As the listed job opportunities above show, there are many career paths open to lab science graduates. These professionals can be found in hospitals, clinics, and even forensic laboratories.

A Stable and Growing Industry

There will always be a need for medical lab experts to help with diagnosing, treating, and conducting tests, and according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the industry is steadily growing. In the wake of recent industry changes, such as growing vacancies, and the increased attention on the lab science field brought on by recent events such as the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020, there will be plenty of advancement opportunities in the future.

Flexible Learning Solutions

You don’t necessarily have to give up your existing work to study laboratory science. There are flexible online programs with asynchronous learning, like those offered through UC Online to help you maintain a work-life balance with school.

Through UC Online, you’ll also get unparalleled student support from dedicated staff here to support you from application to graduation. World-renowned faculty, like our master’s and doctorate program director, 2024 American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science President, Dr. Patricia Tille, are here to provide you with the tools you need to excel in the industry and reach new career heights.

Accelerate Your Medical Lab Science Career with UC 

Now that you know what you can do with a medical laboratory science degree, you might start looking for a degree course that suits your schedule, conducted by a trusted educational institution. That’s where UC’s online laboratory science programs come in.

We offer medical laboratory science degrees at the bachelor’s, master’s, and even doctorate level to help you reach any career height you want.

Providing all the skills and know-how you need for a successful career in medical laboratory science, these courses, taught by world-class faculty are fully flexible to provide you with the best experience. If you’re ready to explore your options in laboratory science through the University of Cincinnati, contact the UC Online Staff today!

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What’s the best major to declare if I want to work in a lab?

If you want to work in a lab, then a scientific subject like biology, chemistry, or microbiology are an ideal major choice. A degree in laboratory science is the perfect step for future lab workers. There are many fields to advance your career in once you begin studying laboratory science.

Is a degree in medical laboratory science worth it?

Yes, a degree in medical laboratory science is absolutely worth it—especially if you have an interest in the field and aspirations of working in laboratory settings delivering crucial results. It’s an invaluable qualification to bolster your resume and help you follow a range of lab-based careers.