Medical Laboratory Science
The educational program in Medical Laboratory Science through the IU School of Medicine Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine is located on the IU Indianapolis campus at the IU Health Pathology Laboratory Building and on the IU School of Medicine’s campus in Evansville at the Stone Family Center for Health Sciences. The cohorts in Indianapolis and Evansville constitute one class under a single curriculum and leadership structure.
Mission Statement The mission of the Medical Laboratory Science Program at Indiana University Indianapolis is to provide a high quality education in the knowledge, skills, and professional attitudes in medical laboratory science in order to prepare graduates who have entry-level competency to practice in the medical laboratory.
Goal Statements The goals of the Medical Laboratory Science Program are to prepare graduates who:
- Have the knowledge and skills needed to provide health care professionals with accurate and timely diagnostic and therapeutic laboratory data and participate as effective members of the health care team.
- Demonstrate professionalism through honesty and integrity in reporting results, respect for patient confidentiality, and a desire for life-long learning through continuing education, scholarship, service, and participation in professional organizations.
- Successfully complete the national certification examination.
To accomplish these goals, the program faculty foster the development of critical thinking and lifelong learning skills and evaluate overall program effectiveness through ongoing outcomes assessment.
Description of the Profession Medical laboratory science is a diverse, science-based profession aimed at accurate performance of medical laboratory procedures on biologic samples from patients. Physicians use the results from these procedures in diagnosing, monitoring, and treating diseases. Some of the tasks that medical laboratory scientists perform are listed below:
- Analysis of simple/complex chemical components of body fluids
- Evaluation of cellular components of blood
- Identification of microorganisms and their antibiotic susceptibility patterns
- Preparation of blood components for patient therapy
- Molecular detection and characterization of diseases
- Evaluation of new techniques, procedures, and instruments
Medical laboratory scientists continually evaluate the quality of the results from procedures and instruments and solve any problems that relate to inconsistencies. Excellent communication skills are required to interact with other members of the health care team, to teach, and to manage individuals under their supervision.
Medical laboratory scientists typically work in laboratories located in hospitals, clinics, physician group practices, blood centers, medical research facilities, or medically oriented industries.
Graduates of the Program Students who successfully complete the senior/professional year of the medical laboratory science program and have a baccalaureate degree are eligible to take national certification examinations. Nationally recognized certification is a requirement for employment in most settings.
Credentials Required to Practice MLS(ASCP)cm, Medical Laboratory Scientist
Licensure Requirements to Practice There is no state licensure in Indiana; however, some states require licensure in addition to or instead of national certification.
Scholarships A limited number of scholarships is available for accepted students. Contact the program staff when notified of admission.
For further information, contact:
Nicholas Brehl, M.Ed., Director clsinfo@iu.edu
Mailing Address:
Indiana University Medical Laboratory Science Program
IU Health Pathology Laboratory, Room 6002F
350 W 11th Street
Indianapolis, IN 46202-4108
317-491-6969
Updated: March 2024
