Medical laboratory scientists are trained in the theoretical and practical aspects of laboratory medicine, which are critical to the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases. Medical Laboratory Science offers a wide variety of career options, including hospitals, clinics, independent laboratories, public health facilities, business, industry, research, sales, and marketing. Students also may use this major to prepare for medical or graduate school. Students successfully completing this program are eligible to sit for a national certification exam offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP-BOC). The UWM Medical Laboratory Science Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), www.naacls.org, located at 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119.
In addition to completion of all required courses, students will be required to comply with a background check, drug screen, and maintain health insurance during the professional training experience (clinical rotation). More information regarding program requirements and curriculum can be found here.
Program Director – Zac Lunak, PhD, MLS(ASCP)CM, HTL(ASCP)
Email: lunak@uwm.edu
Clinical Education Coordinator – Brad De Pons, MLS(ASCP)CM
Email: bkdepons@uwm.edu
Program Advisor – Bill Mueller, MS
Email: muellow@uwm.edu
General Information
Plan of Study (required courses by year)
Immunization/Infectious Disease Requirements for Clinical Placement
MLS Student Checklist
Students apply to the MLS submajor during Year 3 – Semester 1 (fall), and are notified of their acceptance in January prior to Year 3 – Semester 2 (spring). The following pages include information about classes taken each semester, what to complete during each time frame, and what to expect during clinical rotations.
See the Plan of Study page for a detailed listing of required courses by year.
Year 3 – Semester 1 (September-December)
Year 3 – Semester 2 (January-May)
Students attend clinical site tours (January-March)
Students complete clinical site interviews (March-April)
Determination of Clinical Placements by BMS Department (May)
Year 4 Summer Session (June-August)
Clinical Placements are finalized and posted for students to view (First day of summer session)
Students complete general on-boarding requirements through Castlebranch (June-August)
Students complete site specific on-boarding requirements (August-September)
Year 4 Spring Semester (September-October)
Year 4 MLS Clinical Rotations (November-May)