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MS in Medical Laboratory Science

At the heart of a patient-centered health care team, managing labs and running tests that will inform diagnosis and treatment.

A career in medical laboratory science combines the challenges of medicine, pathology, basic sciences, and clinical laboratory sciences. Using state-of-the-art biomedical instruments, critical thinking skills, and molecular techniques, medical laboratory scientists are detectives. Loyola's two-year Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science will give you the tools you need to enter this low-profile, but critically important, aspect of the health care field.

*NEW! Interested in only one discipline of Medical Laboratory Science?  Learn about our new Clinical Certificate programs

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Our Commitment to You

Graduates with a Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values to start a career in the lab.

KNOWLEDGE

  • Adequate knowledge and background experience to qualify for and pass national certification examinations
  • Depth of learning in various major fields of medical laboratory science

SKILLS

  • Competencies to work as an entry-level medical laboratory scientist
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills to serve the needs of patients, the health care team, scientific peers, and the general public

PROFESSIONAL VALUES

Faculty and administrators are engaged in a collaborative effort to recruit, retain, educate, and graduate health care professionals who contribute to the well-being of society. The overall goal of the MS in MLS program is to prepare you for a professional career in all facets of Medical Laboratory Science.

  • Provide students with the competency and knowledge of the clinical laboratory to enter the profession of medical laboratory science.
  • Facilitate the practice of strong communication skills sufficient to serve the needs of patients, the health care team, scientific peers, and the general public.
  • Cultivate the next generation of scientists’ leadership abilities to help guide the changing landscape of health care.

MISSION

The mission of the MS in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program at Loyola is to educate competent and qualified Medical Laboratory Scientists. The MS in MLS program focuses on preparing students to enhance the health of individuals, communities, and the larger global environment through the discovery, application, and dissemination of knowledge, and service with others. Our mission is to improve patient care through accurate laboratory testing and diagnostic results. The program strives to impart upon graduates exceptional leadership training and acquisition of a clinically relevant base of scientific knowledge and critical thinking skills to engage in clinical laboratory practice, industry, or research. Our mission aligns with that of Loyola’s Health Science Campus to advance the University's commitment to a socially just world by developing health care leaders and improving human health through education and research. 

GOALS AND COMPETENCIES

The goal of the MS in Medical Laboratory Science program is to prepare students for a professional career in a facet of Medical Laboratory Science through the acquisition of a clinically relevant base of scientific knowledge, the development of critical thinking skills, and a set of methodological tools to assimilate accurate and valid diagnostic information with disease states.

Students will learn to search the scientific literature, data repositories, and to evaluate and select the relevant information from these sources. Students will also learn to communicate clearly with medical colleagues, scientific peers, patients and with the public.

Program goals:

  • Provide students with the competency and depth of knowledge in major disciplines of the clinical laboratory to enter the profession of medical laboratory science.
  • Facilitate the practice of strong written and verbal communication skills sufficient to serve the needs of patients, the health care team, scientific peers, and the general public in graduates.
  • Cultivate the next generation of scientists’ leadership abilities to help guide the changing landscape of health care.

The master's degree is conferred after demonstrating certain competencies:

  • Acquisition of general and applied knowledge base in the major fields of medical laboratory science.
  • Acquisition of oral and written communication skills sufficient to serve the needs of patients, the health care team, scientific peers and the general public.
  • Satisfactory completion of coursework and professional practicum.
  • Adequate knowledge and background experience to qualify for and pass national certification examinations

PROGRAM OUTCOMES

As of 3/12/2024, the Loyola's MS in Medical Laboratory Sciences achieved the following three year average program outcomes for students graduating in 2021-2023:

Graduation Year   Graduation Rate   Attrition Rate  Certification Exam Pass Rate Within One Year of Graduation Graduate Placement Rate
2021 100% 0% 86% 100%
2022 100% 0% 80% 100%
2023 100% 0% 100% 100%
Three-Year Program Average 100% 0% 89% 100%

 

The three year average certification pass rate for all graduates of the program including and beyond one year of graduation is 94%.

FACULTY, STAFF, AND CLINICAL AFFILIATES

MLS Faculty and Staff

  • Kristen Pesavento, EdD, MA, MLS(ASCP)CM MBCM-MLS Graduate Program Director; Assistant Professor
  • Marian Acurio, MLS(ASCP)CM -Instructor 
  • Anastasia Gant Kanegusuku, PhD-Assistant Professor
  • Amanda Harrington, PhD, D(ABMM)- Professor
  • Julie Huynh, MPH, MLS(ASCP)CM- MLS Program Manager; Instructor
  • Constantine Kanakis, MD, MSc, MLS(ASCP)CM- Instructor
  • Jack Maggiore, PhD, MT(ASCP)- Assistant Professor
  • Wafa Marji, MS, H(ASCP)CM-Instructor 
  • Aneta Szczesniak, MS, MLS(ASCP)CM-Instructor 
  • Jeanine Walenga, PhD, MT (ASCP)- Professor

Clinical Affiliates

  • Loyola University Medical Center, Maywood, Illinois
  • University of Chicago Medical Center, Chicago, Illinois
  • Gottlieb Memorial Hospital, Melrose Park, Illinois
  • MacNeal Hospital, Berwyn, Illinois
  • OSF Little Company of Mary, Evergreen Park, Illinois
  • Labcorp, Itasca, Illinois

By the numbers

16%

PROJECTED GROWTH FOR MEDICAL LABORATORY LAB JOBS

2.3

MILLION NEW HEALTH CARE JOBS CREATED BY 2024

4.7 - 9.1%

VACANCY RATE IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCE FIELD AS OF 2017

Curriculum

The MS in Medical Laboratory Science program accepts students for fall semester enrollment and is designed to be completed within five continuous semesters of study over the course of two years.

View full descriptions for the MLS curriculum, which includes all course titles, descriptions, sequences, and when each course is offered.

Admission

The MS in Medical Laboratory Science program only admits students for the Fall semester. Each cohort consists of a maximum of 12 students.

NO GRE REQUIRED!

Apply Now 

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants to the MS in Medical Laboratry Science must submit the following:

  • Completion of the Loyola University Chicago graduate school admission application
  • Bachelor degree from a regionally accredited institution prior to matriculation
  • Official transcripts from all undergraduate institutions attended
  • Completion of the following prerequisite courses:
    • 16 semester hours (or 24 quarter hours) of biological science, including one semester of microbiology with a laboratory component
    • 16 semester hours (or 24 quarter hours) of chemistry with laboratory including one semester in organic or biochemistry
    • 3 semester hours (4 quarter hours) of mathematics
  • Minimum overall GPA of 3.0 out of 4.0
  • Two letters of recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Essential Functions of MLS

There is no GRE required for application to the MS in Medical Laboratory Science degree.

 

INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants must submit the following, in addition to the other application materials:

  • TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE official score report sent directly from the testing service
  • A Course-by-Course transcript evaluation report from ECE or Educational Perspectives

ADMISSION POLICIES

Applications open for the Fall semester approximately one year before intended enrollment. Competitive applicants should submit a completed application by February 1 for the Early Action Deadline.

Fall Early Action: February 1
All applicants meeting this deadline will receive an admission decision no later than 3 weeks after the Feb 1 deadline pending completed interview and will be eligible for the Parkinson scholarship.

Fall Priority: May 15
All applicants meeting this deadline will be considered for admission. Any applications received after May 15 will be considered until Parkinson reaches enrollment capacity for the fall.

The deadline to accept an admission to enroll for Fall semester is July 15.

Loyola admits students without regard to race, color, sex, age, national or ethnic origin, religion, sexual orientation, ancestry, military discharge or status, marital status, parental status, or any other protected status.

Accreditation

The Loyola University Chicago Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). They can be contacted at: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018; Ph: 773-714-8880; Fax: 773-714-8886; Email: info@NAACLS.org

Tuition and Fees

The Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable.

At the heart of a patient-centered health care team, managing labs and running tests that will inform diagnosis and treatment.

A career in medical laboratory science combines the challenges of medicine, pathology, basic sciences, and clinical laboratory sciences. Using state-of-the-art biomedical instruments, critical thinking skills, and molecular techniques, medical laboratory scientists are detectives. Loyola's two-year Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science will give you the tools you need to enter this low-profile, but critically important, aspect of the health care field.

*NEW! Interested in only one discipline of Medical Laboratory Science?  Learn about our new Clinical Certificate programs

Follow us on X, TikTok or Instagram.

Our Commitment to You

Graduates with a Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science will possess the following knowledge, skills, and professional values to start a career in the lab.

Curriculum

The MS in Medical Laboratory Science program accepts students for fall semester enrollment and is designed to be completed within five continuous semesters of study over the course of two years.

View full descriptions for the MLS curriculum, which includes all course titles, descriptions, sequences, and when each course is offered.

Admission

The MS in Medical Laboratory Science program only admits students for the Fall semester. Each cohort consists of a maximum of 12 students.

NO GRE REQUIRED!

Apply Now 

Accreditation

The Loyola University Chicago Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). They can be contacted at: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018; Ph: 773-714-8880; Fax: 773-714-8886; Email: info@NAACLS.org

Tuition and Fees

The Parkinson School of Health Sciences and Public Health and Loyola's Financial Aid Office are committed to helping students secure the financial resources to make their education at Loyola affordable.