Medical Laboratory Sciences
The degree that leads to a fast paced, impactful career in the medical field!
Medical Laboratory Science is the “hidden profession” that saves lives every day! Over 75% of clinical decisions are based on the laboratory tests performed by Medical Laboratory Scientists. If you love working in a laboratory setting and want to have a direct impact on patient care, the MLS major is a great fit for you!Medical Laboratory Scientists work behind-the-scenes, processing laboratory tests that doctors count on to correctly diagnose, monitor and treat patients. The Medical Laboratory Scientist is responsible for interpreting and communicating critical patient results to the physician.
Your B.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences will provide you with an extensive background in the basic biological sciences, including anatomy and physiology, immunology, microbiology, biochemistry and parasitology.
Faculty at Lakeland Regional Health (LRH)
The faculty at LRH include:- Amber Cochran, PhD(ABD), MPH, MLS(ASCP)- Program Director
- Darnal Smith, MT MSM - Instructional Faculty
- Theresa Ohrmund, Clinical Liaison between FSC and LRH
- Emilia Marrero-Greene, M Ed, MT(AAB), M(ASCP) - Supervisor, Microbiology
Why choose Medical Laboratory Sciences at FSC?
Earn your Certification
Our curriculum follows the strict guidelines set by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). This provides you with exceptional preparation for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) national certification exam and licensure within the state of Florida.
LRH Partnership
A major part of your curriculum includes taking classes at our local hospital with professionals at LRH. In your final year, you will be full time at LRH where you will spend time in each clinical lab for extensive training.
Hands on Experience
Beginning in the first semester, students gain valuable laboratory, skills-based and critical thinking experiences at FSC. In advanced courses, students work with MLS professionals in state-of-the-art clinical labs at LRH, where 5 million lab tests are performed each year.
Unique experiences
The MLS program provides unique experiences at LRH and other affiliated health care facilities, with bedside testing, molecular pathology and microbiology testing, and working with various patient populations, including at their cancer center.
Employment and career opportunities
Many of our current students are employed at LRH as laboratory assistants. MLS Ranks #3 among health professions, and the national median salary is $62,737 annually. There is a current shortage everywhere in the US, especially Florida, and the field has a projected 25% job growth. All of this means job security, guaranteed employment and higher salaries! There is rapid advancement within the field to administrative positions, specializations, and educational opportunities.
Meet Drew Mundy '24
A current student talks about career journey
Drew Mundy is a current student from Clearwater, FL. She discovered the MLS program during her freshman year at a STEM career fair held at FSC.
Drew Mundy
“I chose MLS because I have always loved working in the laboratory,” Drew said. “I use to be in a veterinary program [in high school], and I would always be near the microscopes, running all the urine and blood tests. I loved it so much! I also think it would be such a rewarding career to be able to help people behind the scenes.”
MLS allows for a lot of different career opportunities and advancements. If you know you want to go into the healthcare field and you love being in the laboratory then I would definitely consider joining the MLS program.
Drew is looking forward to her upcoming experiences. “My favorite thing about the MLS program is starting your junior year you get to take classes at Lakeland Regional Health Medical Center, and you get hands-on experience,” she said.
As she thinks about her future, Drew is very optimistic and sees many opportunities. “MLS allows for a lot of different career opportunities and advancements,” she said. “If you know you want to go into the healthcare field and you love being in the laboratory then I would definitely consider joining the MLS program. Also, MLS can be a great stepping stone to other career paths as well, such as pathologist assistant, or specializing in parasitology, hematology, etc.”
National Accreditation
Florida Southern College Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS), is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), with Five Years of Initial Accreditation. In addition, our Medical Laboratory Sciences Program is a licensed training program by the State of Florida.
Contact information for NAACLS
NAACLS
5600 N. River Rd,
Suite 720 Rosemont IL 60018-5119
Phone: 773.714.8880
Fax: 773.714.8886
Email: info@naacls.org
Outcomes Measures
We graduated our first class in the spring of 2021. Information on certification, graduation and attrition rates for the program are listed below.
| Academic Year (August – May) | 2021-2022 | 2022-2023 | 2023-2024 | Three Year Average | NAACLS Benchmarks (averages) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ASCP Certification (BOC) Pass Rates | 100% | 50% | 75% | 75% | 75% |
| Graduation Rates | 100% | 66% | 100% | 89% | 70% |
| Attrition Rates | 0% | 33% | 0% | 11% | N/A |
| Placement Rates | 100% | 50% | 100% | 83% | 70% |
Note: Cohort size is directly proportional to the reliability and validity of benchmarks.
Featured Medical Laboratory Sciences Faculty
Nancy Morvillo
Medical Laboratory Sciences
The MLS degree is an allied health career opportunity for students interested in working in a clinical laboratory.
Medical Laboratory Scientists are healthcare professionals who perform chemical, hematological, immunological, histopathological, cytopathological, microscopic, and bacteriological diagnostic analyses on patient samples. Medical Laboratory Scientists commonly work in hospital clinical laboratories, commercial laboratories, for pharmaceutical, chemical, or biotechnology companies, and in research and teaching institutions.
This four year degree includes experience working in the clinical laboratories of Lakeland Regional Health, a major health care provider in central Florida. Students will begin taking courses at the Medical Center hospital beginning in their third year, before transitioning into a full time internship at Lakeland Regional Health during their fourth year.
Second Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Laboratory Sciences
Florida Southern College accepts applications from students seeking a Second Bachelor’s degree in select academic majors. Graduates from other 4-year accredited institutions of higher education (meeting university transfer eligibility requirements) in the United States who apply for admission to work toward a second bachelor’s degree must meet the regular requirements of the university and would apply as a Transfer student. Students must meet all transfer GPA requirements. A baccalaureate degree or higher from another 4-year accredited institution of higher education (meeting university transfer eligibility requirements) in the United States satisfies the General Education requirements for graduation.
Second Bachelor’s degree seeking students are great candidates for the Medical Laboratory Sciences program. Florida Southern College offers 2 year and 3 year paths to an MLS degree. To apply for admission to the MLS program, a second bachelor’s degree student must be admitted to Florida Southern College and meet academic criteria for admission to the program.
MLS Second Degree - 2 Year PlanMLS Second Degree - 3 Year Plan
Clubs And More
Related Programs
Medical Laboratory Sciences Program Details
AVAILABLE IN:
BS
Admission Requirements
All pre-certified MLS students are required to participate in clinical laboratory experiences at off-site locations. Each student is responsible for obtaining reliable transportation to the clinical laboratory sites. Students may be assigned laboratory rotations on weekends.
First-Years
All freshman applicants to Florida Southern Colleges full-time degree programs must submit the following information:
- A completed application form
- An official high school transcript
- Must have an SAT score of 1180 or ACT score of 24
- Academic recommendation
- Admission to the program is competitive, and a comprehensive review of application materials will determine admittance.
Transfers
Applying to Florida Southern as a transfer student is easy.
- A completed application form
- Personal statement
- All official college transcripts
- Overall college GPA of 3.0 for completed courses received as transfer credits.
- Completion of at least three prerequisite courses including BIO 1500, CHE 1111, and CHE 1112 all with a grade of C or higher.
- Social standing form
If transferring less than 19 credits, we also need your:
- Official high school transcript
- Must have an SAT score of 1180 or ACT score of 24.
Internationals
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Medical Laboratory Sciences Program Contact
Nancy Morvillo, Ph.D.
Professor of Biology
Department Chair
Nelson C. White Chair in the Life Sciences
Polk Science - 126
863.680.6240
863.680.3970
