Take a step forward and enter the world of medical laboratory science, the front line between disease and diagnosis.
Our state-of-the-art laboratory features the latest diagnostic innovations in this intriguing field of study, providing students with a keen appreciation of the role of the clinical laboratory scientist in today's complex healthcare system.
Our program offers unique academic and clinical experiences in one-to-one situations, affording the student stimulating learning opportunities in a relaxed, friendly environment.
Graduates are able to identify a problem, research the knowledge related to it, evaluate the situation, and make decisions concerning solutions based on their educational and technical understanding. They are also exposed to supervisory and management skills necessary for future leadership positions.
The Medical Laboratory Science Program is a 12-month educational program designed to be completed as the fourth or fifth year in a baccalaureate degree program. Principles of clinical laboratory science are integrated with practical training in the intensive clinical program. The course of study combines practical instruction in procedures with didactic instruction in clinical laboratory science, management theory and educational methods.
Students receive "hands-on" training and instruction in the operation of state-of-the-art laboratory instruments and in the performance of relevant manual procedures. Students are evaluated on their academic achievement, laboratory performance and professional behavior. The laboratory library and medical library provide recent books and journals for reference and research as well as CDs and websites.
Upon successful completion of the program, students receive a baccalaureate degree from their affiliating college/university and a Certificate of Graduation from the hospital. They are then eligible to take a certification examination in clinical laboratory science. Students are not required to pass an external certifying exam to obtain a certificate or a degree.
For more information, please see the 2025 Student Handbook (PDF) (subject to change without notice).
Join us today and make a difference in your tomorrow!
UPMC Williamsport Medical Laboratory Science Program would like to congratulate our 2025 graduates.
UPMC’s mission is to serve our community by providing outstanding patient care and to shape tomorrow’s health system through clinical and technological innovation, research, and education.
Students are expected to exhibit responsibility and, as allied health professionals, conduct themselves in a professional manner. Areas of responsibility include those to the patient, to the institution, to the physician, to the profession and to oneself.
Acceptance into the Medical Science Program at UPMC Williamsport is based on the strength of a student's academic record, reference letters and a personal interview. Applicants for admission into the program will receive equal consideration regardless of race, color, religious or sexual preference, ethnic or national origin, age or sex. All qualified applicants will be considered. Strong consideration will be given to qualified applicants who wish to accept offers of employment at a UPMC laboratory after graduation.
Our program has two admission start dates: January and July. Two students start each January, and two students start each July.
Applicants should apply to the medical laboratory science program at least one year prior to the anticipated program start. A personal interview is required, but not guaranteed, after all application materials have been submitted.
There is a $30 fee due when applying. See Apply page for details.
In addition to those courses required for a degree from the appropriate college/university, prerequisite coursework required for admission into the program includes:
Electives should include courses related to clinical laboratory science, such as genetics, anatomy and physiology, cell biology, parasitology and computer science. All of the above science courses must fulfill the requirement for a degree; survey courses are not acceptable. Major science courses completed seven or more years prior to application must be updated.
Applicants must also have:
In addition to fulfilling academic prerequisites, students who have obtained a degree in a foreign university must have their transcripts evaluated by one of the following evaluating agencies:
International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
10736 Jefferson Blvd., #532
Culver City, CA 90230
WES Global Documentation Center
P.O. Box 2008 STN Main
Newmarket, ON, L3Y 0G5
Canada
The applicant must, with or without reasonable accommodation, have sufficient:
These standards were formulated to be in compliance with the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and The Americans with Disabilities Act.
The Medical Laboratory Science Program is affiliated with the following:
Undergraduate students are accepted from non-affiliated colleges/universities when a temporary affiliation agreement can be formulated between the hospital program and the university. Students who have already completed a bachelor’s degree and meet the academic and non-academic requirements may also apply for admission.
The curriculum addresses principles and methods of testing for all major areas of a modern medical laboratory, including clinical significance of laboratory procedures in diagnosis and treatment. Specific courses of our Laboratory Science Program include:
Each student is assigned a unique rotation for 49 weeks (including orientation, holidays, breaks, and end of the year review). See an example of a typical student rotation (PDF).
Student clinical education is coordinated by a Clinical Instructor in each section. This individual oversees the student rotation, evaluates performance and develops the final grade. Students should report to the Clinical Instructor upon beginning the clinical rotation and should communicate any problems to same instructor.
The approach to clinical education will be as follows:
The combined practical and classroom experience is designed to allow the student to meet the objectives of the program, to provide the student with insight into the role of the clinical laboratory scientist on the healthcare team, and to equip the student to meet the professional challenges of a career in clinical laboratory science. This is done by maintaining an atmosphere that encourages learning, professional growth, and high academic standards.
Students rotate through all clinical laboratory sections, learning procedures performed in each section and practicing them to attain professional skill levels. Students may rotate through the UPMC Williamsport Divine Providence Campus and UPMC Muncy laboratories as an additional learning experience. Didactic classes are regularly scheduled to discuss the principles of laboratory procedures and the relationship of these procedures to the patient’s medical condition. During clinical rotation, students are given ample opportunity to practice and improve skills. After meeting the departmental objectives, a student may perform selected tests on patient samples and report out results for selected procedures under the supervision of a technologist. This process enhances a sense of responsibility and self-confidence. Any problems encountered by the student should be discussed with the Clinical Instructor and followed through to a solution.
Students may have opportunities to observe special procedures or work performed in other areas of the lab and to participate in laboratory continuing education programs. Case study reviews in each major rotation provide better understanding of the role played by the laboratory in diagnosis and treatment of disease and allow the student to relate laboratory testing directly to patient care. Additional patient contact comes during the phlebotomy experience, which is self-paced.
In the event that a student participating in a clinical experience within UPMC-owned and operated domestic locations is exposed to potential infectious material or is injured during the clinical experience, initial triage shall include the student receiving consultation and direction by calling 833-280-8511. The student will be directed to the appropriate UPMC Employee Health Services office (or the appropriate UPMC hospital emergency department) as warranted and in accordance with UPMC policies.
Lectures will be scheduled at specific times on a pre-established schedule. (Times may be altered as needed, but current lecture time is 7 - 8:30 a.m.; 11:30 a.m. - 1 pm; and/or 1:30-3 p.m.) Students are to report to the classroom at the designated time. If lectures are postponed or canceled for any reason, the student is expected to spend that time either in the clinical laboratory section currently assigned or involved in a related learning activity.
Additional lecture and review may be scheduled for one or more days per week. Exams are scheduled in the classroom on Monday afternoons starting at 1:30 pm. Quizzes are scheduled in the classroom on Friday mornings.
Students are encouraged to attend in-lab or in-hospital continuing education programs as well as webinar presentations as the opportunity presents itself. Specific outside activities may be assigned as they are scheduled during each year.
The clinical component and the lecture component each represent 50% of the final grade. A minimum grade of 75% in each component is required to pass for the year.
A student on academic probation is required to complete make-up work and retesting in the area of deficiency, with a resulting minimum grade of 75%. Failure to do so will result in dismissal from the program due to academic deficiencies.
A student dismissed due to academic deficiencies may reapply one time in order to complete the deficient course work. Failure upon readmission is final.
(Ex: take home quizzes/exams, Media Lab learning modules, etc.)
Periodically throughout the clinical year, take home quizzes or exams, Media Lab modules, and sometimes worksheets are assigned. These tasks are assigned to enhance understanding and reinforce subject material covered in lecture and textbook readings.
Graded assignments, including Media Lab assignments, must be completed/turned in prior to clinical rotation on the due date. Media Lab test grades will be counted as a quiz grade. Late assignments will not be accepted, and students will receive a “0” score for the quiz grade if not completed on time. Students are reminded to review the Academic Probation policy outlined on page 24 of the Student Handbook.
All students are REQUIRED to keep a notebook for each rotation (type is student preference). The contents of this notebook will vary with each clinical section, but at a minimum, it should contain principles of procedures, normal values, clinical significance of the test results, and specific reactions that occur during the testing procedure. Hints for ease of test performance and calculations related to the results should also be included. The student should consult the clinical instructor for specific information related to what should be included in the notebook.
The notebook is a tool for the student and should be used to record information that may not be found in textbooks or procedure manuals.
THE NOTEBOOK SHOULD NOT BE A COPY OF THE SECTION PROCEDURE MANUAL. Copying the procedure manual is a waste of time that can be better used in practicing newly learned skills.
Upon completion of the rotation, the notebook should be presented to the Clinical Instructor for evaluation. Evaluation will be based upon completeness of the notebook according to specific criteria established by each Clinical Instructor for that section of the laboratory. The notebook will be graded according to departmental procedure.
A clinical rotation will not be considered complete with an unsatisfactory notebook. Notebooks are due one week after the final day of each rotation unless otherwise approved by the Clinical Instructor!
For all students in a 3+1 program, grades are reported to the medical laboratory science advisor of the student’s college/ university at mid-term and again upon completion of the clinical year. Any student in danger of failing or any student placed on academic probation will have an interview with the Program Director and the college/university medical technology advisor to discuss the situation and determine a course of action.
Medical Laboratory Science advisors from the college/university are encouraged to visit with the student anytime during the clinical year.
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will receive a certificate and a transcript of grades for the clinical year will be sent to the institution granting the degree (not contingent on external certifying exam).
Objective: Upon completion of the clinical year, the graduate, after a short period of orientation, will be able to assume the responsibility of and perform the duties of an entry level medical laboratory scientist according to the job description at his/her place of employment. These duties will include performing test and quality control procedures, troubleshooting, and demonstrating knowledge of theory and principles of methods in all areas of the clinical laboratory.
Measurement of this objective will be accomplished by monitoring the student’s performance during the clinical year via written and practical examinations, and attainment of this objective will be indicated by achievement of a minimum grade of 75% in all clinical rotations and theory courses.
Students who complete the program are eligible (and encouraged) to take a national certification exam. In the clinical year, students will be advised of options available for certification. Students may elect to take one or more certification exams. A fee must accompany each application; information will be available from the Program Director.
Students are assessed a yearly tuition charge, payable in installments in January and in July. The current tuition rate is $8,500 including a non-refundable deposit of $500 for the year. The first tuition payment will be billed in January or July (depending on program start) and must be paid within 30 days. The 2nd installment will be due after the first half of the clinical year. Certificates will not be issued until tuition is paid in full.
Students are responsible for all fees required by the college/university. Additional expenses include items such as textbooks, apparel, classroom supplies and all living expenses. Occasionally students have opportunities to travel to educational programs that may require a small fee.
Students are required to purchase liability malpractice insurance for the period covering the clinical year, at their own expense, unless the college or university maintains liability coverage for students in clinical programs.
All students are required to have the following current (within one year) clearances:
Meals are available in the employee cafeteria. Parking is provided free of charge at designated lots.
For more information, please see the Student Handbook (PDF) (subject to change without notice).
Our program is committed to a philosophy of providing assistance necessary to aid the student in completing his/her academic goals. Students are encouraged to seek academic and personal counseling prior to withdrawal. For more information, please see the 2025 Student Handbook (PD) (subject to change without notice).
The UPMC Williamsport Medical Laboratory Science Program does not participate in state or federal financial aid programs. Students who wish to obtain such assistance may do so through their university by remaining enrolled in the degree-granting university during the clinical year. Scholarship opportunities may also be available.
Students report to assigned laboratory departments daily, Monday through Friday, at the time assigned by the clinical instructor. Hours may vary for a particular rotation or activity. Other than during scheduled lecture time, students are expected to be in the rotation department unless special arrangements have been made with the Clinical Instructor to participate in a different activity. If clinical hours are canceled for any reason, the student is expected to use that time for study, completion of projects, or involved in a related learning activity (independent).
Lectures are scheduled on a regular basis each week. All students will attend scheduled lecture. If no lecture is scheduled or a scheduled lecture is canceled, the student will remain in/report to his/her assigned rotation area.
Vacation/holidays:
Depending on start dates, students may receive four or five scheduled holidays and three extended breaks:
Excused absences (personal days/sick time)
6 days are allotted for personal leave or illness. You MUST notify the Program Director EACH DAY you are ill. Personal leave days MUST be scheduled in advance, with the approval of the Program Director and Clinical Instructor. These days are not vacation days. They are to be used for illness, job interviews, etc. Please make every effort to schedule appointments on weekends or after regular hours.
Unexcused absence
An unexcused absence results when the student does not pre-schedule a day off or does not notify the Program Director of his/her absence. Students abusing personal leave time will be counseled and may be required to make up the lost time at the end of the year. A student who receives three counseling sessions regarding unexcused absences will be dismissed from the program.
Students may be hired as per-diem employees during the clinical year. This status allows students to work limited hours, when such hours are available. A student may work on weekends and during non-student hours if he/she maintains a passing average. This service work is non-compulsory.
Students will not be substituted for regular staff during school hours. Caution is advised concerning employment due to the academic burden the student experiences during the clinical year. Students working as per-diem employees are subject to all employee rules.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N River Rd, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
Phone: 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
Email: NAACLS@naacls.org
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP)
American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)
American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC)
Chicago (Headquarters)
33 West Monroe Street, Suite 1600
Chicago, IL 60603
Phone: 800-237-2727
Email: boc@ascp.org
Interested in learning more? Please contact:
Program Director
Amanda Mills, MHS, MLS (ASCP)
millsal@upmc.edu
570-321-2367
The Medical Laboratory Science Program is accredited by:
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
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