Medical laboratory scientists work behind the scenes in laboratories to provide clinicians with test results needed to diagnose, treat, and manage their patients’ conditions. Blood, body fluids, and other patient specimens are analyzed using manual methods and state-of-the-art instrumentation to test for conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, infection, anemia, and leukemia.
Medical laboratories produce data that physicians and caregivers depend on to properly diagnose and treat patients. In fact, 70% of medical decisions are based on laboratory testing conducted by medical laboratory scientists.
Professionals in this field:
Conduct health screening tests for diabetic and cardiac risk.
Examine patient specimens for the presence of infectious microorganisms.
Type and cross-match blood for transfusion.
Detect specific blood cells to reveal leukemia and measure a patient’s response to medications and therapies.
Develop and manage the highly complex technical systems that assist in performing these tests.
Why Thomas Jefferson University?
Thomas Jefferson University is an academic health center, and offers a collaborative environment that includes basic science research, cancer treatment, biomedical research, primary care, nursing care, and trauma care.
We help students gain a solid understanding of the principles of professional practice, laboratory outcomes management, and laboratory administration. Students in our Medical Laboratory Science programs gain classroom, laboratory, and practical experience in five key areas:
Clinical chemistry.
Normal and abnormal hematology and serology.
Immunohematology (also called blood banking or transfusion medicine).
Clinical microbiology, including parasitology, virology, bacteriology.
Research theory and quality control principles for clinical laboratory procedures.
Our students learn to connect technology with its importance in the lives of people. Our laboratories offer the latest testing and communications technology, so students learn on the equipment used in clinical practice. As students, you will:
Prepare and interpret laboratory tests from real patient specimens.
Perform chemical tests to analyze blood and body fluid for specific markers of disease.
Match blood for patient transfusion.
Use a microscope to identify and count cells and look for cellular abnormalities.
Detect and identify bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms that cause infections.
Operate sophisticated technology and develop analytic systems.
Utilize information systems and design interfaces to relay test results to physicians.
Work with other healthcare professionals to monitor quality and improve patient care.
Students acquire broad exposure to diverse career options, which helps them carve out unique roles in traditional and nontraditional laboratory science careers. The curriculum fosters independent thought, teamwork, and the ability to take responsibility for crucial diagnostic decisions.
Careers
Thomas Jefferson University’s Medical Laboratory Science graduates have a high job placement rate and a median salary of $46,000. Graduates work in clinical laboratories in hospitals, reference labs, and doctors' offices.
A degree in Medical Laboratory Science prepares students for jobs in:
Clinical Staff Positions
Medical technologist generalist
Clinical chemistry technologist
Immunohematologist
Immunology technologist
Microbiology technologist
Research assistant/associate
Forensic medicine laboratory technologist
Veterinary laboratory staff technologist
Hematology technologist
Nonclinical Positions
Government inspector
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please check with institution
Expected May, October 2025
Start date
6 January 2025
Center City Campus
Admissions Welcome Center 130 South 9th Street,
Edison Building, Suite 100,
Philadelphia,
Pennsylvania,
19107, United States
Degree Prerequisite: Applicants are required to hold a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, cytotechnology, or medical laboratory science from a regionally accredited institution prior to the start of the program.
TOEFL IBT & IBT Home Edition: 80 (no sub-score below 20)
TOEFL Essentials: 8.5 (no sub-score below 8)
IELTS: 6.5 (no sub-score below 6)
Duolingo Exam: 115
Pearson PTE Academic Exam: 53
Thomas Jefferson University is where creativity meets STEM in an award-winning curriculum – for the needs of the next generation.