The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) offers two majors:
(1) Medical Laboratory Sciences: Biomedical Science BS and
(2) Medical Laboratory Sciences: Clinical Science BS .
The Clinical Science major is intended for students pursuing careers in the diagnostic laboratory and meets the requirements for NY State licensure of clinical laboratory technologists. The Biomedical Science major is appropriate for students seeking other careers or graduate education in the biomedical field.
Professional Outcomes
Entry-Level Positions Students completing the MLS degree are prepared for positions in a variety of settings. These include clinical laboratory (medical) technologists of diagnostic laboratories in hospitals and commercial environments, and research assistants in medical center and university labs, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies and public health laboratories. Personnel shortages are severe in several of these areas, and opportunities are predicted to grow. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects growth of 12% for clinical laboratory positions from 2016 to 2026.
The passage of the Clinical Laboratory Technology Practice Act in 2005 created a transparent professional pathway defining the education, experience and examination to qualify as a clinical laboratory technologist in New York State NYSED Office of the Professions. The course of study in the Medical Laboratory Sciences: Clinical Science major fulfills the educational and practice components for licensure.
Further Education
MLS students are encouraged to plan for postbaccalaureate education, and are guided to complete prerequisites. MLS alumni have been successful in medical and dental school, graduate programs in biomedical science (master’s and PhD), management and clinical specialties (PA, forensic science, etc.) and advanced laboratory diagnostics such as cytotechnology.
Opportunities for Pre-Professional Experience
- Professional Practice: Qualified students planning for careers in the diagnostic lab enroll in MLSP 41000 to fulfill the practical experience requirement of the clinical laboratory technologist license. Students are assigned to hospital, reference or public health labs for summer or semester-long internship experience in an area consistent with their interests.
- Student Research: Qualified students are encouraged to participate in faculty research projects through independent study and honors courses in such areas as innate immune regulation, bacteriophage, microbial pathogenesis, antimicrobials, gastric secretion and cancer, glutamate receptors in neurological diseases and cancer, and myelination in the peripheral and central nervous systems.
- Academic Advising: MLS majors meet each semester with a faculty adviser to review progress and plan the next semester’s program. The adviser helps students pace their studies appropriately. Counseling for graduate school, employment and reference support is ongoing for our alumni. A strong professional network exists among MLS alumni.
Admission Requirements
Students must meet the following minimum requirements to be considered for admission to the Medical Laboratory Sciences-BS majors:
Completion of 60 credits before enrolling in MLS, including: one year of general chemistry with lab (CHEM 10200 (STEM) , CHEM 10400 (STEM) , CHEM 10600 (STEM) , or equivalent) 1 year of general biology with lab BIOL 10000 (STEM) , BIOL 10200 (STEM) , or equivalent) and an overall GPA of at least 2.5. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into the program, which is based, by necessity, on the limitations of space and resources. The Hunter College Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences is dedicated to equal opportunity for all applicants who meet admission requirements.
Students can enter the Medical Laboratory Sciences major in fall and spring semesters. Advisors welcome e-mail inquiries anytime. To apply, both current Hunter College students and transfer students must complete the CUNY Transfer Application. Applicants should log in with their CUNYfirst account or create a CUNY Application account if they have never attended a CUNY institution. Be sure to select “Medical Laboratory Sciences” at Hunter College as the intended major. Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis so students should apply and complete the application as as early as possible. Admission deadlines for fall and spring semesters are February 1 and September 15, respectively. Students are encouraged to complete most of their Hunter Core Requirement (HCR) General Education - Effective Fall 2019 which includes the CUNY Common Core, the Hunter Focus on foreign language and the concurrent requirements before entering the program, but liberal arts classes can be interspersed with major courses.
Students are encouraged to contact the Department Chair or Undergraduate Advisor listed below to ask any questions or learn more about the MLS majors before applying.
Scholastic Requirements
Student grades are reviewed each semester to determine eligibility for remaining in the program. Each student must maintain an overall GPA of 2.0 for each semester and a grade of C or better in each major course. Major courses must be taken for letter grades except, at the discretion of the chair, for clinic, field or independent study. Departmental permission is required in order to register for courses. Faculty advisers authorize course permissions during the pre-registration and registration periods.
Contact Us
Department Chair:
Steven Einheber, PhD
Brookdale Campus West 700A
(212) 481-4442, 4502
E-mail: seinhebe@hunter.cuny.edu
Web site: http://www.hunter.cuny.edu/mls
Undergraduate Advisor:
Abigail Rodriguez-Morales, PhD
Brookdale Campus West 707
(212) 481-8795
E-mail: ar4835@hunter.cuny.edu
HEGIS Code: 1223
