Medical Laboratory Science
With this 3+1 program, earn an Albright College degree and qualify to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology certification exam at the end of your fourth year.
Who are medical laboratory scientists?
Medical laboratory scientists are vital healthcare personnel who conduct laboratory analyses to assist physicians and other medical professionals in patient diagnosis and treatment.
They use biomedical instrumentation and technology to perform laboratory testing on blood and body fluids. Laboratory testing encompasses such disciplines as clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology and molecular biology.
They monitor testing quality and generate laboratory data needed to detect cancer, heart attacks, diabetes, and infectious microorganisms.
"Albright’s affiliation with the Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences allowed me to become a certified Medical Lab Scientist and work at the Reading Hospital as a generalist upon graduation. Since graduating, I have gained valuable experience in a high volume lab, become a clinical educator, and completed my Master of Business Administration degree and Healthcare Management certificate. The Albright Biology department gave me the skills, foundation, and faculty support that I needed to excel as a MLS."
- Morgan Rahtjen, '2022, Monomouth Medical Center (RWJBarnabas Health), Long Branch, NJ
How does a 3+1 arrangement work?
Through an affiliation agreement between Albright College and the Reading Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science, Albright College will grant a Bachelor of Science degree (biology major, biotechnology track) to students who successfully complete the requirements of both the college and the clinical Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program.
During the senior year, students’ time at Reading Hospital will be divided between classroom instruction and relevant hands-on experience gained in the clinical laboratory. (Granting of the Albright bachelor’s degree will not be contingent on successfully passing a MLS certification or licensure examination.)
It is also possible to apply to admission into the Reading Hospital MLS program as a post-baccalaureate (4+1 program) after completion of an Albright College degree and the MLS program’s prerequisite courses.
Note: Admission into Reading Hospital MLS program is a competitive process and is not guaranteed. However, Albright students meeting the program’s minimum requirements are given preference over students from other schools without affiliation agreements. Students interested in this program should consult with Erin Ventresca, Ph.D., assistant professor of biology and the health sciences advisor.
The annual MLS training program application deadline is in October. Accepted participants begin training in July of each year.
For additional information, consult the website of the Reading Hospital School of Medical Laboratory Science.
Ethan Kentzel, MLS (ASCP) is the current MLS program director in the Reading Hospital School of Health Sciences. Ethan is also a non-teaching, clinical faculty member of Albright College as part of the affiliation agreement.