Laboratory testing is the single highest-volume medical activity affecting Americans, with 13 billion laboratory medicine tests conducted every year in the US alone. These tests drive about two-thirds of all medical decisions made by doctors and other health care professionals. Simply put, every time you enter a hospital or health care facility for care, your life is in the hands of a Medical Laboratory Professional.
What is a Medical Laboratory Professional?
Mission Statement
To accomplish our vision, the mission of the Medical Laboratory Science Program is to prepare professionals to demonstrate the highest quality of technical and clinical competence in serving their patients and the laboratory profession.
Vision Statement
The Texas State Medical Laboratory Science Program should be one of the leading MLS programs in the state with recognition of graduates for leadership and clinical competence.
Chair's Message
Medical laboratory science is a dynamic profession with an established theoretical and scientific base. Medical laboratory scientists, also known as clinical laboratory scientists, have a broad background in the sciences, which prepares them for the challenge of today's modern laboratory and future technological developments.
MLS graduates are eligible to be certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and other certification agencies such as AMT and AAB. To be eligible for certification, an applicant must be a graduate of an accredited MLS or CLS educational program. We are pleased to have had an accredited MLS educational program since 1976, offering the BS in Medical Technology from 1976 to 1992, and the BS in Clinical Laboratory Science since 1992. In 2023, our program name was changed to Medical Laboratory Science.
The mission of our program is to prepare healthcare professionals to demonstrate the highest quality of technical and clinical competence in serving their patients and the laboratory profession. We have highly qualified faculty members who are committed to excellence in education, research, and service.
We are very proud of our faculty, students, alumni, facilities, and curriculum. Unique features of our program include our molecular diagnostics laboratory and laboratory information system. We consider ourselves an MLS family that cares about each student and member of our program. More information about our program and facilities can be found on this website. Please look around and enjoy exploring MLS at Texas State. Should you have additional questions, feel free to contact medlabsci@txstate.edu
Rodney E. Rohde, PhD, MS, SM(ASCP) CMSV CM,MBCM, FACSc
Chair & Professor, Medical Laboratory Science (MLS)
Past President, Texas Association for CLS
TEDx Speaker & Global Fellow – Global Citizenship Alliance
Major
Texas State University offers a four year curriculum leading to a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Graduates are also eligible to take the certification examination as a Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) of the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
The requirements during the first two years of study include courses in biology, chemistry, and mathematics along with courses in the humanities and social and behavioral sciences. The junior and senior years combine clinical experiences in the affiliated clinical laboratories with advanced academic study in the MLS disciplines. Since class size is limited due to the availability of space in the clinical affiliates, admission to the program is competitive and all who apply will not be accepted. Complete the MLS Admissions Module to apply or get more information.
Profession
The medical laboratory scientist or clinical laboratory scientist, plays a major role in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. Medical laboratory scientists use sophisticated laboratory instruments to perform tests in microbiology, immunology, immunohematology, hematology, and clinical chemistry.
Careers
The medical laboratory scientist has a broad background in the sciences and may find employment in hospital and clinic laboratories, public health laboratories, and research laboratories. With experience, the medical laboratory scientist becomes an indispensable top level laboratory worker, a supervisor, a specialist, a researcher, or an educator.
Job Outlook
Job opportunities for medical laboratory scientists are excellent, with more openings than available job seekers. Employment is expected to grow at a faster than average rate. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians, visited March 03, 2025). We have consistently placed 90% or higher of our graduates in the profession.
The University
Texas State University (Texas State) is a comprehensive university with an enrollment of over 36,000 students. Located at the foot of the Texas Hill Country, Texas State enjoys a setting that is unique among Texas universities. The beauty of the crystal clear San Marcos River and many sprawling cypress and pecan trees on the campus add to the charm of this picturesque locale. Located 30 miles south of Austin and 50 miles north of San Antonio, San Marcos has managed to retain the charm of a smaller community. Texas State maintains an atmosphere where faculty and students take the processes of teaching and learning seriously. Texas State is a member of the Texas State University System.