The Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) program at The University of New Mexico School of Medicine prepares students for one of health care’s most essential and often unseen roles – performing the laboratory testing that helps clinicians diagnose and treat disease.
From analyzing blood samples to identifying infections, medical laboratory scientists are key members of every health care team. 
“Our graduates are the professionals who make diagnosis possible,” said Barbara Masten, PhD, D(ABHI), MLS(ASCP), program director and professor in the Department of Pathology. “When a clinician needs to know whether a patient has diabetes, an infection or a heart attack, it’s our students’ work in the lab that helps answer those questions.” 
 
– Julia Allen, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM, Associate Director, Medical Laboratory Sciences Program, UNM School of Medicine
The program offers a four-year bachelor’s degree preparing students for national certification and immediate entry into the workforce. Students complete hands-on rotations in clinical labs across New Mexico, graduating ready to run and interpret critical tests in microbiology, hematology, chemistry and immunology. 
Associate program director Julia Allen, MS, MLS(ASCP)^CM said the field offers diverse opportunities: “Our graduates work in hospitals, reference labs and public health facilities. Others move into management, research or industry roles supporting diagnostic technologies.” 
UNM’s MLS program has a 100% job placement rate for students seeking work in the laboratory field, and most graduates stay in New Mexico. The program is currently full each admission cycle, and faculty hope that the planned new School of Medicine building will expand space for labs and instrumentation, helping train more laboratory professionals to meet statewide needs. 
“For students who love science and problem-solving, this is an exciting and meaningful career,” Masten said. “You may never meet the patient, but your work makes all the difference in their care.” 
To learn more about Medical Laboratory Sciences in the UNM School of Medicine, click here.