It’s not uncommon for college students to gain clarity about their passions and goals after already declaring a major. College is the perfect time to explore your interests and decide what career you’d possibly enjoy. For some, exposure to science courses can lead to an interest in Medical Laboratory Science. But, what if your current school doesn’t offer this degree? You may be considering transferring into a Medical Laboratory Science program.
As a prospective transfer student, here’s why you might consider a Medical Lab Science program, and what to consider when choosing your new school.
Top Reasons to Transfer into Medical Laboratory Science
A Career With Variety
If you’re looking for an exciting job full of variety, a future in Medical Laboratory Science should be at the top of your list. As a Medical Laboratory Science professional, you’ll examine and analyze bodily fluids and cells from a variety of patients. You’ll analyze chemical compounds, match blood types, test for drug levels, and prepare specimens for examination. Every day at work will be slightly different and you’ll be a key member of a professional medical team, working to support the efforts of doctors and nurses.
Great Earning Potential
The average annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists was $57,800 in 2021. The highest paying employers in the United States were outpatient care centers, which paid their laboratory technologists an average annual salary of $60,110. As medical laboratory technologists gain experience and seniority, they can earn higher salaries, with the highest 10% of professionals earning upwards of $70,000 per year, higher than the average American salary. Salaries may also vary by state. In Connecticut, medical laboratory technologists earn upwards of $70,000 per year, on average.
Job Opportunities
A degree in Medical Lab Science can provide graduates with a number of job opportunities. Firstly, there is a national shortage of medical laboratory professionals, meaning that there is a demand for well-trained and licensed technologists. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that there will be an 11% increase in employment in this field between now and 2030. About 25,900 openings for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are predicted every year during that time.
What to Look For in a Medical Lab Science Program
If you’re looking to transfer into a Medical Lab Science program, it’s important that you know what to look for. Here are a few qualities to consider prior to transferring schools.
Accreditation
In order to earn certification as a Medical Laboratory Technologist, it’s vital that you earn your degree from a school accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Upon graduation, you’ll be able to sit for the national certification examination offered by the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
Graduation and Job Placement Rate
Before you enroll in a Medical Lab Science program, you should find out what their graduation and job placement rates are. This information can help you glean whether or not your future program has the ability to set you up for success. Your future program should have these statistics on file for the past several years. For example, University of Bridgeport has a job placement and graduate rate of 100% for students who completed clinical rotations.
Certification Examination Pass Rate
In addition to graduation and job placement information, your future school should be able to provide you with information pertaining to their graduates’ pass rate on the national certification examination. University of Bridgeport has a certification examination pass rate of 93%.
Clinical Opportunities
It’s critically important that your future school provides you with the practical training you need to succeed in the field of medical laboratory technology. One key way they can do this is by supporting their students in pursuing clinical opportunities. University of Bridgeport contracts with multiple clinical affiliates throughout Connecticut. After completing three years of prerequisite and core courses, students in UB’s Medical Laboratory Science program are required to pass a comprehensive examination and spend two semesters in clinical rotations at one of UB’s clinical affiliate hospital laboratories.
Flexibility
Many students transferring into a Medical Laboratory Science program are working professionals. As such, it’s important that whichever program they transfer into offers flexibility. University of Bridgeport allows students to pursue their studies part-time, until their clinical year. Additionally, University of Bridgeport provides interested parties who already hold a bachelor’s degree the opportunity to study one or more areas of clinical science without obtaining a second degree. In this pathway, students can concentrate on studies in Clinical Chemistry, Hematology, Microbiology, and/or Immunohematology.
Whether you’re unhappy in your current school, Medical Laboratory Science program, or you want to change degree paths, it’s important that you find the perfect program for you. The ideal Medical Laboratory Science program will provide you with clinical training, academic support, and the flexibility you need to fit your college education within your lifestyle. If you’re ready to make a change and begin the path towards a career in Medical Laboratory Science, consider University of Bridgeport!
Ready for a career in Medical Laboratory Science? Learn more about University of Bridgeport’s Medical Laboratory Science degree!