Medical Laboratory Science
Department of Biology
Office: Science Center
(716) 673-3282
Dr. William D. Brown, Chairperson
Susan Bettker, Program Coordinator
Email: susan.bettker@fredonia.edu
Website: https://www.fredonia.edu/academics/colleges-schools/college-liberal-arts-sciences/program/medical-laboratory-science
The Medical Laboratory Science program prepares students for careers in many high demand areas of science. Recent program graduates are employed as clinical diagnostic scientists in hospital, forensic, industrial and biotechnology laboratories; as clinical research scientists in biomedical research facilities; and as sales representatives for pharmaceutical, medical instrumentation and computer corporations. Students typically obtain jobs within their discipline by the time they graduate; in most cases, they have job offers several months prior to graduation.
The program is recommended for students wishing to prepare for careers as clinical diagnostic scientists in hospital, forensic, industrial and biotechnology laboratories, and as sales representatives for pharmaceutical, medical instrumentation and computer companies. The curriculum requires the student to study three years at Fredonia and one year in an accredited clinical hospital program. Contracted agreements with four hospitals allow internship placement for students who have successfully completed university requirements. To ensure that students are prepared for clinical work, and can be successful, continuation to the clinical year requires students to have a minimum 3.0 GPA, strong letters of recommendation and successful interviews. Students who do not continue to the clinical year may change their major and complete either a Biology or Molecular Genetics degree at Fredonia on the same timeline.
The clinical year consists of study in a hospital laboratory where students are supervised and instructed by medical laboratory scientists and physicians. After successful completion of the internship, students receive clinical certification from the hospital, 30 university credits, and the B.S. degree with a major in Medical Laboratory Science from Fredonia. Students are then eligible to take the Board of Registry exam given by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. Passage of the exam results in national board certification. Graduates are also eligible for licensure through the N.Y.S. Education Department Office of the Professions. The only individuals able to work as Clinical Laboratory Technologists in N.Y.S. hospitals are those who have received a B.S. degree in Medical Laboratory Science or related field and have obtained N.Y.S. licensure.
The percentage of Fredonia Medical Laboratory Science students passing the Board of Registry Examination on the first attempt has been 100 percent over the past 10 years, compared to a national passage rate of only 83 percent. Under affiliation agreements entered into by the university, the training of students during the senior clinical internship takes place at the following hospitals under the supervision of clinical Program Directors:
Michele Harms, MS, M.L.S. (ASCP), Program Director, Medical Laboratory Science Program, UPMC Chautauqua WCA, Jamestown, N.Y., Courtesy Faculty, State University of New York at Fredonia.
Stephen Johnson, MS, MT (ASCP), Program Director, Medical Technology Program, St. Vincent’s Hospital, Erie, P.A., Courtesy Faculty, State University of New York at Fredonia.
Elizabeth Karnisky, MIHA, MT (ASCP), Program Director, School of Clinical Laboratory Technology, Rochester General Hospital, Rochester, N.Y., Courtesy Faculty, State University of New York at Fredonia.
Diane Cianciminio-Bordelon, MS, CLS, BSMT (ASCP), Program Director, Medical Laboratory Science Program, Monmouth Medical Center, Monmotuh Medical Center, Courtesy Faculty, State University of New York at Fredonia.
Students wishing to apply to other accredited internship programs may do so upon advisement.
Requirements for Transfer Credit
The Medical Laboratory Science program requires students to complete 34 credit hours of biology courses and 30 credit hours of medical technology courses. Students are expected to complete at least half of the biology courses at Fredonia. Additional credit hours transferred may be used as general electives toward graduation. As a rule, the department will not accept as equivalent for upper level courses, credit earned at two-year colleges.