MLS Undergraduate Program: After the Program
ASCP BOC Exam Scores
After completion of the University of Washington Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Bachelor of Science Program, graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS). Successful completion of the Board of Certification (BOC) exam provides eligibility for employment in clinical laboratories anywhere in the United States.
In addition to ASCP certification, the following states do require state licensure: California, Florida, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Tennessee, and West Virginia.
First Time Pass Rate
The University of Washington MLS Program graduates have consistently performed above the national average on the first attempt at taking the BOC. This is illustrated below by comparing the UW program's first-time pass rate and the overall comprehensive scores to the national average for the past five years.
| Year |
UW |
National |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 97% | 80% |
| 2021 | 100% | 76% |
| 2022 | 92% | 75% |
| 2023 | 96% | 74% |
| 2024 | 100% | 77% |
Mean Scaled Score
| Year |
UW |
National |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 579 | 493 |
| 2021 | 590 | 482 |
| 2022 | 519 | 474 |
| 2023 | 555 | 476 |
| 2024 | 566 | 478 |
Employment
Medical Laboratory Scientists are highly sought-after professionals because they are a critical part of the healthcare team. Additionally, there is a national shortage of qualified laboratory personnel making employment opportunities for new graduates plentiful. As evidenced below, many of the University of Washington MLS Program students are able to secure employment as Medical Laboratory Scientists even before they graduate.
Medical Laboratory Scientist is listed in USA Today's 2019 article about college majors with the lowest unemployment, with only 1.74% of students completing this major being unemployed. The article also states how people with this degree earn "more than double the average earnings for all college graduates..."
| Year |
Number of Graduates |
Number employed as an MLS within six months of graduation |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | 26 | 26 (100%) |
| 2020 | 29 | 27 (93%) |
| 2021 | 28 | 25 (89%) |
| 2022 | 30 | 26 (87%) |
| 2023 | 27 | 25 (93%) |
Some of our graduates choose to pursue graduate studies in various disciplines as well, which accounts for the majority of the students not employed as an MLS upon graduation.
Graduation Rates
| Year |
Number of Students Started |
Number of Students Graduated |
|---|---|---|
| 2020 | 30 | 29 (97%) |
| 2021 | 29 | 28 (97%) |
| 2022 | 32 | 30 (94%) |
| 2023 | 34 | 27 (79%) |
| 2024 | 35 | 34 (97%) |
UW Career and Internship Resources
UW Career and Internship Center: Health
UW Career and Internship Center: Physical Life Sciences