MLS Undergraduate Program: After the Program

Student and faculty member in lab coatsASCP 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, Georgia, Hawaii, Louisiana, Montana, Nevada, New York, North Dakota, Puerto Rico, Rhode Island, 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.

First Time Pass Rate by Year
Year

UW

National
2015 95% 78%
2016 100% 79%
2017 100% 83%
2018 92% 82%
2019 100% 83%
2020 97% 80%
2021 100% 76%
2022 92% 75%

Mean Scaled Score

Mean Scaled Score by Year
Year

UW

National
2015 549 488
2016 594 495
2017 575 491
2018 538 516
2019 575 505
2020 579 493
2021 590 482
2022 519 474

EmploymentThree students in lab coats and protective glasses

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..."

Employment Rate by Year
Year

Number of Graduates

Number employed as an MLS within six months of graduation
2015 25 22 (88%)
2016 28 25 (89%)
2017 22 22 (100%)
2018 27 26 (96%)
2019 26 26 (100%)
2020 29 27 (93%)
2021 28 25 (89%)
2022 30 26 (87%)

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

Graduation Rates by Year
Year

Number of Students Started

Number of Students Graduated
2015 30 25 (83%)
2016 28 28 (100%)
2017 25 22 (88%)
2018 29 27 (93%)
2019 31 26 (84%)
2020 30 29 (97%)
2021 29 28 (97%)
2022 32 30 (94%)

UW Career and Internship Resources

UW Career and Internship Center: Health

UW Career and Internship Center: Physical Life Sciences