Medical Laboratory Science

Welcome to Medical Laboratory Science

The four-year program in medical laboratory science is designed to prepare medical laboratory scientists for responsible positions in management and specialty areas with an in-depth understanding of diseases and their identification in the medical laboratory. This program also provides a clinically oriented baccalaureate degree program for students desiring to meet pre-medicine, pre-dental, and graduate school requirements.

The medical laboratory science program consists of three years of study at Washington Adventist University, followed by a 12- or 13-month senior year in a hospital-based medical laboratory science program. The hospital program affiliated with Washington Adventist University is Andrews University, which is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. The Washington Adventist University degree is awarded after satisfactory completion of all Washington Adventist University prerequisites, and the clinical year under the auspices of Andrews University, subject to receipt of an official transcript from Andrews University and the transfer of the courses to Washington Adventist University. Upon completion of the program, the student is eligible to sit for the appropriate national certifying examination. Completion of the senior year in another hospital-based accredited program requires prior university approval.

The mission of the medical laboratory science program is to provide a foundation for training moral and ethical individuals who are committed to life-long learning and personal excellence.

Career Opportunities

Medical laboratory scientists/medical technologists may find employment in hospital laboratories, doctor’s offices, or commercial laboratories. Additional opportunities exist in research and industrial laboratories, sales, and teaching. Because of the increased importance of laboratory tests in medical diagnosis and the initiation of new government health care programs, an increased need exists for medical laboratory scientists/medical technologists. The medical laboratory scientist program is also designed to meet pre-professional program requirements for medicine, dentistry, and graduate schools.

Programs Offered

Medical Laboratory Science (BS)

Pre-professional programs

For details about the pre-professional programs offered at Washington Adventist University, please visit the Biology department website.

Course Descriptions

Read the Medical Laboratory Science section of the Academic bulletin.

More information:

For more information about the department, please check out the following links:

Programmatic Admission Information

Progression Requirements

Statement of Student Responsibility

Department Information

Faculty: WAU
Melinda Ekkens-Villanueva, Education Coordinator
Sam Perez
Melvin Roberts

Faculty: Andrews University
Karen Reiner, BSMLS, MSCLS; Chair and Clinical Coordinator
Timothy A. Newkirk, BSMT, MSMLS
Daniel Gonazlez, BSCLS, MSMLS
Tasha Simpson, BSMT, MS
Melissa Poua, BSCLS
Dana Eillis

For program information, contact:

Dr. Melinda Ekkens-Villanueva
Phone: 301-891-4462
Fax: 301-576-0167
E-mail: mvillanu@wau.edu
Room 102D, Science Building