Introduction

The Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Program in Medical Laboratory Science, is one of the largest in the country and is nationally recognized for its excellence.  It was one of the first programs in the US to stress in-depth academic coursework in addition to experience in the clinical setting.  The program is a leader in the teaching of biomolecular techniques, instrumentation, and computer interfacing of laboratory instruments.

The BS curriculum is a program where the first half of the curriculum (approximately two years full-time) is spent taking prerequisite science and math courses and non-science liberal arts courses.  These courses may be taken at the UB or another accredited institution.  In the final half of the curriculum (two years full-time), students take Medical Laboratory Science program courses.  Classes and labs are taught in small groups for effective teaching in the laboratory.  The final semester of the senior year is spent in clinical rotations in local and regional hospital laboratories which have formal affiliation agreements with the Department.

The Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences is within the Jacobs School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.

The program in Medical Laboratory Science at the University at Buffalo is very proud of our history, and look forward to an exciting future:

• 1962: Three students, the first graduating class, were awarded the Bachelor of Science degree. 
  
• 1965: The Departments of Medical Technology, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy were transferred from the Medical School to the newly formed School of Health Related Professions within the Faculty of Health Sciences. 
  
• 2000: The name of the Department was changed to the Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences, which now includes undergraduate programs in Biotechnology, Medical Technology, Nuclear Medicine Technology and a graduate program in Biotechnology. 
  
• 2003: The Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences was moved administratively to the School of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences in recognition of a commonality of academic and research missions
• 2005: The Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences accepts approximately 20-30 student in each program:  Medical Laboratory Science and Biotechnology
• 2006: New York State establishes licensure for Clinical Laboratory Practitioners; UB BCLS responds to the academic standards.
• 2007: New York State Education Department conducts a review on the Biotechnology Program; the UB Biotechnology Program is successfully and positively reviewed.  
  
• 2010: BCLS Department Program in Medical Technology is registered by New York State Department of Education as license-eligible. 
  
• 2012: BCLS Department Program in Medical Technology prepares self-study for NAACLS reaccreditation review and is successful in reaccreditation in 2012.
• 2013: New York State Education Department conducts a review on the Biotechnology Program; the UB Biotechnology Program is successfully and positively reviewed.  
  
• 2019: BCLS prepares for NYS ED Department review in 2020.
• 2023: New York State Education Department approves the name cange from Medical Technologt to Medical Laboratory Science.

Accreditation is the process by which a review by outside agencies certifies that an educational program at a higher educational institution (a school, college, or the like) meets all formal official requirements of academic excellence, curriculum, facilities, etc.

The Department of Biotechnical and Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Program in Medical Laboratory Science is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Students who successfully complete the Medical Laboratory Science program and University requirements for degree conferral are granted a Bachelor of Science degree.  Students entering the Medical Laboratory Science Program who have previously earned a baccalaureate degree are advised that successful completion of the curriculum will result in being awarded a Bachelor of Science degree.  No other degree or certificate is granted for Program completion for these students.

Certification is the process by which a nongovernmental agency or association recognizes the competence of an individual who has met predetermined qualifications. 

The American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) is an association that provides certification examinations for laboratory professionals.  The ASCP Board of Certification certifies individuals upon completion of academic prerequisites, clinical laboratory experience and education, and successful performance on an examination. 

All graduates of the University at Buffalo's Medical Laboratory Science program are eligible to take the national certification examination offered by the Board of Certification, American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP).  Degree conferral is not contingent on taking or passing any external certification or licensure examination. 

Licensure is a process by which a government agency recognizes an individual or institution through
legislation enacted to allow practice of an occupation.

1. New York State requires that Medical Laboratory Scientists be licensed to practice as Clinical Laboratory Practitioners, starting in September 2006.  The information about New York State licensed professions is available from official New York State offices.  New York State licensure is monitored by the New York State Department of Education and the New York State Office of the Professions.  Frequent visits to the web sites can be made to identify updates on the information.
2. New York State has identified the ASCP Board of Certification as the licensure qualifying examination, and requires verification of a successfully passed score on the ASCP Board of Certification Examination as part of NYS licensure application.
   
3. The UB Medical Laboratory Science Program is registered with NYS Education Department as “license-eligible”.

A professional society (also called professional organizations and professional associations) is a non-profit organization that seeks to further the profession of a group of trained professionals, both for the good of the individuals and the good of society.  Membership is comprised of the dedicated, serious members of the profession. Many people find that membership in a professional society adds credibility to the profession and connects them to like-minded individuals.

Benefits of joining a professional society can be many.

• Newsletter/journal publication: on-line and in-print
• Conference and convention sponsorship
• Continuing education opportunities
• Job bank and networking opportunities
• Promotion and protection of the profession
• Education of the public
• Scholarship opportunities for students
• Discount programs

Each professional society will set the membership criteria in accordance with their mission; for example, some professional societies are open only to MLS professionals, others are open to a variety of laboratory & health-related professionals.  Professional societies often have free or reduced memberships for students.

Most students and recent graduates of Medical Laboratory Science Programs consider joining ASCLS:

Professional societies can also be particular to a specialty. Below are some of the specialized societies: