About the Program
Get Your Get Your B.A. and & M.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences
The Bachelor of Arts in Biology and the Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences dual degree MS degree is the product of a partnership between the University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston (UTMB) and the University of St. Thomas (UST) to create a combined academic pathway for students using a 3+2 format, in which students complete three years of undergraduate coursework at UST to work toward a Bachelor of Arts in Biology, followed by two years at UTMB to finish their Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences.
The program is designed to facilitate a smoother transition from undergraduate to graduate study while allowing qualified students to earn both degrees in an accelerated timeline and expand their career opportunities.
This wonderful partnership allows students to have the benefit of pursuing their B.A. in Biology and the M.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences. See the programmatic details.
How the Partnership Works
Each student enrolled in the UST-UTMB program will be required to attend UST for approximately three (3) years, completing a minimum of 92 semester credits, and then UTMB for two (2) years and completing 85 semester credits.
Since 28 hours are transferred from UTMB, students will be completing the “15-29 hour transfer core” = 11 courses (33 hours) plus a political science class (3 hours) = 36 hours.
Upon successful completion of the first three years at UST and acceptance into the UTMB program, the student enters the combined UST-UTMB BA-MS degree program.
Upon successful completion of the first year at UTMB, defined as all grades of B or above and GPA ≥3.0, the student is awarded a B.A. in Biology from UST. UTMB grants permission to UST to accept any and/or all MLS undergraduate semester credit hours and MSHP 5302 Scientific Writing taken by students under this agreement for the purpose of satisfying B.A. degree requirements at UST.
Following successful completion of the combined five-year curriculum at UST and UTMB, the student will be granted an M.S. degree from UTMB in MLS.
Program Goals
Your Career as a Medical Laboratory Scientist
The Master of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science MLS in the School of Health Professions is designed to prepare the medical laboratory scientist, for a career in research, teaching or management within medical laboratory medicine. Graduates of this program will obtain research, teaching, and managerial positions in academia, medical laboratories, and in industry.
This wonderful partnership allows students to have the benefit of pursuing their B.A. in Biology and the M.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences. See the programmatic details.
These programs will develop an individual's ability to:
- Utilize the theoretical concepts that are the basis of medical laboratory tests to interpret the significance of results.
- Propose the clinical significance of clinical laboratory tests results.
- Trouble shoot causes of laboratory results with questionable quality control results.
- Recommend appropriate follow up laboratory testing.
- Utilize an advanced knowledge base in management.
- Determine correlation of current techniques with potential new techniques.
- Validate procedures, conduct basic research within the clinical laboratory.
- Formulate a research question, conduct the study, and write/publish the findings.
MLS Graduate Expected Competencies
- Competencies in which the graduate should be productive with the usual orientation provided a new employee:
- Performs analyses on body cells, fluids and products by manual and automated methodology.
- Assumes full accountability for the consequences of his/her actions and test results.
- Organizes work effectively and maintains accurate records.
- Demonstrates an attitude of cooperation and concern in interpersonal relationships with patients and health care personnel.
- Recognizes the necessity for effective communication with patients, health care personnel and the public.
- Competencies in which the graduates should be productive with minimal direction and experiences:
- Applies the laws and principles of basic sciences to clinical laboratory practice.
- Utilizes ethical and legal behavior appropriate for delivery of health care.
- Utilizes quality control to evaluate the validity and reliability of test results.
- Competencies in which the graduate should be productive with moderate direction and experiences:
- Correlates laboratory data and recognizes when a problem exists. Identifies the nature of the problem (instrumentation, reagents, controls, personnel, etc.) and selects appropriate actions for resolution.
- Determines the significance of data generated through an understanding of physiologic function, principles, techniques, and methods related to clinical laboratory practice.
- Continues learning to enhance personal competency and impart knowledge to others.
- Competencies in which the graduate should be productive with moderate direction and experiences with additional education:
- Applies basic management principles of planning, organizing, directing and controlling personnel, data, space, equipment and moneys associated with the clinical laboratory.
- Plans, prepares, teaches and evaluates instructional materials for laboratory personnel.
Marketable Skills
Marketable Skills for medical laboratory scientists include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Monitor operations to ensure compliance with regulations or standards.
- Verify personal information.
- Follow standard healthcare safety procedures to protect patient and staff members.
- Analyze biological or chemical substances or related data.
- Determine operational methods or procedures.
- Develop safety standards, policies, or procedures.
- Maintain current knowledge in area of expertise.
- Clean medical equipment or facilities.
- Research healthcare issues.
- Refer to graphs contained in medical journals, textbooks, trade publications, and web sites to learn about pathologies.
- Locate and collect data from many graphs and accompanying texts to fully distinguish between health and disease.
- Prepare comprehensive, unambiguous procedures and protocols.
- Refer to user manuals to troubleshoot equipment and describe the failures and repairs in maintenance logs. If they are unable to repair equipment, they call service technicians for assistance.
Why UST
Faster Path to Career Success
The B.A.–M.S. pathway represents an investment in student success, academic innovation, and workforce alignment, delivering clear benefits to students, the institution, and the broader healthcare community. These benefits include:
- Streamlining the curriculum to minimize redundant coursework and enable efficient progression into advanced biomedical training.
- Supporting priorities from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board and the Texas Public Policy Foundation by reducing time-to-degree, lowering costs, and accelerating entry into high-demand healthcare careers.
- Improving student outcomes through an accelerated, cost-effective route to a graduate credential, preparing graduates for immediate employment.
- Offering biology majors not pursuing medical school a pathway to specialized, marketable skills and stable careers in health sciences.
- Expanding UST’s academic portfolio with applied, career-focused options while leveraging existing curriculum.
- Strengthening collaboration with UTMB and Houston’s healthcare ecosystem, enhancing visibility and aligning education with regional workforce needs.
Performing Study
Biology Faculty and Leadership
Dr. Alexandra Simmons
The Biology Department is led by Dr. Alexandra Simmons. Biology faculty guide students through coursework, laboratory experiences, research, and preparation for graduate or professional opportunities.