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Senior medical laboratory scientist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a senior medical laboratory scientist. Senior medical laboratory scientists usually study clinical/medical laboratory science, medical technician, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 71% of senior medical laboratory scientists hold a bachelor's degree, and 18% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 24 real senior medical laboratory scientist resumes to see exactly what senior medical laboratory scientist education sections show.

The most common colleges for senior medical laboratory scientists are the Virginia Commonwealth University and the Virginia Commonwealth University.

There are also many online senior medical laboratory scientist courses to help get the education required to be a senior medical laboratory scientist.

What education do you need to become a senior medical laboratory scientist?

What degree do you need to be a senior medical laboratory scientist?

The most common degree for senior medical laboratory scientists is bachelor's degree, with 71% of senior medical laboratory scientists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 18% and master's degree degree at 12%.
  • Bachelor's, 71%
  • Master's, 18%
  • Associate, 12%

What should I major in to become a senior medical laboratory scientist?

You should major in clinical/medical laboratory science to become a senior medical laboratory scientist. 55% of senior medical laboratory scientists major in clinical/medical laboratory science. Other common majors for a senior medical laboratory scientist include medical technician and biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology.

Most common colleges for senior medical laboratory scientists

Senior medical laboratory scientists often get their degrees at Virginia Commonwealth University, Michigan State University, and Ferris State University. Here are the most common colleges for senior medical laboratory scientists in the US based on their resumes.
Senior medical laboratory scientist common collegePercentages
Virginia Commonwealth University12.50%
Michigan State University12.50%
Ferris State University12.50%
University of North Texas12.50%
National University12.50%

Best majors for senior medical laboratory scientists

Best colleges for senior medical laboratory scientists

The best colleges for senior medical laboratory scientists are Duke University, Harvard University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

A senior medical laboratory scientist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for senior medical laboratory scientists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become senior medical laboratory scientists.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

2. University of Southern California

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$56,225

Enrollment

19,548

3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

4. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

5. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

6. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

In-state tuition

$53,430

Enrollment

5,963

7. University of California - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$13,226

Enrollment

31,568

8. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

9. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

10. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

20 best online courses for senior medical laboratory scientists

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1. Medical Terminology II

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This is the second course of the Medical Terminology specialization. It builds on the basic concepts of medical terminology with the introduction of new roots, terms, and abbreviations specific to the endocrine system (hormones). The body's transportation and defense systems (cardiovascular, blood, and lymphatic) will also be covered as well as the respiratory system (lungs)...

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In this Introduction to Medical Terminology and the Human Body course, you will learn about the medical language that is used to describe the human body. Throughout each Lesson, the roots of terms are explained to help students understand how medical terminology works in healthcare and to increase their knowledge and understanding of the material discussed. This course will provide you with a better understanding and working knowledge of medicine that is required for understanding of medical...

3. Practical Regulatory Affairs 2020 - US FDA Medical Devices

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A practical course discussing the US FDA Medical Device regulations for real-world situations...

4. Medical Device Regulation 2017/745 EU regulatory affairs.

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4.3
(764)

Understand regulations for medical devices in simple terms to gain market approval of a medical device in the EU...

5. Medical Terminology

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(3,688)

Introduction to the meaning of various roots, terms and combining forms that are components of medical words...

6. ICD 10 & 11 Medical Coding and Billing

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Preparation for Medical Coding Certification Exam...

7. Deep Learning with PyTorch for Medical Image Analysis

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8. Introduction to Medical Imaging

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Your guide to the history, science, math, and economics of medical imaging systems (e.g., X-ray, CT, MRI, Ultrasound)...

9. Medical Writing for Healthcare Professionals

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10. ISO 13485 - IQOQPQ - Process Validation for Medical Devices

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Installation Qualification (IQ), Operational Qualification (OQ) & Performance Qualification (PQ) Medical Devices...

11. Medical Device Regulation (MDR): Intro for Device Designers

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13. AMCI Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course

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Introduction to Medical Coding (I2MC) Course...

14. ISO 13485 Demystified - Medical Devices' QMS 360° Insights

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Deep dive into the world of ISO 13485 international standard for medical devices' QMS, basic concepts & requirements...

15. Understanding Medications and Therapeutics

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Helping you build the best foundation to truly understand medications and develop clinical reasoning skills...

16. Speak Medical Spanish to Your Patients and Clients

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Spanish essentials for healthcare; program teaches correct pronunciation, pain management and medication, among others...

17. EU Medical Device Regulatory Affairs explained Simply

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4.3
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How to get approval to sell Medical Devices within the European Union. Understand regulatory affairs & ISO 13485 2016...

18. Medical Device Process Validation. ISO 13485. IQ OQ PQ.

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4.4
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Validate a process to gain approval to sell medical devices in the EU, U.S. & Internationally. Compliance to ISO 13485...

19. Medical Terminology 101

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For those in healthcare, billing, and more. Boost earning ability and marketable skills by learning to speak medicine...

20. Medical Coding: ICD-10-CM Diagnosis Code Training

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Learn medical coding and prepare yourself for today's healthcare workplace...

Top 10 most affordable universities for senior medical laboratory scientists

The most affordable schools for senior medical laboratory scientists are University of Florida, hunter college of the city university of new york, and california state university - long beach.

If the best universities for senior medical laboratory scientists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for senior medical laboratory scientists.

1. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

4. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

5. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

6. California State University - Fullerton

Fullerton, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,886

Cost of attendance

17,645

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

8. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

9. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York

Brooklyn, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,240

Cost of attendance

13,991

10. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for senior medical laboratory scientists

The hardest universities for senior medical laboratory scientists to get into are Duke University, Harvard University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Some great schools for senior medical laboratory scientists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for senior medical laboratory scientists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. Stanford University

Stanford, CA • Private

Admissions rate

4%

SAT average

1,497

6. Yale University

New Haven, CT • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,517

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

10. University of Chicago

Chicago, IL • Private

Admissions rate

7%

SAT average

1,520

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for senior medical laboratory scientists

The easiest schools for senior medical laboratory scientists to get into are D'Youville College, mount saint mary's university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a senior medical laboratory scientist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for senior medical laboratory scientists.

1. D'Youville College

Buffalo, NY • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,072

2. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

5. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

6. The University of Texas at El Paso

El Paso, TX • Private

Admissions rate

100%

SAT average

1,035

7. Notre Dame de Namur University

Belmont, CA • Private

Admissions rate

82%

SAT average

983

8. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

9. Thomas More University

Crestview Hills, KY • Private

Admissions rate

90%

SAT average

1,099

10. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

Average senior medical laboratory scientist salary by education level

Senior medical laboratory scientists with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $72,315 annually. With a Master's degree, senior medical laboratory scientists earn a median annual income of $68,452 compared to $66,954 for senior medical laboratory scientists with an Bachelor's degree.
Senior medical laboratory scientist education levelSenior medical laboratory scientist salary
Master's Degree$68,452
Bachelor's Degree$66,954
Doctorate Degree$72,315

Senior medical laboratory scientist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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