Pre-Medical Laboratory Science
Medical Lab Scientists perform complex tests to help diagnose, monitor and treat diseases. You’ll use advanced instruments, molecular techniques and evidence-based practices to make informed clinical decisions. We are designed to prepare you for a university Medical Lab Science program.
Brand new to Butler?
Find Your Fit: Discover Our Programs
If you're a current student, please direct your questions to an advisor.
Lab Scientists Train Here
You gain in-depth knowledge of microbiology, clinical chemistry and hematology. You also learn immunology, transfusion medicine and molecular diagnostics to prep you for an immediate position in the career.
With the lab skills you build here, you will have the tools you need to apply to a nationally accredited MLS bachelor’s degree program. Our program will lead you to long-term career mobility as a professional in the future.
You can also add a student worker position to your experience for more hands-on biology.
In-Demand and Essential Healthcare Career
About 70% of medical decisions rely on lab results and the job demand is growing nationwide. With advancements in diagnostic testing and molecular diagnostics, you’ll have many career options.
After earning your degrees from Butler and a university, you qualify for jobs in a wide range of settings, like
- Hospitals labs
- Public health labs
- Diagnostic reference labs
- Biotechnology companies
- Physician offices
- Fertility clinics
- Research institutions
University Transfer and Future Career Options
Our program is designed to introduce you to the fundamentals of a Medical Laboratory Science career before you apply to a medical lab science school in the future. Once you earn your associate degree, you have transfer options to build on your Butler experience.
Your Pre-Medical Laboratory Science education can lead you to a future in careers like:
- Clinical Lab Scientist
- Blood Bank Tech
- Veterinary Diagnostic Tech
Am I good fit?
A career as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, also called Clinical Lab Scientist and Medical Technologist, might be right for you if you...
- enjoy hands-on scientific work and lab analysis
- want a respected and essential science career
- prefer clinical roles without direct patient care
- seek strong job security, high demand and advancement opportunities
- plan to pursue additional careers in the future, such as forensic science, molecular diagnostics or a graduate program
Classes You'll Take
These are some examples of courses in our Pre-Medical Lab Science program.
- Organic Chemistry
- Microbiology
- Anatomy & Physiology
Pre-Medical Laboratory Science (Associate of Science)
Student Lab Assistant
Get Paid to Gain Experience
If science experiments and lab work are your comfort zone, you may enjoy working as a student lab assistant. You can earn money and gain valuable experience at the same time. When you become a lab assistant, you learn to use petri dishes to grow microbes, incubate specimens and care for modern lab equipment. We are flexible with your class schedule and offer positions for the El Dorado campus. Please note available positions fill quickly.
Additional Information
