Let’s tell you a little more about our nationally accredited program!

The Berkshire Medical Center School of Medical Laboratory Science, accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, offers an approximate 10-month program for six full-time students. The school year begins in August and ends the following June. 

During training the student rotates through Hematology, Microbiology, Chemistry, Urinalysis, Serology, Blood Bank and Molecular Biology. Both manual and automated methods are taught. Students work under the supervision of qualified instructors who follow the progress of the student in clinical practice and theory. The didactic portion of each subject is evaluated by written quizzes and final exams. 

Upon completion of the program, the students are presented with a certificate from the school. They are eligible to take the national certification examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification. 

View Our Student Handbook

Admission Requirements

Applicants for admission are considered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, result of genetic testing, age, national origin, disability, status as a veteran, Vietnam era veteran, or being a member of the reserves or National Guard.

Educational Requirements for Admission to the BMC School of Medical Laboratory Science:

• Three years (90 semester hours) of collegiate training from an accredited institution for affiliated students or
• A bachelor’s degree in biology, chemistry, or medical laboratory science.
• Other related degrees will need to be evaluated by the Program Director.

Minimum Requirements for Admission:

All prerequisite course work must be completed prior to the start of the program and have been completed within the last 10 years. Prerequisite courses may be in progress or scheduled to be completed by spring semester during the application period.

• Biological Science (16 semester hours)
  • Microbiology, Immunology, Anatomy/Physiology, and Genetics/Molecular Biology must be included
• Chemistry (16 semester hours)
  • Organic and/or Biochemistry must be included
• 1 College level Mathematics and
  • Statistics or Biostatistics

Additional Courses Recommended:

• Chemistry:  Quantitative Analysis or Analytical Chemistry
• Biological Science: Human Medical Microbiology, Parasitology, Mycology or Hematology
• Other: Physics, Management courses, Research or Clinical Study Design 

Berkshire Medical Center Admission Requirements:

• Student must pass a pre-admission physical, including random urine drug screening
• Provide immunization records and agree to follow the immunization policy of BHS
• Submit to a background investigation following acceptance into the clinical internship

No advance placement is available for our program. Transfer credits and experiential learning credits for university affiliated students are at the discretion of the university registrar. Experiential learning credits for certificate students are at the discretion of the Program Director. Substitutions for the required courses are at the discretion of the Program Director.

How to Apply

THE APPLICATION IS FOR THE BMC MEDICAL LAB SCIENCE CLASS OF 2028

If you are interested in applying to the BMC School of Medical Laboratory Science for the class starting in August of 2027 through June of 2028, here is what you need to know:

• Official transcripts of all college or university credits must be forwarded directly from the school to the Program Director.
• Three letters of recommendation are required.
• The student is expected to have at least an overall GPA of 3.0 and a science GPA of 3.0 for admission into the program.

Selection of applicants is based on:

• Application form
• Cumulative GPA
• Science grades
• Quality of courses
• References
• Interview

Applicants for positions at the School of to Medical Laboratory Science are considered without regard to race, color, creed, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, marital status, result of genetic testing, age, national origin, disability, status as a veteran, Vietnam era veteran, or being a member of the reserves or National Guard.

Current Application period and deadline: August 1, 2026 to December 15, 2026 
Applications need to be emailed or postmarked by 12/15/2026 

Required Application Materials

• Application and Essential Functions (form).
• A current resume.
• A current official transcript of all your college work,
  *International students must have their transcripts evaluated from an approved agency (a list will be provided upon request).
• Three reference letters, one from an employer if possible.
• A personal narrative as to why you have chosen medical laboratory science as a career.
• Please email all required materials to lmoore@bhs1.org
  or mail to the following address:  School of Medical Laboratory Science, 725 North St. Pittsfield, MA 01201

Important Information About Licensure

Some states require licensure to be able to work as a Medical Laboratory Scientist. We highly suggest that prospective students contact the applicable licensing board(s) in the state the student lives or intends to seek employment prior to applying to or attending this internship. Many licensure boards have additional requirements beyond successful completion of our MLS program. Please be advised that state laws, regulations, and policies continually change. These changes can impact the program’s ability to meet the education requirements for licensure. Prospective students and students who have been offered a position in this program are strongly encouraged to check with the licensing board(s) in the state(s) of interest. The Berkshire Medical Center School of Medical Laboratory Science does not guarantee that any specific state licensure or certification agency will approve or deny a student’s application.

*Currently, Massachusetts does not require licensure.

An information packet and application materials listed above can be mailed to you in hard copy upon request. To request application materials in hard copy, e-mail your request to: lmoore@bhs1.org.

Mission, Goals, & Competencies

Mission
Our mission is to provide a comprehensive, up-to-date, high-quality, and affordable education in medical laboratory science. We prepare graduates with the knowledge, technical skills, and professional aptitude required to excel in clinical laboratories and adapt to the evolving healthcare environment.

Program Goals
The goals of Berkshire Medical Center School of School of Medical Laboratory Science are: 

• To provide high quality instruction, both academically and clinically, in all areas of the clinical lab so that students receive a strong knowledge base and clinical skills as evidenced by successful theoretical exams and clinical outcomes.
• To provide graduates with the interpersonal and interdisciplinary skills and experience to effectively communicate and interact with other healthcare professionals, patients, the public or within the professional community.
• To provide graduates with the relevant skills and experience to provide high quality customer service.
• To adequately prepare graduates for the successful completion of the national certification examination.
• To educate medical laboratory scientists for the profession who meet entry level competencies by using the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective domains of learning.
• To provide graduates with adequate skills and experience for clinical interpretation and decision making, quality assurance, process improvement, safety and regulatory compliance.
• To instill graduates with ethical standards to guide professional behavior and judgments.

Objectives & Competencies

Upon successful completion of the medical laboratory science program the graduate will:

• Determine appropriate specimen collection, processing, storage and analysis of specimens to ensure quality lab results by following established procedures. 
• Describe the principles and methodologies for lab testing performed in all areas of the clinical laboratory. 
• Perform manual and automated testing/assays on blood or body fluids that result in valid laboratory results in all areas of the clinical laboratory.  
• Perform routine maintenance, trouble shooting, quality control, and calibrations on instrumentation or test systems following established procedures. 
• Evaluate quality control data and determine course of action when quality control falls outside of range. 
• Interpret laboratory data generated from different laboratory disciplines regarding test accuracy, pathological conditions/disease states, and the relationship to the established reference ranges. 
• Comply with state, federal, institutional, and accrediting or regulatory guidelines as they apply to successful operation of the clinical laboratory. 
• Apply principles and practices of clinical and research study design, implementation and distribution of results.  
• Apply accepted safety practices to work in the clinical laboratory or other healthcare environment. 
• Apply principles of education methodologies to instruct or educate students, new employees, patients, or other healthcare professionals regarding laboratory services. 
• Participate in interprofessional experiences that promote effective communication, collaboration and respect within the healthcare community that improves safety and patient outcomes. 
• Maintain professional competence and growth by continuing education and life long learning. 
• Promote the MLS profession by active participation in professional organizations and community service. 
• Apply general principles of laboratory management and supervision using learned skills regarding lab organization, workforce management, professional development, finance, and laboratory operations. 
• Comply with established protected health information confidentiality guidelines. 
• Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct with all healthcare professionals, the professional community, lab employees, the patients and the public. 
• Use current information systems technology to requisition tests, access information, perform data entry, monitor quality control, and exchange information while complying with confidentiality guidelines.

Rules & Regulations

View our Student Handbook for complete information on our policies and practices.

Tuition, Fees, & Expenses

Tuition
Tuition for the medical laboratory science internship is currently $5,000 for both in-state and out-of-state students. This fee does not include housing, certification exam fee, or other miscellaneous expenses. For refund policies or additional information, call the BMC School of Medical Laboratory Science at 413-447-2580.

Books
A list of required texts will be provided to the student before the start of the internship. All books are to be purchased by the student.

Health Program
A routine physical examination is required at the beginning of the training period. Students are required to follow BHS vaccination policies. For students that will not be covered by health insurance during the clinical internship, please contact the Program Director at 413-447-2580.

Housing and Meals
Student housing may be available within walking distance of BMC for qualified students. Meal costs are the responsibility of the student.

Work
Opportunities to work as a phlebotomist, laboratory assistant, or lab courier are available on a limited basis for all students throughout their internship. Service work in not mandatory and not necessary for successful completion of the program.