The Endeavor Health Medical Laboratory Science Program prepares future laboratory professionals with rigorous academic instruction and hands-on training in state-of-the-art laboratories. Accredited by NAACLS, the program provides a dynamic hospital-based education that supports excellence in patient care through accurate and timely diagnostics.
The Medical Laboratory Science Program is a one-year, NAACLS-accredited certificate program. It prepares students to become ethical, skilled professionals ready to perform accurate diagnostic testing and support high-quality patient care. Students benefit from a hospital-based learning experience and daily interactions with pathology professionals across a diverse and collaborative health system. Clinical training occurs within Endeavor Health’s advanced medical laboratories at hospitals across northeastern Illinois.
Program structure & curriculum
- 5-week basic laboratory introduction
- 35 weeks of clinical rotations
- Daily live didactic learning
- Mock certification exam modeled after ASCP
- Blood bank
- Hematology
- Chemistry
- Coagulation
- Urinalysis
- Point-of-care testing
- Microbiology, Parasitology, Mycology
- Immunology, Molecular Diagnostics, Phlebotomy
- Transfusion medicine
- Clinical chemistry
- Hematology & coagulation
- Microbiology & virology
- Immunopathology
- Molecular diagnostics
- Laboratory operations, education, & management
Eligibility requirements
- A baccalaureate degree including:
- 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of biological sciences (including microbiology)
- 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) of chemistry
- One immunology course and one mathematics course
- Minimum cumulative GPA: 2.8; Science GPA: 3.0
- Foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an approved agency
- Proof of immunizations and insurance upon acceptance
Application steps
- Submit completed application form with:
- All official transcripts
- Two letters of recommendation (from science faculty or employers)
- Personal statement
- $25 application fee
- Applicants meeting GPA criteria will be invited for an interview at Evanston Hospital
- Admission decisions consider academic performance, references, volunteer work, and interview results
Deadline
Applications for Fall enrollment must be submitted by November 30 of the prior calendar year. All materials, including transcripts, recommendations, and a $25 non-refundable acceptance fee (applied toward tuition), must be received by this date.
International applicants
External transcript evaluations are required.
Students rotate through clinical laboratories at eight Endeavor Health hospitals:
- Evanston Hospital
- Glenbrook Hospital
- Highland Park Hospital
- Skokie Hospital
- Swedish Hospital
- Northwest Community Hospital
- Elmhurst Hospital
- Edward Hospital
The program also includes daily live didactic training and in-person skill development in modern, accredited labs with advanced diagnostic technologies
Endeavor Health maintains academic affiliations with:
- Roosevelt University
- Purdue University
- Elmhurst University
Program director
- Tyrie Gardner, MS, MT(ASCP)
MLS educators
- Stephanie Mendoza, MSHA, MLS(ASCP)CM
- Brailey Nudera, MSc, MLS(ASCP)CM
Life as a student
The Medical Laboratory Science Program offers a focused, immersive experience supported by practical resources, clinical diversity and accessible training locations.
Tuition is $8,000 for the year, paid in four equal installments. Students must carry personal health insurance and professional liability coverage, both required before clinical training begins.
Students train in hospital laboratories with modern equipment and integrated electronic health records. Clinical rotations take place across eight Endeavor Health sites for broad, real-world experience.
The program includes didactic lectures, case studies, quizzes and a mock certification exam. Faculty include medical laboratory scientists, PhDs and pathologists teaching across key laboratory disciplines.
Schedule adjustments are allowed with advance notice. The program encourages a respectful, team-oriented environment that supports learning and well-being.
Free parking is available at most sites. Training hospitals are located across Chicago and the northern suburbs, with several accessible by Metra, CTA and Pace transit options.
The Medical Laboratory Science Program continually achieves its mission and goals and is reflected by the success of our outcome measures.
- 100% graduation rate
- 100% job placement rate
- 86% BOC pass rate
Tyrie Gardner, MS, MT(ASCP)
Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine
Evanston Hospital
2650 Ridge Avenue
Evanston, IL 60201
Email: %20mlsprogram [at] northshore.org (mlsprogram[at]northshore[dot]org)
Phone: (847) 570-2737
