Skip to main content
Request Info Visit Apply
Home / Academics / Programs

School of Medicine

Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics, BS

Are you a naturally curious person who likes to answer tough questions? Do you want to make your mark in a clinical setting, but behind the scenes?

Professionals in the field of biomedical laboratory diagnostics act as disease detectives, performing routine and specialized testing on fluid or tissue samples. Through their work, they play a critical role in the laboratory diagnoses that support 70% of medical decisions.

The BS in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics offers two tracks: medical laboratory science and histotechnology.

You can be admitted into the major directly out of high school or later in your undergraduate career. You are then admitted into one of the two tracks after completing the prerequisite courses at a WVU System campus (Morgantown, Beckley or Keyser) or an accredited college or university.

Your Degree Plan The WVU Difference Learn by Doing Careers and Outcomes Admission Requirements Tuition and Aid Take the Next Steps

Your Degree Plan

Intro

Aerial view of Martin and Woodburn Halls

Prepare to join an in-demand and growing profession by earning a degree in biomedical laboratory diagnostics, with a specialization in either medical laboratory science or histotechnology.

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

Tailor this major to your interests by focusing your coursework in one of these areas:

  • Histotechnology

    Histotechnologists are integral to the success of the anatomic pathology department. They perform routine and complex procedures to preserve and process tissue specimens, detect the presence or absence of disease in tissue specimens and provide data to aid pathologists in determining the diagnosis, prognosis and best treatment for the patient.

  • Medical Laboratory Science

    Medical laboratory scientists discover the presence or absence of disease in blood and body fluids and provide data that help healthcare providers determine the best treatment for the patient. They generate critical data for identifying and treating cancer, heart disease, diabetes and other health conditions.

Take advantage of special options related to this major:

  • Honors

    Expand your curiosity — and enhance your curriculum — through the WVU Honors College. Two programs are offered: Honors Foundations for first- and second-year students and Honors EXCEL for third- and fourth-year students.

    Explore Honors

The WVU Difference

What sets this program apart from its competitors?

  • Every student – regardless of track – completes a full-time practicum or clinical rotation during their final semester.
  • Our accredited histotechnology (HTL) program is one of only five at the baccalaureate level in the U.S. and the only HTL program in the Middle Atlantic, Northeast and Midwest regions.
  • The WVU School of Medicine is also home to one of 12 graduate Pathologists' Assistant programs in the U.S. We are the only university in the U.S. to house both an undergraduate histotechnology and a graduate Pathologists' Assistant program.
  • The unique 2 + 2 major structure allows you to be directly admitted from high school or apply to the major after completing prerequisite courses (either at WVU or another two- or four-year college or university).
  • Due to a nationwide shortage of clinical laboratory professionals, graduates have had a 100% placement rate for the last three years, meaning they found a job in the field or went to graduate or professional school within one year of graduation.
Scholarships

Over 92% of WVU freshmen receive grants or scholarships (2022-2023).

Learn more

Learn by Doing

Learning happens outside the classroom. Get involved.

Connect with other students who share your academic interests as a member of:

View all of the student organizations you can join.

Network with professionals in your field as a student member of:

Live, study and pursue outside-the-classroom learning in a residence hall community that shares your interests:

Outside of the Evansdale Crossing building.

What you learn outside of the classroom is just as important as what you learn during class. We’ll help you follow your curiosity.

Careers and Outcomes

How does this degree prepare students for a career?

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff.

Median Salary: $57,380

Possible job titles include: Medical Laboratory Technologist (Medical Lab Tech).

Explore Career

Histotechnologists

Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies.

Median Salary: $57,380

Possible job titles include: Histology Technologist.

Explore Career

Career options

Many graduates work in hospital or doctor’s office laboratories where they provide information to physicians necessary to make diagnoses, treat patients and monitor patient conditions.

Others work in veterinary clinics, forensic pathology, public health or research – to name a few of the many career pathways possible with a degree in biomedical laboratory diagnostics.

Our graduates also have the skill and education to pursue managerial positions within the professional setting of their choice.

Where our grads are working

Biomedical laboratory diagnostics graduates have gone to work at:

  • Charleston Area Medical Center (CAMC)
  • Merck Pharmaceuticals
  • Mon Health
  • Quest Diagnostics
  • University of Pittsburgh Medical Center (UPMC)
  • WVU Medicine

Further your education

Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics equips you with a unique body of knowledge that provides excellent preparation for:

  • medical school
  • dental school
  • physician’s assistant programs
  • pathologists’ assistant programs
  • graduate research in cancer cell biology and other areas

Admission Requirements

To be admitted to WVU's Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics major, first-time freshmen must meet WVU's first-time freshman admission requirements for the 2024-25 academic year. Interested in transferring? Review the transfer admission requirements.

Tuition and Aid

How much does Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics at WVU cost? And how can you save?

Tuition and Fees

Estimated rates are available on our tuition website. Anyone who is not a current West Virginia resident, including international students, will be charged non-resident rates.

View Tuition and Fees

Scholarships

Estimate your eligibility for merit scholarships at WVU Morgantown.

Find Scholarships

Net Price Calculator

Estimate your cost of attendance and eligibility for financial aid and scholarships at any WVU System campus.

Visit the Net Price Calculator

Ways to Save

Here are a few ways for you to save on the cost of attending WVU in addition to university scholarships.

Financial Aid

The most important step toward funding your future with financial aid for the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics major is submitting the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, or FAFSA.

How to Complete the FAFSA

Transfer Articulation Agreements

To simplify the transfer process, we have formal agreements with certain institutions. These agreements outline the courses you should take to prepare for transferring to WVU.

Review the full list of transfer articulation agreements to see if your institution is listed.

Learn How to Transfer Course Credits

Ready to take the next step?

Learn how to join the WVU family.

Request Info

Want to know more about Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics at WVU? Fill out our request form to receive more information.

Request Info

Visit

​​Experiencing campus is the best way to see if WVU is the right fit. Choose from in-person and virtual options.

Visit WVU

Apply

Your first step to becoming a Mountaineer is applying for admission using our convenient online application.

Apply Now