Two Maine universities are joining forces to launch an online medical laboratory science degree aimed at expanding career pathways for laboratory professionals and addressing the growing healthcare workforce needs across Maine.
The degree will be offered by the University of Maine at Presque Isle and the University of Maine at Augusta. The joint program offers a fully online pathway from medical laboratory technician to medical laboratory science and the state’s only bachelor’s degree in this field.
“By creating a flexible pathway for working laboratory professionals to advance their education, UMA and UMPI are expanding career opportunities for Mainers while helping hospitals and healthcare providers meet a growing need for highly trained laboratory scientists,” said Jenifer Cushman, president of the University of Maine at Augusta.
Designed for working professionals who have earned an associate’s degree in medical laboratory technology, the program is intended to help them advance into higher-level practices and leadership roles.
“Laboratory professionals are the backbone of modern medicine, yet they are often the unsung heroes of healthcare,” said Ray Rice, president of UMPI. “This program creates new opportunities for career advancement and helps ensure that hospitals and clinics in Maine and beyond have the skilled laboratory scientists they need to deliver quality care.”
In 2024, the two universities partnered on what they describe as Maine’s only medical laboratory program.
Applications are now being accepted for the new program, which was approved by the University of Maine System board of trustees in September. The new degree will launch in fall 2026
