Medical Laboratory Science Schools

MTSMedical Laboratory Science

“While many people may not realize it, most medical decisions—from diagnosis to treatment— are based on laboratory test results generated by these professionals. They are the behind-the-scenes experts ensuring data accuracy that physicians and other healthcare professionals rely on to make informed decisions.”

– Payman Nasr, PhD, Associate Professor and Chairperson of the Clinical Science Department at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH)

It may be reassuring to know that trained medical laboratory technologists, often called clinical laboratory scientists (CLS) or medical laboratory scientists (MLS), are behind the more complex procedures being carried out on patient specimens in a laboratory.

Due to the broad level of knowledge required in biology, chemistry, and microbiology, these professionals can specialize in several areas, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2025). Degree specialties in medical or clinical laboratory science include immunology (carrying out specimen tests on the human immune system and its reaction to foreign bodies), immunohematology (collecting, classifying, and preparing blood for use in transfusions), and molecular biology (carrying out protein and nucleic acid tests on samples of cells).

Aspiring medical laboratory scientists can earn a bachelor’s degree in a general or specialized field of science from one of many medical laboratory science schools.

University of West Florida

Online BS - Clinical Laboratory Sciences (MLT Cert Required)

Online BS - Health Sciences

Arizona State University

Biochemistry - Medicinal Chemistry (BS)

Biological Sciences - Biomedical Sciences (BS)

Biology (MS)

Biomedical Diagnostics (MS)

Youngstown State University

Online BSAS - Allied Health

An MLS can enter many other specialty fields, including cytotechnology, microbiology, and clinical chemistry. Unlike clinical laboratory technicians, who usually have an associate degree, medical laboratory scientists are qualified and certified to carry out more complex procedures.

When employed in a small lab, an MLS may do various tests, but when working in a larger lab, they may be able to specialize. Read on to learn more about the educational requirements for an MLS and what types of certifications may be available to help them discover the best possible job outcomes.

MLS Fast Facts
Projected Jobs Created	18,200
Projected Job Growth	5 percent
Average Salary	$65,320
Low Salary	$38,020
High Salary	$97,990
Entry-Level EDU	Bachelor’s Degree

Sourced from BLS 2025

Meet the Expert: Payman Nasr, PhD, MT, ASCP

Payman Nasr, PhD

Dr. Payman Nasr is an associate professor and chairperson of the Clinical Science Department at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). He earned his bachelor’s of science in clinical laboratory sciences and a doctorate degree in neurobiology in 2003, followed by a postdoctoral fellowship in cellular physiology and molecular biology at the University of Kentucky, Lexington. He joined Kent State University in Ohio in 2004. He served as an associate professor in the Department of Biological Sciences until 2014.

Dr. Nasr holds professional membership with the American College of Clinical Pathologists, the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Scientists, and the California Association of Clinical Laboratory Scientists.

His teaching is extensive and covers medical courses, including human gross anatomy, clinical hematology, pathophysiology, and body fluid analysis. He has published several manuscripts on teaching effectiveness and students’ success. In 2019, he received the Theriot Award—an annual national recognition for teaching innovation and creativity granted by the American Society of Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about CLSs or MLSs?

Dr. Nasr: Medical laboratory scientists (MLS), also known as clinical laboratory scientists (CLS) or medical technologists (MT), play a critical yet often underappreciated role in healthcare.

While many people may not realize it, most medical decisions—from diagnosis to treatment— are based on laboratory test results generated by these professionals. They are the behind-the-scenes experts ensuring data accuracy that physicians and other healthcare professionals rely on to make informed decisions. I wish the public understood the complexity and precision required in this field and the extensive education and training that goes into becoming a CLS/MLS. We are not simply “lab techs”—we are vital healthcare team members responsible for the accuracy and integrity of patient results.

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring CLS or MLS students?

Dr. Nasr: First, be prepared to work closely with human specimens such as blood, urine, stool, and spinal fluid, among many others. This is a central part of the job, and it’s important to feel comfortable handling these materials, as they are the key to providing accurate diagnostic information.

Second, build a strong foundation in the sciences, particularly in biology and chemistry, as these will serve as the backbone of your work in the lab. Third, embrace continuous learning. The field is constantly evolving with new technologies like Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS), so staying current on the latest advancements is essential for long-term success.

Finally, attention to detail and precision are critical. Even the smallest error can impact patient care, so always approach your work with diligence, knowing that accuracy in our field can make all the difference in a patient’s care and outcome.

List of Medical Laboratory Science Schools (Campus-Based)

Filter by state

School	City	State	Website	Grads (’23)
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	Cincinnati	OH	www.uc.edu	187
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee	Milwaukee	WI	uwm.edu	174
University of North Dakota	Grand Forks	ND	und.edu	102
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center	Lubbock	TX	www.ttuhsc.edu	73
Ohio State University-Main Campus	Columbus	OH	www.osu.edu	71
Michigan State University	East Lansing	MI	msu.edu	70
Virginia Commonwealth University	Richmond	VA	www.vcu.edu	50
CUNY Hunter College	New York	NY	hunter.cuny.edu	45
California State University-Dominguez Hills	Carson	CA	www.csudh.edu	44
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-San German	San German	PR	www.sg.inter.edu	38
University of Massachusetts-Lowell	Lowell	MA	www.uml.edu	36
Stony Brook University	Stony Brook	NY	www.stonybrook.edu	35
Brigham Young University	Provo	UT	www.byu.edu	34
University of Puerto Rico-Medical Sciences	San Juan	PR	rcm1.rcm.upr.edu	34
Tarleton State University	Stephenville	TX	www.tarleton.edu	34
CUNY York College	Jamaica	NY	www.york.cuny.edu	34
Illinois State University	Normal	IL	illinoisstate.edu	33
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Metro	San Juan	PR	metro.inter.edu	33
University of Utah	Salt Lake City	UT	www.utah.edu	33
The University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio	San Antonio	TX	uthscsa.edu	32
Wright State University-Main Campus	Dayton	OH	www.wright.edu	32
University of Washington-Seattle Campus	Seattle	WA	www.washington.edu	30
The University of Texas at El Paso	El Paso	TX	www.utep.edu	29
University of Minnesota-Twin Cities	Minneapolis	MN	twin-cities.umn.edu	28
Rush University	Chicago	IL	www.rushu.rush.edu	28
University of Central Florida	Orlando	FL	www.ucf.edu	28
Georgia Southern University	Statesboro	GA	www.georgiasouthern.edu	26
Santa Fe College	Gainesville	FL	www.sfcollege.edu	26
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus	Gurabo	PR	uagm.edu/es	25
Oakland University	Rochester Hills	MI	www.oakland.edu	25
Upstate Medical University	Syracuse	NY	www.upstate.edu	25
University of Kansas	Lawrence	KS	ku.edu	24
Saint Cloud State University	Saint Cloud	MN	www.stcloudstate.edu	24
University of Delaware	Newark	DE	www.udel.edu	24
University of Nebraska Medical Center	Omaha	NE	www.unmc.edu	24
University of Wisconsin-La Crosse	La Crosse	WI	www.uwlax.edu	24
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill	NC	www.unc.edu	23
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point	Stevens Point	WI	www.uwsp.edu	23
St. Joseph's University-New York	Brooklyn	NY	www.sjny.edu	23
University of Alabama at Birmingham	Birmingham	AL	www.uab.edu	22
Farmingdale State College	Farmingdale	NY	www.farmingdale.edu	22
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-New Orleans	New Orleans	LA	www.lsuhsc.edu	22
Wayne State University	Detroit	MI	wayne.edu	21
Loma Linda University	Loma Linda	CA	llu.edu	21
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce	Ponce	PR	www.pucpr.edu	20
Hocking College	Nelsonville	OH	www.hocking.edu	20
Northern Illinois University	Dekalb	IL	www.niu.edu	20
University at Buffalo	Buffalo	NY	www.buffalo.edu	19
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley	Edinburg	TX	www.utrgv.edu	19
Wichita State University	Wichita	KS	www.wichita.edu	19
Purdue University-Main Campus	West Lafayette	IN	www.purdue.edu	18
Texas State University	San Marcos	TX	www.txst.edu	18
Arkansas State University	Jonesboro	AR	www.astate.edu	18
Bowling Green State University-Main Campus	Bowling Green	OH	www.bgsu.edu	18
Grand Valley State University	Allendale	MI	www.gvsu.edu	18
Marist College	Poughkeepsie	NY	www.marist.edu	18
University of Vermont	Burlington	VT	www.uvm.edu	18
Radford University	Radford	VA	www.radford.edu	17
Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences	Albany	NY	www.acphs.edu	17
Howard University	Washington	DC	howard.edu	16
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center	Memphis	TN	www.uthsc.edu	16
University of Toledo	Toledo	OH	www.utoledo.edu	16
SUNY Brockport	Brockport	NY	www.brockport.edu	15
Michigan Technological University	Houghton	MI	www.mtu.edu	15
University of Rochester	Rochester	NY	www.rochester.edu	15
College of Staten Island CUNY	Staten Island	NY	www.csi.cuny.edu	15
University of North Texas	Denton	TX	www.unt.edu	15
University of Rhode Island	Kingston	RI	www.uri.edu	14
The University of Texas at Austin	Austin	TX	www.utexas.edu	14
University of Connecticut	Storrs	CT	uconn.edu	14
Eastern Michigan University	Ypsilanti	MI	www.emich.edu	14
Salisbury University	Salisbury	MD	www.salisbury.edu	13
University of Bridgeport	Bridgeport	CT	www.bridgeport.edu	13
Ferris State University	Big Rapids	MI	www.ferris.edu	13
Long Island University	Brookville	NY	www.liu.edu	13
Saint Louis University	Saint Louis	MO	www.slu.edu	13
Saginaw Valley State University	University Center	MI	www.svsu.edu	13
Indiana University-Indianapolis	Indianapolis	IN	indianapolis.iu.edu	12
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center-Shreveport	Shreveport	LA	www.lsuhs.edu	12
Mercy College of Health Sciences	Des Moines	IA	www.mchs.edu	12
Saint Joseph's University	Philadelphia	PA	www.sju.edu	12
Utah Tech University	Saint George	UT	utahtech.edu	12
Texas A & M University-Corpus Christi	Corpus Christi	TX	www.tamucc.edu	11
University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh	Oshkosh	WI	www.uwosh.edu	11
Youngstown State University	Youngstown	OH	ysu.edu	11
Florida Gulf Coast University	Fort Myers	FL	www.fgcu.edu	11
McNeese State University	Lake Charles	LA	www.mcneese.edu	11
University of Maryland Baltimore	Baltimore	MD	www.umaryland.edu	11
West Virginia University	Morgantown	WV	www.wvu.edu	11
Indiana University-South Bend	South Bend	IN	southbend.iu.edu	10
Mercy University	Dobbs Ferry	NY	www.mercy.edu	10
The University of Texas at Arlington	Arlington	TX	www.uta.edu	10
Auburn University	Auburn	AL	www.auburn.edu	10
Franciscan Missionaries of Our Lady University	Baton Rouge	LA	franu.edu	10
University of Alaska Anchorage	Anchorage	AK	www.uaa.alaska.edu	10
Minnesota State University-Mankato	Mankato	MN	www.mnsu.edu	9
SUNY at Fredonia	Fredonia	NY	www.fredonia.edu	9
Louisiana Tech University	Ruston	LA	www.latech.edu	9
Mississippi State University	Mississippi State	MS	www.msstate.edu	9
George Mason University	Fairfax	VA	www.gmu.edu	9
Marquette University	Milwaukee	WI	www.marquette.edu	9
Southeast Missouri Hospital College of Nursing and Health Sciences	Cape Girardeau	MO	www.sehcollege.edu	9
North Dakota State University-Main Campus	Fargo	ND	www.ndsu.edu	8
SUNY College at Plattsburgh	Plattsburgh	NY	www.plattsburgh.edu	8
Western Kentucky University	Bowling Green	KY	www.wku.edu	8
Nazareth University	Rochester	NY	www2.naz.edu	8
Miami University-Oxford	Oxford	OH	miamioh.edu	8
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus	Carolina	PR	uagm.edu/es	8
College of Southern Nevada	Las Vegas	NV	www.csn.edu	8
Texas Woman's University	Denton	TX	twu.edu	8
University of Maine	Orono	ME	umaine.edu	8
University of South Florida	Tampa	FL	www.usf.edu	8
Bellarmine University	Louisville	KY	www.bellarmine.edu	7
Eastern Illinois University	Charleston	IL	www.eiu.edu	7
New York Medical College	Valhalla	NY	www.nymc.edu	7
DLP Conemaugh Memorial Medical Center	Johnstown	PA	www.conemaugh.org/education	7
Southern Adventist University	Collegedale	TN	www.southern.edu	7
Stevenson University	Owings Mills	MD	www.stevenson.edu	7
St. John's University-New York	Queens	NY	www.stjohns.edu	7
Texas Southern University	Houston	TX	www.tsu.edu	7
The University of Tennessee-Knoxville	Knoxville	TN	www.utk.edu	7
West Liberty University	West Liberty	WV	westliberty.edu	7
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	Ann Arbor	MI	umich.edu	6
Baptist Health College Little Rock	Little Rock	AR	www.bhclr.edu	6
Kean University	Union	NJ	www.kean.edu	6
Loyola University Chicago	Chicago	IL	www.luc.edu	6
University of South Dakota	Vermillion	SD	www.usd.edu	6
Baptist Health Sciences University	Memphis	TN	www.baptistu.edu	6
Roosevelt University	Chicago	IL	www.roosevelt.edu	6
University of Wisconsin-Madison	Madison	WI	www.wisc.edu	6
Pennsylvania College of Health Sciences	Lancaster	PA	www.sju.edu/lancaster	5
University of St Francis	Joliet	IL	stfrancis.edu	5
University of Wyoming	Laramie	WY	www.uwyo.edu	5
University of California-Davis	Davis	CA	www.ucdavis.edu	5
University of Illinois Springfield	Springfield	IL	www.uis.edu	5
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Metropolitan Campus	Teaneck	NJ	www.fdu.edu	4
Holy Family University	Philadelphia	PA	www.holyfamily.edu	4
Maryville University of Saint Louis	Saint Louis	MO	www.maryville.edu	4
Monmouth University	West Long Branch	NJ	www.monmouth.edu	4
Flathead Valley Community College	Kalispell	MT	www.fvcc.edu	4
Kansas State University	Manhattan	KS	www.k-state.edu	4
Kent State University at Kent	Kent	OH	www.kent.edu	4
King's College	Wilkes-Barre	PA	www.kings.edu	4
Lake Superior State University	Sault Ste Marie	MI	www.lssu.edu	4
Missouri State University-Springfield	Springfield	MO	www.missouristate.edu	4
Northern State University	Aberdeen	SD	northern.edu	4
Salve Regina University	Newport	RI	salve.edu	4
St Luke's College	Sioux City	IA	www.stlukescollege.edu	4
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania	East Stroudsburg	PA	www.esu.edu	3
Indiana State University	Terre Haute	IN	indianastate.edu	3
Morgan State University	Baltimore	MD	www.morgan.edu	3
Southeast Missouri State University	Cape Girardeau	MO	semo.edu	3
York College of Pennsylvania	York	PA	www.ycp.edu	3
Bradley University	Peoria	IL	www.bradley.edu	3
Del Mar College	Corpus Christi	TX	www.delmar.edu	3
Florida Southern College	Lakeland	FL	www.flsouthern.edu	3
University of Mount Union	Alliance	OH	www.mountunion.edu	3
Roberts Wesleyan University	Rochester	NY	www.roberts.edu	3
The University of Montana	Missoula	MT	www.umt.edu	3
University of Indianapolis	Indianapolis	IN	uindy.edu	2
University of Arizona	Tucson	AZ	www.arizona.edu	2
Ball State University	Muncie	IN	www.bsu.edu	2
Missouri Western State University	Saint Joseph	MO	www.missouriwestern.edu	2
Pennsylvania Western University	California	PA	www.pennwest.edu	2
University of Central Missouri	Warrensburg	MO	www.ucmo.edu	2
University of Central Oklahoma	Edmond	OK	www.uco.edu	2
Walsh University	North Canton	OH	www.walsh.edu	2
Wilkes University	Wilkes-Barre	PA	www.wilkes.edu	2
Brookline College-Phoenix	Phoenix	AZ	www.brooklinecollege.edu	2
Centenary University	Hackettstown	NJ	www.centenaryuniversity.edu	2
Indiana University of Pennsylvania-Main Campus	Indiana	PA	www.iup.edu	2
Louisiana Christian University	Pineville	LA	lcuniversity.edu	2
Missouri Southern State University	Joplin	MO	www.mssu.edu	2
University of New Haven	West Haven	CT	www.newhaven.edu	2
Oklahoma Christian University	Edmond	OK	www.oc.edu	2
Ohio Northern University	Ada	OH	www.onu.edu	2
The College of Saint Rose	Albany	NY	www.strose.edu	2
University of Central Arkansas	Conway	AR	uca.edu	2
Washburn University	Topeka	KS	www.washburn.edu	2
Winona State University	Winona	MN	www.winona.edu	2
University of Hawaii at Manoa	Honolulu	HI	manoa.hawaii.edu	1
University of Iowa	Iowa City	IA	uiowa.edu	1
Arkansas Tech University	Russellville	AR	www.atu.edu	1
Canisius University	Buffalo	NY	www.canisius.edu	1
Fairleigh Dickinson University-Florham Campus	Madison	NJ	www.fdu.edu	1
Henderson State University	Arkadelphia	AR	www.hsu.edu	1
Marywood University	Scranton	PA	www.marywood.edu	1
Morningside University	Sioux City	IA	www.morningside.edu	1
Northwest Missouri State University	Maryville	MO	www.nwmissouri.edu	1
Pittsburg State University	Pittsburg	KS	www.pittstate.edu	1
Rockhurst University	Kansas City	MO	www.rockhurst.edu	1
Union Adventist University	Lincoln	NE	ucollege.edu	1
Eureka College	Eureka	IL	www.eureka.edu	1
Gannon University	Erie	PA	www.gannon.edu	1
Harding University	Searcy	AR	www.harding.edu	1
Lebanon Valley College	Annville	PA	www.lvc.edu	1
Mount Marty University	Yankton	SD	www.mountmarty.edu	1
Mount Mercy University	Cedar Rapids	IA	www.mtmercy.edu	1
Northwest Mississippi Community College	Senatobia	MS	www.northwestms.edu	1
Seton Hill University	Greensburg	PA	www.setonhill.edu	1
St. Thomas Aquinas College	Sparkill	NY	stac.edu	1
Saint Elizabeth University	Morristown	NJ	www.steu.edu	1
University of Cincinnati-Blue Ash College	Blue Ash	OH	www.ucblueash.edu	1
Valley City State University	Valley City	ND	www.vcsu.edu	1
Western Illinois University	Macomb	IL	www.wiu.edu	1

’22-’23 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in August, 2025)

MLS Degree & Certification Programs

A bachelor’s degree is typically needed to start an MLS career and this means an investment in a four-year bachelor’s degree in clinical/medical laboratory science. That said, students in some programs may complete a degree part-time or even accelerate their learning speed for an earlier graduation date. Below are a few MLS programs for prospective medical lab scientists:

Arizona State University

The bachelor’s of arts in applied medical laboratory science (BAS) degree is available at the Phoenix-based Arizona State University campus. The program features both on-campus options and a selection of courses in an online format. In addition, the program includes clinical rotations through which students gain practical experience, including lab work in hematology, immunology, and many other fields, and the use of current technology and automation similar to what would be found in a lab setting.

The 120-credit program includes courses such as laboratory leadership, clinical urinalysis and body fluids, hematology and hemostasis, immunohematology and immunology, clinical microbiology, and clinical chemistry.

Location: Phoenix, AZ
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: 48 months

Ohio State University

Located in Columbus, Ohio State University offers a bachelor’s degree in MLS with the following four curriculum tracks:

Certification Track

The curriculum of this track prepares students for entry-level employment as medical laboratory scientists. In addition to four semesters of MLS courses, students in this track participate in a six-week internship program during the final semester to gain clinical experience and take a required comprehensive final exam to help prepare for the national certification exam. Graduates will be qualified to sit for the ASCP MLS certification exam.

Medical Science Track

This track is ideal for those interested in nursing, medical, dental, physician assistant, veterinary, optometry school, or any other professional or graduate school in the medical science track. The lack of laboratory courses in this track allows for more flexible scheduling to accommodate outside courses required of students wanting into medical or other graduate programs. Graduates of this track do not qualify to take the national certifying exam upon graduation.

MLT Articulation Track – In-person and Online

This track is designed for certified MLTs who wish to advance their education and career opportunities by earning a BS degree and becoming eligible for the MLS ASCP certification exam.

Coordinated Graduate Track

This track would fit students who currently have a bachelor’s degree in a field other than clinical laboratory science, medical technology, or medical laboratory science and would like to become eligible for MLS certification while pursuing graduate education. Students will complete one year of undergraduate education and two years of graduate studies. Graduates will be eligible for certification after the end of the second year and will earn an MS degree at the end of the third year.

The program, which comprises 120 credits, includes courses such as introduction to the medical laboratory environment, phlebotomy, medical laboratory microbiology, medical laboratory hematology, clinical practice in medical laboratory science, medical laboratory microscopy, medical laboratory immunology, professional issues in medical laboratory science, and molecular techniques in medical laboratory science.

Location: Columbus, OH
Accreditation: National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: 36 months

CSU Dominguez Hills

CSUDH offers a bachelor of science in clinical science and a post-bachelor’s certification program in medical technology. This program includes instruction in the principles of biology, elements of human anatomy and physiology, molecular biology, health perspectives, microbiology, organic chemistry, human parasitology, and more.

The university’s Department of Clinical Science was founded in 2006 and aims to prepare aspiring clinical and medical science professionals for their careers.

Location: Carson, CA
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS)
Expected Time to Completion: Varies by program

University of North Dakota

Since 1949, the University of North Dakota in Grand Forks has offered an MLS degree. Students can choose to pursue a 2+2 route, comprised of pre-professional and professional education, a 4+1 route for those with a bachelor’s degree in another field, or a medical laboratory technician (MLT) to MLS route, which also offers online learning options. In fact, the MLT to MLS program can be completed online while working at a medical facility.

To graduate from the traditional MLS 2+2 program, which is for students just starting college, a total of 122 credits are needed. The final year of the professional curriculum consists of a three-semester course of study with a total of 39 credits, which includes online summer courses, a fall semester of in-person laboratory and lecture, and rotations at an assigned clinical affiliate during the spring semester.

The curriculum includes clinical chemistry, clinical hematology and hemostasis, clinical immunohematology, clinical microbiology, clinical urinalysis and body fluids, clinical immunology and molecular diagnostics, and clinical laboratory operations.

Location: Grand Forks, ND
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: 48 or 60 months

University of Washington

Based in Seattle, the University of Washington offers an MLS program through its Department of Laboratory Medicine that features pre-professional and professional portions. The professional part of instruction features subjects such as bacteriology, biochemistry, clinical hematology, mycology, virology, and others.

Students also complete their final year (three quarters) in the university lab and have the opportunity to learn about more complex laboratory procedures by completing an internship.

The curriculum includes courses such as an introduction to immunology, an introduction to biochemistry, an introduction to medical laboratory science, molecular diagnostics, medical bacteriology, introductory clinical chemistry, medical virology, medical mycology and parasitology, clinical coagulation, and laboratory analysis of urine and body fluids.

Location: Seattle, WA
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Expected Time to Completion: 48 months

University of Vermont

The University of Vermont, located in Burlington, offers a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science. Two concentration areas are available in clinical and public health. In the spring semester of their senior year, students start intensive laboratory experiences and work one-on-one with a staff technologist. The school has affiliations with several labs in the Northeast part of the country, including Vermont, New York, and Connecticut

The curriculum includes courses such as medical terminology, human cell biology, human anatomy and physiology, microbiology and infectious disease, fundamentals of biochemistry, applied molecular biology, immunology, general chemistry, and introduction to organic chemistry. The program comprises 121 credits.

Location: Burlington, VT
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Expected Time to Completion: 48 months

Weber State University

Based in Ogden, Utah, Weber State University provides a bachelor of science degree in medical technology (MT) and an associate degree to pursue a career as a medical laboratory technician (MLT).

The bachelor’s degree offers two tracks. The first is for students who intend to use their MT degree to work in a medical lab. In contrast, the second is designed for those who plan to go on to graduate-level education to become veterinarians, physician assistants, or attend medical school. All programs have online as well as on-campus options available.

As part of the program, students will delve into topics such as biostatics, research, and laboratory practices; advanced clinical immunohematology; advanced clinical hematology and hemostasis; advanced clinical chemistry; advanced clinical microbiology and molecular diagnostics; and clinical lab immunology/virology.

Location: Ogden, Utah
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Expected Time to Completion: AAS (24 months); BS (48 months)

Hybrid and Online MLS Degree Programs

University of West Florida

Online BS - Clinical Laboratory Sciences (MLT Cert Required)

Online BS - Health Sciences

Arizona State University

Biochemistry - Medicinal Chemistry (BS)

Biological Sciences - Biomedical Sciences (BS)

Biology (MS)

Biomedical Diagnostics (MS)

Youngstown State University

Online BSAS - Allied Health

Students looking for online programming as part of their MLS education typically will find two options: a hybrid bachelor’s degree program with some campus visits required or a track for employed MLTs to complete a bachelor’s degree and further their careers.

Students take online courses for general education requirements or electives while traveling to campus for MLS courses in the first track. The second track can be appropriate for those who have earned an associate’s degree and are already employed as medical laboratory technicians who want to complete a four-year degree. The two years needed to finish this degree may necessitate that students complete clinical, internship, and practicum experiences. Still, many schools may allow these to be done in the area where the student resides.

Here are some schools that offer bachelor’s degree completion programs in medical laboratory science:

Georgia Southern University

With campuses in Statesboro, Savannah, and Hinesville, Georgia Southern University offers an MLT-to-MLS degree that can be completed by taking 42 credits in the field, 12 of which must be done in clinical practicums. Another three credits are to be taken in laboratory management and education, which provides students insight into the financials, leadership, management, and personnel administration required at a lab.

To be accepted into the program, students must already be employed at an approved clinical site. They can finish the degree in as little as 16 months, and some graduates find work with the Centers for Disease Control, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, and the American Red Cross.

Courses include clinical urinalysis, body fluids, and hemostasis; clinical bacteriology; clinical hematology; clinical immunohematology; clinical methodology and molecular diagnosis; clinical immunology; clinical microbiology; and clinical decisions and analysis.

Notably, the university also has an online fast-track medical laboratory science program (post-baccalaureate) available to South Carolina residents who have completed a bachelor of science degree in biology, chemistry, or a related field and have a 2.5 overall GPA in the sciences.

Location: Savannah, GA
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Four semesters

University of Cincinnati

Medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) already working in the field who want to complete two more years of education for a bachelor’s degree in MLS can turn to the University of Cincinnati for an online MLS degree program. Each term in the program, students are assigned to a specific cohort of students led by an instructor and interact through chat sessions, message boards, and other formats.

This 100 percent online program can be completed in just over two years. It prepares students for the ASCP MLS certification exam. The program includes 60 credits and includes courses such as clinical molecular and immunological diagnostics, clinical fluid analysis, clinical microbiology, principles of immunohematology, statistics for medical laboratory practice, advanced clinical correlations, hematology, hemostasis, and clinical chemistry.

Admission requirements to the program include an associate degree in MLT or CLT from an accredited institution, a minimum grade point average of 2.5, and proof of ASCP, AAB, or AMT CLT/MLT certification.

Location: Cincinnati, OH
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: 24 months

University of New Mexico

Many of the University of New Mexico’s MLS courses are offered online through the UM School of Medicine, with required on-campus lab training. Students can complete their MLS bachelor’s degree in one and a half years of full-time study or three years of part-time study.

Admission dates are August and January of each year. Students complete their practical experiences at sites affiliated with the school in the state, such as Quest Diagnostics, TriCore Reference Laboratories, and the Raymond G. Murphy VA Medical Center.

The program, which comprises 63 credits, includes courses such as introduction to clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, clinical hematology and hemostasis, clinical immunohematology, clinical parasitology, urinalysis rotation, and clinical serology.

Location: Albuquerque, NM
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: Full-time (18 months); part-time (36 months)

University of Tennessee

Students at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center can complete a bachelor’s degree in MLS by taking 36 credits in medical laboratory science. Based in Memphis, the school has several affiliate sites in Tennessee, including Baptist Memphis Hospital and the Veterans Affairs Medical Center, through which students can complete clinical and practical hours.

Students can expect to gain clinical hours at more than one hospital in the state. This program prepares graduates to be eligible for the MLS licensure exam offered by ASCP, a certification required by many employers. The curriculum includes courses such as clinical chemistry, medical laboratory practices, hematology, blood bank, clinical microbiology, and advanced laboratory practices.

Location: Memphis, TN
Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS); Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Three terms

It is essential to know that to even be accepted into an online MLT-to-MLS program, students often need to have graduated from a program accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Other requirements may also be necessary for acceptance, including a specific minimum GPA or even letters of recommendation. Finally, in addition to those listed above, there are more schools that offer certification-only programs. Please see the licensing and certification section below for more information about MLS certification.

Medical Laboratory Science Core & Elective Courses

More than 250 MLS programs are accredited through the NAACLS, meaning students should have plenty of opportunities in the U.S. to be accepted into a program that has undergone rigorous outside review by this agency. Often, pre-professional and professional components need to be completed in MLS degree programs. For example, the pre-professional phase may include biology, chemistry, statistics, and general education requirements ranging from English to the social sciences or arts.

Students need to complete their pre-professional courses, including obtaining a specific GPA, to move on to the professional part of the program. The final two years of an MLS degree program include courses in:

Blood banking
Clinical parasitology
Hematology & hemostasis
Introduction to clinical chemistry
Introduction to clinical microbiology
Advanced clinical microbiology
Laboratory operations math

Students may also need to complete clinical rotations, typically done after all of a student’s MLS coursework has been finished. Lab hours are usually done on campus. If the program is offered online (as may be an option in some MLS completion programs), students may need to report to the campus lab or an approved lab elsewhere to complete this portion of their education.

Accreditation of Medical Laboratory Science Programs

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) oversees the accreditation of MLS programs, as well as programs in related fields such as cytogenetic technology (CT), histotechnician (HT), diagnostic molecular scientist (DMS), and more. Students may choose to attend an NAACLS-accredited program as a form of assurance that they will receive a quality education from qualified instructors.

The NAACLS, a nonprofit, independently accredits schools using a process that begins with submitting a self-study. The NAACLS reviews the self-study and then sends it back to the school for response and follow-up. From there, a site visit by NAACLS is scheduled.

Accreditation, when granted, can be given on a probationary basis, a two-year basis, or even for five years, depending on the number of non-compliance issues found. Perhaps, more important is that the NAACLS offers a search page on its website, allowing students to look for accredited programs by program name, institution name, or state.

In addition to programmatic accreditation through NAACLS, students should be sure to verify a school’s institutional accreditation. Offered through US Department of Education-approved accrediting bodies such as the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) or the Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), this accreditation applies to the school as a whole. The institutional accrediting process is similar to programmatic accreditation but must be broader to cover all programs.

List of Online Medical Laboratory Science Schools

Filter by state

School	City	State	Website	Grads (’23)
University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences	Little Rock	AR	www.uams.edu	297
University of Cincinnati-Main Campus	Cincinnati	OH	www.uc.edu	187
George Washington University	Washington	DC	www.gwu.edu	117
University of North Dakota	Grand Forks	ND	und.edu	102
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center	Lubbock	TX	www.ttuhsc.edu	73
Ohio State University-Main Campus	Columbus	OH	www.osu.edu	71
Michigan State University	East Lansing	MI	msu.edu	70
The University of Texas Medical Branch at Galveston	Galveston	TX	www.utmb.edu	63
Winston-Salem State University	Winston-Salem	NC	www.wssu.edu	54
Virginia Commonwealth University	Richmond	VA	www.vcu.edu	50
Austin Peay State University	Clarksville	TN	www.apsu.edu	49
University of Kentucky	Lexington	KY	www.uky.edu	46
Idaho State University	Pocatello	ID	www.isu.edu	46
National University	San Diego	CA	www.nu.edu	35
University of West Florida	Pensacola	FL	uwf.edu	34
Wright State University-Main Campus	Dayton	OH	www.wright.edu	32
Abilene Christian University	Abilene	TX	acu.edu	30
Augusta University	Augusta	GA	www.augusta.edu	29
South Dakota State University	Brookings	SD	www.sdstate.edu	27
University of Southern Mississippi	Hattiesburg	MS	www.usm.edu	25
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill	Chapel Hill	NC	www.unc.edu	23
Northern Michigan University	Marquette	MI	nmu.edu	22
University of Louisiana at Monroe	Monroe	LA	www.ulm.edu	22
Carolinas College of Health Sciences	Charlotte	NC	atriumhealth.org/education/carolinas-college-of-health-sciences	21
Old Dominion University	Norfolk	VA	www.odu.edu	20
University of Massachusetts-Dartmouth	North Dartmouth	MA	www.umassd.edu	20
The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center	Houston	TX	www.mdanderson.org	16
The University of Tennessee Health Science Center	Memphis	TN	www.uthsc.edu	16
Eastern Kentucky University	Richmond	KY	www.eku.edu	15
Northeastern State University	Tahlequah	OK	www.nsuok.edu	15
University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee Flex	Milwaukee	WI	flex.wisconsin.edu	14
Marshall University	Huntington	WV	www.marshall.edu	14
Andrews University	Berrien Springs	MI	www.andrews.edu	13
Louisiana State University-Alexandria	Alexandria	LA	www.lsua.edu	11
Allen College	Waterloo	IA	www.allencollege.edu	10
East Texas Baptist University	Marshall	TX	www.etbu.edu	8
Lincoln Memorial University	Harrogate	TN	www.lmunet.edu	7
Bellarmine University	Louisville	KY	www.bellarmine.edu	7
University of Mississippi	University	MS	olemiss.edu	6
Saint Peter's University	Jersey City	NJ	www.saintpeters.edu	1
Itawamba Community College	Fulton	MS	www.iccms.edu	1
East Mississippi Community College	Scooba	MS	www.eastms.edu	1
East Carolina University	Greenville	NC	www.ecu.edu	1

’22-’23 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in August, 2025)

Career Outlook

According to the BLS (2025), demand for clinical technologists and technicians—a field related to MLS—is expected to grow by 5 percent from 2023 to 2033. Numerous factors are expected to contribute to this growth, including an aging Baby Boomer population in need of more services, such as lab work, to help identify Type 2 Diabetes or cancer conditions.

Because of this anticipated job growth, some 18,200 new positions are expected to become available in that decade. It is important to note that this outlook data applies to all medical and clinical laboratory technologists and technicians, including medical laboratory scientists.

Career Facts	MLS
Related Careers	Chemist, Cytotechnologist, Histotechnologist, Materials Scientist, Microbiology Technologist, Veterinary Technologist
Common Job Titles	Medical Technologist, Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Technologist
Technology & Equipment	Microscopes, Advanced Analytical Equipment, Precision Testing Equipment, Computers

Sourced from BLS 2024

In addition to a strong occupational outlook, clinical technologists and technicians had decent average salaries. According to the Bureau for Labor Statistics (BLS May 2024), the 344,200 clinical laboratory technologists and technicians across the nation earned a median annual salary of $61,890.

Licensing & Certification of Medical Laboratory Scientists

Upon graduation from a bachelor’ s-level program, students may want to seek certification of their skills through an organization, such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC).

To be eligible, a candidate must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited MLS program or from a program that includes biology, chemistry, and math courses in the past five years. There are six pathways of eligibility for the MLS examination.

When the ASCP Board of Certification (BOC) approves a student’s eligibility documentation, the student can schedule their exam through a Pearson Professional Center. If students pass the exam, they will receive their certification within three to five weeks of notification of their exam scores, and the certification is good for three years.

Why seek certification through the ASCP BOC? It allows professionals to demonstrate their competence in carrying out various responsibilities in the profession. Certification can also result in better job opportunities, higher pay, and even garner respect from work associates. The ASCP BOC reports that its certifications (including in many fields and MLS) are sought by seven times as many lab professionals as lab certifications offered through different credentialing organizations.

In addition to certification, state licensure is required in some areas. According to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS), state licensure is required in 11 states: California, Hawaii, Florida, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, Louisiana, Nevada, West Virginia, Montana, and Puerto Rico.

The licensing process differs in each state but typically requires proof of certification, education, and fingerprinting. Therefore, any aspiring MLS who plans to work in a state requiring licensure should be sure to research that specific state’s requirements before enrolling in an MLS program to ensure they can meet all standards upon graduation.

Rachel Drummond, MEd

Writer

Rachel Drummond has contributed insightful articles to MedicalTechnologySchools.com since 2019, where she offers valuable advice and guidance for those pursuing careers in the healthcare field, combining her passion for education with her understanding of the critical role that healthcare professionals play in promoting physical and mental well-being.

Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.

Kimmy Gustafson

Writer

With her passion for uncovering the latest innovations and trends, Kimmy Gustafson has provided valuable insights and has interviewed experts to provide readers with the latest information in the rapidly evolving field of medical technology since 2019. Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.