Medical Laboratory Science

Bachelor's

Why study Medical Laboratory Science?

UC's online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program (BS MLS) offers clinical laboratory technicians (CLTs) and medical laboratory technicians (MLTs) who are working in labs the opportunity to complete their bachelor's degree and develop the skills needed for professional growth in a rigorous program with the convenience of online learning — students complete all of the course work online with the exception of clinical rotations which are completed on-site in clinical laboratories, usually scheduled where the student works (locations and hours vary). 

Students arrange their own clinical placements and may also apply for life experience credit to reduce or eliminate clinical rotation hours.

Associate degree credits transfer into the online BS in medical laboratory science. Graduates are eligible and well prepared for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam sponsored by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) for the Medical Laboratory Scientist, MLS (ASCP) credential.

The most recent program outcomes can be found on the Program Outcomes page. 

State Authorization 

Federal regulations require the University of Cincinnati to publicly disclose whether completion of certain programs that lead or may lead to professional licensure or certification would meet a given state’s educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation (regardless of whether the program is on-ground, online, or hybrid).   To learn whether a University program meets a given state’s educational requirements, please visit the University of Cincinnati State Authorization webpage. 

Admission Requirements

Students pursuing admission into the MLT-to-MLS Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program are required to satisfy all the admission requirements outlined below.

Our Admissions Office is happy to work with you to answer any questions you may have and help determine your eligibility. To confirm you qualify for this program, please contact our enrollment team at onlineenrollment@uc.edu or (833) 556-8611 for assistance.

Prerequisites

  • Earned Associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) or Clinical Laboratory Technology (CLT) from a NAACLS accredited institution.
    • Equivalent education or experience, i.e. military MLTs, are highly encouraged to apply. Your enrollment advisor can help you navigate this part of the application process.
       
  • Minimum combined GPA of 2.5 from all institutions attended.  
  • Proof of CLT/MLT certification from ASCP, AAB or AMT 
    • Students are eligible to sit for certification within 5 years of graduating from their CLT/MLT program. Students without certification may be admitted if they graduated more than 5 years ago. Please contact your enrollment advisor to see if you qualify.
    • Recent graduates of MLT programs can be conditionally admitted with proof of passing certification exam scores. Please contact your enrollment advisor to see if you qualify.

Transcripts

Submit official transcripts from all schools attended. Transcripts can be sent through online systems such as Parchment to the University of Cincinnati Undergraduate Office of Admissions. This is the preferred method. These transcripts must be official copies of the student’s record. Failure to send transcripts from all schools attended will delay your application review. 

Transcripts can also be physically mailed to the Office of Admissions at the address below. These transcripts must be the official copies of the student’s record and come directly from the student’s school.

University of Cincinnati, Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, OH, 45221

Proof of Certification

Proof of ASCP, AAB or AMT CLT/MLT certification.

PLEASE NOTE: Students are eligible to sit for certification within 5 years of graduating from their CLT/MLT program. Students without certification may be admitted if they graduated more than 5 years ago. 

Call your enrollment advisor at (833) 556-8611 to see if you qualify.

Professional References

Two professional references are required; one must be from a current lab supervisor. Reference forms are submitted through the application system.

UC Online Application

Complete the online admission application.

Technology Recommendations

It is recommended to have the following:

  • Intel i5 processor
  • 8 GB RAM, 16 GB recommended
  • Video Card
  • Broadband Access (DSL/Cable/Fioptics)
  • Sound card with internal or external speakers
  • Web Camera with integrated microphone
  • Printer or access to a printer

For additional technology requirements please visit the College of Allied Health Sciences Computer Requirements.

The online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree can help you position yourself for success in a variety of work environments, including management and leadership roles in diverse health care settings.

With laboratories across the nation facing shortages of medical laboratory scientists, there has never been a better time to earn your bachelor’s degree and advance your career – according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical laboratory scientist jobs are projected to grow 11% from 2020 to 2030, faster than the average for all occupations. 

Opportunities After Graduation:

The information provided is sourced from a third party, Lightcast. Their product, called Career Coach, combines extensive labor market data from Lightcast and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. It provides insights on industry, occupation, compensation, and projected growth for each profession. Economic and workforce information is available for various geographic regions. Some careers may require additional training or education.

  • The University of Cincinnati has online enrollment services advisors (ESAs) available to help learners complete their application and get started in the Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program.  If you have not already, please use the request information form to be connected to an ESA today! 

  • Upon starting the program, a dedicated student success coordinator (SSC) will be assigned to all students to help them achieve their academic goals. You will be introduced to your SSC as your first semester approaches, and they will be your primary liaison to the university all the way through graduation. 

  • In order to apply to the University of Cincinnati as a transfer student, learners must submit a transfer application form and have official transcripts sent directly to UC from all prior institutions they’ve attended. 

  • To request these transcripts, please contact your previous institution’s registrar and ask them to send the official transcript to the University of Cincinnati via an approved electronic method such as Parchment, eScrip-Safe, National Student Clearinghouse, or similar services. This is the preferred method. If electronic submission isn’t available, transcripts may be mailed to the Office of Admissions at: 

University of Cincinnati 

Office of Admissions 

PO Box 210091 

Cincinnati, OH 45221 

Transfer Articulation Agreements & Pathways 

UC has developed clear pathways (articulation agreements) between select associate degrees at partner institutions and compatible bachelor’s degrees at UC. Each pathway includes a Transfer Degree Map that offers a semester-by-semester course comparison to assist with your transfer planning. 

The following institutions have Transfer Degree Maps for this major: 

  • Columbus State Community College 
  • Cuyahoga Community College (Tri-C) 
  • Sinclair Community College 
  • Alamance Community College 
  • Northcentral Technical College 
  • Reading Area Community College 
  • Southwestern Community College 

  • Please note that due to the nature of this program, students without an associates in medical laboratory technology or its equivalent may not transfer into this program. To see if you are eligible to declare this program, please contact an enrollment advisor at (833) 556-8611. 

  • Past UC students who have not attended any other institutions since their departure can apply to be readmitted to the university and enter the online MLS program by following the readmission instructions found on the Office of the Registrar’s website. Past UC students who attended another institution after leaving UC must apply as a transfer student: see instructions in the Transferring to UC section. 

This is an online program and does not meet federal requirements for international students planning to attend on a visa. International students with questions should contact UC's International Services at 513-556-4278. 

Explore unique opportunities, faculty, and resources available in Clinical and Health Information Sciences

Application Deadlines

Deadlines can be found on UC Online's MLS Academic Calendar page. 

The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.

 

This program is accredited through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS): 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018; Phone 773-714-8880; Fax 773-714-8886; info@naacls.org.

Contact Information

UC Online
45 W Corry Blvd.
Cincinnati, OH 45221
(513) 556-6826
onlineenrollment@uc.edu

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Program Code: 35BAC-MLSC-BS-.MLSC-DL