Bachelor's in Medical Laboratory Science Degree

Bachelor of Science in MLS or Certificate

Acquire the skills needed to perform diagnostic medical testing and make a difference in patients' lives.

Become an essential member of the diagnostic healthcare team through one of UND’s Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) program routes. Medical laboratory scientists perform a diverse set of tasks related to diagnostic medical testing, without significant patient contact. They are in high demand in laboratories both large and small throughout the country. You'll put your MLS education to use after graduation as a working professional.

Program type:: Major
Format:: On Campus or Online
Est. time to complete:: Varies based on program route
Credit hours:: Varies based on program route

Why earn a MLS degree?

Application Deadlines

Fall:: Aug. 15
Spring:: Dec. 15
Summer:: May 1

Each route has its own separate program application and deadline, in addition to the application to UND

If you're an international student, refer to the international application process for deadlines.

Graduates of UND's MLS program are highly sought after by employers. The program boasts a 100% placement rate. Every one of our graduates looking for a job in the medical laboratory field has found one.

Specialized Medical Laboratory Science Routes

UND offers a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science and a certificate in Medical Laboratory Science Program. The following different program routes are available to choose from to fit your needs. In each program, you'll gain hands-on experience at one of our affiliated medical laboratory sites across the country. Visit the MLS website to explore your options:

Traditional Route: On campus and online courses plus clinical (at a clinical affiliate) coursework culminating in a bachelor’sdegree.
Second Bachelor's Degree (4+1): On campus and online courses plus clinical (at a clinical affiliate) coursework culminating in a bachelor’s degree or certificate. Students must hold a prior bachelor’s degree to be eligible.
Western College Alliance for Medical Laboratory Science (WCAMLS): On campus and online courses plus clinical (at a clinical affiliate) coursework culminating in a certificate from UND and a bachelor’s degree from the affiliated WCAMLS institution. Students must be enrolled at an affiliated WCAMLS institution to be eligible.
Mayo Clinic Cohort: Online courses plus clinical (at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN) coursework culminating in a bachelor’s degree. Students must be a current employee of the Mayo Clinic Department of Laboratory Medicine & Pathology in Rochester, MN, to be eligible.
MLT to MLS: Online courses plus clinical (at the site of MLT employment) coursework culminating in a bachelor’sdegree. Students must hold a degree from a NAACLS accredited MLT program, be certified (ASCP or AMT) as a MLT, and be employed at a laboratory testing facility willing to sponsor clinical rotations to be eligible.
Categorical: Online courses and clinical (at the site of employment) coursework culminating in a certificate or certificates. Students must hold a prior bachelor’s degree and be employed at a laboratory testing facility willing to sponsor clinical rotations to be eligible.

Accredited MLS Degree

The MLS program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) at 5600 N. River Rd Suite 720, Rosemount, IL 60018.

Certificate or Bachelor's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science

Select from various program options to find the path that's right for you.
Gain clinical experience at one of over 70 affiliated clinical sites throughout the nation. We have affiliates in AZ, CO, IL, IA, MN, MT, ND, OK, OR, SC, SD, WA, WI, and WY.
Use digital slide software and other technological advancements in state-of-the art student laboratory spaces.
Share your passion with other students through the Medical Laboratory Science Club.
Learn at an established program. UND has offered a degree in Medical Laboratory Science since 1949. We have a long-standing and proven track record.
Raise your grades by getting free academic support at UND. We offer individual tutoring sessions, along with specialized writing and math support programs.

What to do with a medical laboratory science degree?

Projected job outlook for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians through 2033

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

100%

Percentage of graduates that find employment (for those seeking it) or continue their education within one year of graduation, 2022-2023

UND Medical Laboratory Science Program

Be part of a group of laboratory professionals that are highly sought after by employers from across the nation. There's a shortage of medical laboratory scientists, and it's created a large demand for our graduates. In addition to immediate employment opportunities, many graduates also attend medical school or pursue graduate degrees in science, management or education.

Medical laboratory scientists can be found working in the following environments:

Armed forces
Forensic and reference laboratories
Government agencies
Hospitals and clinics
Industry
Research

Skills with a MLS Degree

UND's Medical Lab Science program gives you the strategic skills you need, including:

Hematology
Blood Bank
Chemistry
Microbiology
Quality Control
Immunology and Molecular Diagnostics

Jobs with a MLS Degree

Our Medical Laboratory Science degree and certificate graduates have gone on to a variety of successful careers with employers across the nation such as:

Mayo Clinic
Sanford Health
Department of Veterans Affairs
Interpath Laboratory, Inc.
Altru Health Systems
Sonora Quest Laboratories

I see the outcomes of other MLS programs and there truly is no comparison to the level of preparation that UND students have.MLS AlumniPost-Graduation Survey

MLS Degree Courses

Best Online Medical Laboratory Science Bachelor's Programs

#7 GetEducated
#8 College Factual
#24 OnlineSchoolsReport

The Medical Laboratory Science bachelor's program is well regarded for it's educational quality, affordability and career outcomes.

Ranking sites vary in their methodology, but are generally based on the following criterion:

Financial data such as net cost, loan default rate, and return on investment
Academic rigor including curriculum standards, accreditation status, and faculty reputation
Student gratification, retention rate, and support services
Employment rate and graduate salary

Online Medical Laboratory Science Programs

best online college in North Dakota

Forbes

160+

online programs

The MLT to MLS, Mayo Clinic Cohort, and Categorical routes are entirely online. You never have to come to campus. For this online route, we offer the same online tuition rates regardless of your legal residency. Compare our MLS tuition rates and you’ll see UND is lower cost than similar four-year doctoral universities.

Flexible Online Medical Laboratory Science Courses

With asynchronous classes, you do not attend class at a set time. If you need to balance work, family, and other commitments, this flexible format allows you to learn anywhere at any time.

Depending on your instructor, you’ll learn online through:

Lesson modules
Streaming video content
Virtual libraries
Posted lectures
Online simulations

There will be times when you interact with your instructor and classmates through online discussion boards, polls, and chat rooms.

Your learning revolves around materials that can be accessed on your own time within a set time frame. However, this is not a self-paced course. You’ll have structure and deadlines.

Top-Tier Online Program

Over a third of UND's student population is exclusively online; plus, more take a combination of online and on campus classes. You can feel reassured knowing you won't be alone in your online learning journey and you'll have resources and services tailored to your needs.

No matter how you customize your online experience, you’ll get the same top-quality education as any other on campus student.

Same degree: All online programs are fully accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC). Your transcript and diploma are exactly the same as our on-campus students.
Same classes: You’ll take courses from UND professors, start and end the semesters at the same time and take the same classes as a student on campus.
Real interaction: You can ask questions, get feedback and regularly connect with your professors, peers and professionals in the field.
Your own academic advisor: As an invaluable go-to, they’re focused on you, your personal success and your future career.
Free online tutoring: We're here to help you one-on-one at no cost. Plus, get access to a variety of self-help online study resources.
Unlimited academic coaching: Need support to achieve your academic goals or feeling stumped by a tough course? We'll help with everything from stress and time management to improving your memory to achieve higher test scores.
Full online access: Dig into virtual research at UND's libraries. Improve your writing skills with online help from the UND Writing Center. Get online access to career services, veteran and military services, financial services and more.
24/7 technical support: UND provides free computer, email and other technical support for all online students.
Networking opportunities: Our significant online student population means you’ll have a large pool of peers to connect with. UND has numerous online events and activities to keep you connected.

Best Online College

Our high alumni salaries and job placement rates, with affordable online tuition rates make UND a best-value university for online education. UND's breadth of online programs rivals all other nonprofit universities in the Upper Midwest making UND one of the best online schools in the region.

UND ranks among the best online colleges in the nation for:

Affordability
Student satisfaction (retention rate)
Academic quality (4-year graduate rate)
Student outcomes (20-year return on investment per Payscale.com)

FAQs

Open All

The duration of our Medical Laboratory Science degree varies based on the chosen route. However, the traditional route typically spans four years for full-time students.

The MLT to MLS, Categorical, and Mayo Clinic Cohort routes all offer 100% online classes along with a clinical rotation. Note that students must meet route specific eligibility requirements to qualify.

UND's program fulfills educational prerequisites for licensure or certification in several states. However, applicants can check for additional requirements on specific states using our state licensure data for more details.

Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earn a median annual wage of $57,380. This figure may vary based on factors such as location, type of employer and specialization within the field. For instance, salaries can range from $35,220 at the lowest 10th percentile to $84,670 at the highest 10th percentile, reflecting variations in experience, qualifications and job responsibilities.

Employment prospects for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are projected to grow by 5% from 2022 to 2032, with approximately 24,000 annual job openings. Moreover, UND maintains a strong placement record, with 100% of graduates securing employment or continuing their education within one year of graduation.

Become a Medical Lab Scientist

Follow Morgan Kainz as she navigates through a full day in the life of a Medical Lab Science degree student.

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