Medical Laboratory Science Schools

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

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.

Hybrid and Online MLS Degree Programs

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% 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.

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.

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). As of November 2024, the fee for its MLS certification exam is $250.

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 also can result in better job opportunities, higher pay, and even garnered 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.