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A bachelor’s degree In Laboratory Science can be a great educational path for students who love hands-on exploration of biological, chemical, and physical processes while working collaboratively in dynamic laboratory settings to push the boundaries of scientific knowledge.
While not explicitly written as admission requirements in many cases, high school graduates and GED certificate holders can be well-prepared for this clinical or medical laboratory sciences program if they have a solid foundation in biology, chemistry, mathematics, physics, anatomy and physiology, communication, problem-solving and critical thinking, and research and inquiry skills.
If you’re already working as a medical laboratory technician, you can upgrade your career to be a medical laboratory scientist through online degrees in lab science. They are mostly designed for students who have CLT/MLT associate in applied science degree, passed the national licensure exam and are currently employed as clinical/medical lab technicians with unexpired licenses.
The Lowdown
Bachelor in Lab Science graduates have several career options beyond the health services industry. These include criminal justice and law enforcement laboratories, veterinary medicine, food and beverage manufacturing, environmental organizations, government agencies and biotechnology companies.
Methodology
We have generated a list of educational institutions offering online Bachelor in Lab Science degree programs based on certain criteria. Each online program made it to our list because it:
- Delivers courses in 100% online or hybrid degree formats,
- Features coursework of extensive training in fundamental sciences, including basic and advanced clinical chemistry, biology, mathematics and related subjects,
- Facilitated through virtual platforms or learning management systems (LMS) through which distance learners access their coursework, attend webinars and lectures, and communicate with instructors and fellow online students,
- Prepares students for the national certification examination for licensed Medical Laboratory Scientists,
- Taught by well-experienced professors and Laboratory Science industry experts,
- Provides federal aid and private financial aid opportunities, such as scholarships, grants, and veteran benefits,
- Recognized by accrediting organizations that uphold quality educational standards.
Check out our Methodology for more details.
5 Best Online Bachelor’s in Lab Science Programs
University of North Dakota
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Medical Laboratory Science Online
The University of North Dakota offers a BS in Medical Laboratory Science degree program that students can complete entirely online with asynchronous classes for a more flexible educational experience. Course materials are available at any time but within a set timeframe. It should be noted that this isn’t a self-paced program, as there are also deadlines to meet.
The University’s MLS program has obtained accreditation from the NAACLS-National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Institutional accreditation from the Higher Learning Commission has been awarded to the University.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Students can obtain hands-on clinical experience at one of the University’s more than 70 affiliated medical laboratory sites nationwide, including The Children’s Hospital Association in Colorado, Heartland Regional Medical Center in Illinois and Sanford Medical Center in North Dakota.
Did You Know?
UND is the oldest and largest university in North Dakota and currently has more than 225 highly accredited degree programs throughout its campus locations and online platform.
The University has gained recognition as one of the best online colleges across the country in various categories, including academic quality based on four-year graduation rate, student satisfaction based on retention rate, and affordability.
National University
Bachelor of Science (BS) in Clinical Laboratory Science (Online)
Through the online BS in Clinical Laboratory Science degree program offered by the National University, students will gain the necessary skills and knowledge to improve human health by conducting research and clinical trials.
This Bachelor’s program requires students to complete at least 180 quarter units toward graduation, including 76.5 quarter units of Upper-Division level courses and at least 69 quarter units of General Education courses. Out of the at least 180 required quarter units, students must obtain 45 of these units while in the University.
California-based National University has met the accreditation standards set by the WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC).
What Makes this Program Unique:
As many as 27 quarter units of Upper-Division Electives can be transferred toward the bachelor’s degree for students with a Medical Lab Technician associate degree and have passed the MLT examinations of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB) with unexpired license.
Did You Know?
National University is a Veteran-founded, non-profit institution committed to providing adult learners with achievable and accessible higher education since 1971.
Marshall University
Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science
Students with an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology degree (AAS MLT), including those working full time, can further their studies and enhance their career opportunities by enrolling in the online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science offered by Marshall University.
The Higher Learning Commission or HLC has granted this West Virginia-based University institutional accreditation.
What Makes this Program Unique:
The BS MLS program is designed to prepare students for national certification as Medical Laboratory Scientists through the ASCP.
This program is also crafted to equip students with the foundational knowledge to pursue graduate programs in Physical Therapy, Forensics and Medicine, among other related fields.
Did You Know?
Through its linked MLT programs, Marshall University can provide a smooth transition for students under the Associate Degree in MLT programs of BridgeValley Community and Technical College (BridgeValley CTC) and Southern West Virginia Community and Technical College (SWVCTC) who want to pursue their Bachelor in MLS degree with the University.
Louisiana State University (Alexandria)
Online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science
Louisiana State University of Alexandria is offering a 100% online BS in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) degree program to students who are active Medical/Clinical Laboratory Technicians (MLT/CLT) with two years of work experience.
Completing the MLS program, offered through LSU Online, requires 120 credit hours. It prepares students to be a part of a critical healthcare field where they assist physicians in identifying, treating, and tracking illnesses.
The MLS program meets the accreditation standards of the NAACLS-National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science.
Louisiana State University is Southern Association of Colleges & Schools Commission on Colleges-accredited.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Students can transfer credits to as much as 75% of the degree requirements.
The coursework is designed to prepare students for national certification examinations, including the ASCP-Board of Certification.
The program is also an ideal stepping stone for students who intend to apply to medical school, a Doctorate in Clinical Laboratory Science (DCLS) program, a Pathologist’s Assistant (PA) program and other related professional programs.
Did You Know?
Louisiana State University of Alexandria is recognized as a Native American-Serving Nontribal Institution (NASNTI), which reflects the University’s dedication to serving Native American students and promoting a campus environment that values diversity.
Weber State University
Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Scientist (Online)
Utah-based Weber State University offers an online Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Scientist degree program for students working as certified MLTs (except those in New York) looking for a flexible course schedule to further their studies.
The program requires students at least 120 credit hours toward graduation.
The NAACLS has accredited the University’s BS MLS program.
The University has received regional accreditation by the Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities or NWCCU.
What Makes this Program Unique:
Online students who reside in Utah can save $291 on tuition per credit hour, which is the flat rate for out-of-state students.
The curriculum comprises extensive laboratory courses; thus, students are advised to have 8-10 credit hours per semester to manage their schedules efficiently. Online students must also be currently employed in an accredited laboratory offering diverse laboratory exposure as part of the University’s admission requirements.
Did You Know?
The University actively supports and champions student involvement in research initiatives with MLS faculty.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is an online bachelor’s degree in Lab Science as valuable as an on-campus degree?
Online Bachelor’s degree programs in Lab Science can be just as valuable as on-campus programs, provided they are offered by reputable institutions with accreditation from recognized educational accrediting organizations such as:
- Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC) Western Association of Schools and Colleges
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- WASC Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC)
- And organizations approved by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) and the US Department of Education.
It’s also important to ensure that the lab science program you’re considering is approved by an accrediting body recognized by the industry, such as the American Association of Bioanalysts (AAB), the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Accreditation ensures that the program meets certain educational standards and that employers and other institutions will recognize your degree. Additionally, some online programs offer the same curriculum and instruction as their on-campus counterparts and, thus, provide a similar level of education and preparation for a lab science career.
What career opportunities are available with a Bachelor’s degree in Lab Science?
Laboratory scientists are employed in a variety of companies and organizations across various industries, including:
- Medical and clinical laboratories
- Hospitals and healthcare institutions
- Veterinary medicine companies as laboratory technologists
- Public health laboratories
- Pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies as research scientists and quality control analysts
- Research and development industries
- Academia and education as research coordinators or laboratory instructors
- Environmental science and government agencies
- Criminal justice and law enforcement as forensic laboratory scientists
- Food and beverage laboratories
Furthermore, the degree can also serve as a foundation for further education, like pursuing a Master’s or Doctoral degree in a specialized area of lab science.
Summary Points
- The Bachelor in Laboratory Science is a viable path for those who love to uncover hidden insights through hands-on experimentation and contribute to advancements in the medical and technology field.
- While high school graduates and GED certificate holders can begin their journey toward a Bachelor’s in Laboratory Science as freshmen, most online degree programs are only for those currently working as Medical or Clinical Laboratory Technicians with an associate degree.
- Laboratory scientists have various career options beyond the healthcare industry, including forensic lab scientists in criminal justice and law enforcement, product testers and quality control analysts in pharmaceutical companies, laboratory technologists in veterinary clinics, and instructors or research coordinators in schools.
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