MLT to MLS Online Degree
MLT to MLS Online Degree
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GCU’s online medical lab sciences degree is designed to offer a flexible learning format, so you can pursue your MLS degree while balancing personal and professional commitments.
Take the next step toward becoming a vital part of patient care. Pursue a career in medical laboratory science with GCU’s MLT to MLS degree.
GCU’s MLT to MLS online degree guides students in developing advanced skills in laboratory testing, including disease classification, specialized procedures and the investigation of unexpected results. This program blends theory and application, offering opportunities to address laboratory research questions through original designs under the supervision of an experienced faculty or laboratory mentor.
As a student, you can benefit from a holistic education that contributes to personal and professional development. Our curriculum is designed through the lens of a Christian worldview, helping you find your purpose while pursuing a career in healthcare.
Grand Canyon University has been institutionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission since 1968, demonstrating its commitment to developing future professionals. The medical laboratory science program at GCU is submitting the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) Initial Accreditation Application. Once the program has achieved “serious applicant” status, the students are eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification exam.
Explore answers to common questions about earning an online medical lab sciences degree.
An MLT to MLS program may be worthwhile for certified MLTs seeking to advance their credentials and become a medical lab scientist. This program provides students with the opportunity to earn a bachelor’s degree that builds on their existing skills, teaching them to master advanced concepts in laboratory science. An MLS degree can also help you prepare for leadership responsibilities and specialized roles.5
You can make the professional jump from an MLT to MLS by completing a bachelor’s degree in medical lab science. Whereas clinical laboratory technicians typically only have an associate degree, medical lab scientists generally hold at least a bachelor’s degree.6 Although these professionals often have similar responsibilities, medical lab scientists conduct more specialized testing due to their advanced knowledge in the field.
An MLS degree requires a strong foundation in chemistry, biology and clinical lab procedures, which some students may find challenging. Earning a degree online requires time management skills and a commitment to learning. Students who enjoy science and are passionate about healthcare may find the program rewarding and, in turn, worth the effort.
A medical lab sciences degree is designed for students without prior certification as a medical lab technician. Those who already have an MLT associate degree or certification can complete the MLT to MLS program as a pathway to becoming a medical lab scientist.
The Bachelor of Science in Medical Lab Sciences (MLT to MLS) degree provides eligible students who have successfully completed a medical lab technician (MLT) program or certification with the opportunity to complete their bachelor's degree in medical lab sciences. This program builds on your existing knowledge, aiming to deepen your expertise in chemistry, microbiology, immunohematology and other related fields.
This MLT to MLS pathway can help prepare you to move from performing routine lab work to taking on more complex testing and analysis as a medical lab scientist. It may also open opportunities for supervisory, research and specialized roles in clinical and research laboratories.
Medical laboratory scientists work in a variety of settings, including:1,2
Hospitals and doctors’ offices
Medical and diagnostic laboratories
Public health organizations
Fertility centers
Research facilities
Blood and organ banks
Median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians in May 20243
New jobs estimated to open each year for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians from 2024 to 20344
The coursework in the medical lab sciences degree (MLT to MLS) program expands on the foundational technical skills of an MLT. In addition to introducing advanced competencies necessary for laboratory expertise, it incorporates several leadership-focused topics including quality assurance, workload management and budgeting.
The MLT to MLS online degree covers advanced skills in:
Online: $485 per credit [More Info]
Up to 90 credits, only 84 can be lower division
Credits: Fill out the Lopes Eval to find out what will transfer
Admission Requirements (Bachelor's)
OR 2.5+ Unweighted GPA and
Admission requirements may differ based on degree level, program and modality, or transfer status. Some programs of study may require a higher GPA and/or other qualifying criteria for admission. Please review full admission and program requirements in the University Policy Handbook.
*Math and reading only on a 1600 point scale (test date after 3/1/2016). SAT score of 1380 required for 2400 point scale (test date before 3/1/2016).
