Earn your Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) to Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Degree Online

Earn your Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT) to Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) Degree Online 

Accredited Online MLT to MLS Degree

MLS Degree | Program Highlights

NMU’s Online MLT to MLS program is designed with working lab technicians in mind. The increase in need for those with a bachelor’s degree in medical laboratory science is expected to continue at least through the end of the decade.

100% of Didactic Course Online

Flexible, Rigorous Curriculum

Receive Credit for Prior Learning

Finish in as Few as Two Years

Learn more about NMU’s Medical Laboratory Science Degree

What Will You Learn in NMU’s MLT to MLS Degree Online?

This undergrad program is built for busy lab professionals who have already earned an MLT associate degree from an NAACLS accredited institution. Topics designed to help you advance your career include:

  • Clinical Chemistry
  • Clinical Practice

  • Microbiology

  • Hematology

  • Immunohematology

  • Genetics

  • And advanced topics in each including practicums in chemistry, hematology, and immunobiology.

How much does and online Medical Laboratory Science degree cost at NMU?

The full program costs vary depending on student status. Financial aid is available in the form of grants, and loans, based on eligibility. A financial aid representative can help you make decisions about how to pay for college. Contact:  fao@nmu.edu or 906-227-2327

Medical Laboratory Science Careers

NMU’s MLT to MLS bachelor’s degree will prepare you to perform a variety of laboratory assays on human and other types of specimens in clinical, research, commercial and forensic laboratories

Source: indeed.com, 2021

Senior Medical Technologist

$0
AVERAGE SALARY

Microbiologist

$0
AVERAGE SALARY

Forensic Analyst

$0
AVERAGE SALARY

Online MLT to MLS Admission Requirements

Applicants are required to comply with the regular admission requirements for NMU’s global campus. Students must have a current and unencumbered ASCP MLT certification and an associate degree from a NAACLS accredited MLT program or equivalent.

  • Two years full-time* medical laboratory technician experience in an accredited clinical laboratory** within the last four years to include:  blood banking, chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunology and urinalysis/body fluids

OR

  • Agrees to enroll in a full or partial clinical practicum if missing experience in any or all laboratory areas:  The clinical practicum includes up to 20 weeks total: 4 weeks in hematology, 4 weeks in clinical chemistry, 5 weeks in microbiology, 5 weeks in blood bank (with serology), and 2 weeks discretion of Supervisor with Program Director approval.

Completed attestation form and copy of ASCP MLT certification must be submitted to cls@nmu.edu or via online form.

Enrollment eligibility is based on CLS Advance Placement Criteria. AP credit may be given for clinical experience in accordance with program policies.  See Policy Manual for Senior Practicum Advanced Placement:  Laboratory Medicine requirements.

*Full time experience is defined as a minimum of thirty-five (35) hours per week.  Individuals who have part-time experience may be permitted to utilize prorated part-time experience to meet the work experience requirements.  For example, if you are employed 20 hours per week for one year, your experience would be computed as 20 divided by 35 multiplied by 52 weeks, or the equivalent of 29.7 weeks of full-time employment.

**CMS CLIA certificate of registration, compliance, accreditation; OR TJC accreditation; OR CAP Accreditation; OR COLA Accreditation; OR Accreditation under ISO 15189

To qualify for the bachelor’s degree, students must fulfill the following requirements: Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of credit in residence at Northern Michigan University, excluding advanced placement credit. Transfer students must earn a minimum of eight credits in each major and four credits in each minor.  For additional bachelor’s degree requirements, click here.

MLT to MLS Curriculum

Total Credits Required126-128

General Education30-40

CLS 202Clinical Chemistry

This course teaches students the concepts and principles of current molecular technologies will be examined, including clinical chemistry, data correlation and quality control in the laboratory, with applications to clinical diagnostics.

4 credits
CLS 214Diagnostic Microbiology

This course focuses on diagnostic microbiology and the methods of the isolation and microbial identification of pathogens including clinically significant bacteria, fungi and parasites. Laboratory diagnostic techniques focus on biochemical characterization, serologic testing, rapid identification methods, susceptibility testing and microscopic examination.

3 credits
CLS 250SClinical Practice

This course is designed for all programs with a clinical practicum that extends into the summer months. This course represents each different discipline identified by the appropriate suffix.

1 credits
CLS 401Hematopathology

This course offers a survey of hematopoiesis, blood cell derivation, iron metabolism, erythropoiesis, physiological classification and laboratory investigation of anemias, leukocyte and platelet physiology and function, and disorders of phagocytosis. Key laboratory tests are identified with each area of assessment. Learning activities include computer-assisted instruction, laboratory problems and correlation of clinical data.

3 credits
CLS 402Advanced Clinical Chemistry

This lecture course offers students a problem-solving orientation to laboratory practice. Learning activities include laboratory method validation, addressing technical and diagnostic lab issues, written assignments pertaining to hormones and therapeutic drugs, and individual quality control plans.

2 credits
CLS 403Advanced Immunohematology

This course offers advanced studies in antibody-antigen interaction in relation to blood component therapy. Learning activities include immunohematology problems and CAI focusing on complex blood-banking problems. Also, a written assignment for selection of methods for clinical analysis and special techniques in laboratory practice.

2 credits
CLS 404Advanced Clinical Microbiology I

This course offers students a study of selected topics in bacteriology, microbiology, using computer-assisted instruction, written assignments and lab problems. Identification techniques and protocols will be evaluated for clinically relevant bacterial pathogens.

2 credits
CLS 436Medical Genetics

This course teaches students the basic principles of medical genetics and the application of these principles to our understanding of human genetic diseases and disabilities. This course also helps students gain a better understanding of the role of genetics in ongoing developments in patient care. Topics include infectious diseases, hematology/oncology, and molecular genetics.

4 credits
CLS 451Advanced Clinical Hematology Practicum

This course includes hematology and coagulation.

Note: This course is part of an intense, five-month, full-time practicum in an affiliated clinical laboratory under supervision of clinical laboratory scientists. Includes practical experience and further acquisition of theoretical principles in all areas of the clinical laboratory with emphasis on special testing, problem solving and a variety of supervisory functions. The practicum is represented by CLS 250S, CLS 451, CLS 452, CLS 453, and CLS 454.

3 credits
CLS 452Advanced Clinical Chemistry Practicum

This course includes chemistry and special testing.

Note: This course is part of an intense, five-month, full-time practicum in an affiliated clinical laboratory under supervision of clinical laboratory scientists. Includes practical experience and further acquisition of theoretical principles in all areas of the clinical laboratory with emphasis on special testing, problem solving and a variety of supervisory functions. The practicum is represented by CLS 250S, CLS 451, CLS 452, CLS 453, and CLS 454.

3 credits
CLS 453Advanced Clinical Immunohematology Practicum

The course includes blood banking and serology areas.

Note: This course is part of an intense, five-month, full-time practicum in an affiliated clinical laboratory under supervision of clinical laboratory scientists. Includes practical experience and further acquisition of theoretical principles in all areas of the clinical laboratory with emphasis on special testing, problem solving and a variety of supervisory functions. The practicum is represented by CLS 250S, CLS 451, CLS 452, CLS 453, and CLS 454.

4 credits
CLS 454Advanced Clinical Microbiology Practicum

This course includes bacteriology, mycology, parasitology and virology

Note: This course is part of an intense, five-month, full-time practicum in an affiliated clinical laboratory under supervision of clinical laboratory scientists. Includes practical experience and further acquisition of theoretical principles in all areas of the clinical laboratory with emphasis on special testing, problem solving and a variety of supervisory functions. The practicum is represented by CLS 250S, CLS 451, CLS 452, CLS 453, and CLS 454.

4 credits
*See Clinical Laboratory Science Major for a complete list of required courses.

Online Track:Online Option Available to Global Campus Students Only***14 credits
CLS 412Clinical Biochemistry

This course focuses on clinically important organic molecules and biochemical molecules such as carbohydrates, proteins, heme-derivatives, lipids, lipo-proteins, hormones, tumor markers, therapeutic drugs, toxins and drugs of abuse. Focus is given to structure, nomenclature, biochemical mechanism, and the use of these molecules as biomarkers to assess health and disease. Advanced mass spectrometry based technologies used in diagnostic laboratories methods are included.

3 credits
CLS 413Advanced Clinical Immunology

This course covers principles of clinical immunology to include physiology of immunity, humoral and cell mediated immunity, innate and adaptive immunity, and normal versus pathophysiological immune responses. The course also covers advanced immunological methods used for allergy diagnosis and evaluation, autoimmunity, infectious disease, and transplant compatibility such as DFA, EIA, ELISA, Western Blot, and Chemiluminescence, along with a focus on the use of diagnostic algorithms.
Note: This course can only be repeated once with instructor permission.
3 credits
CLS 414Advanced Clinical Microbiology II

 This course covers advanced concepts in clinical disease caused by difficult to culture and novel bacteria, fungi, viruses, macro parasites and micro parasites, and prions. Emphasis is placed on emerging detection and identification technologies to include MALDI-TOF MS, PCR-ESI-MS, 16s Sequencing and microarrays. Advanced concepts involve the combination of pathogen virulence, resulting clinical signs and symptoms, and the use of diagnostic algorithms to guide testing decisions.
Note: This course can only be repeated once with instructor permission.
3 credits
CLS 426Clinical Molecular Diagnostics

This course covers the theory and application of nucleic acid based technologies to detect and characterize inherited disorders, acquired genetic diseases, and infectious disease. The principles of PCR based methods, SDA, HDA, LCR, TMA, NASBA, LAMP, sequencing methods and microarray analysis are covered. The use of these technologies for the detection and characterization of human pathologies is emphasized with a focus on the selection of each for specific diseases in clinical settings.
Note: This course can only be repeated once with instructor permission.
3 credits
CLS 489ASCP MLS Certification Exam Preparation

This course offers comprehensive preparation for the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Medical Laboratory Scientist certification examination. This course is designed to provide global campus students with equivalent didactic knowledge that conventional students acquire during a supervised clinical practicum and assist them with certification exam preparation.

2 credits

***Track Prerequisites: Students eligible for this track must be enrolled in the NMU Global Campus, be ASCP MLT certified, and hold an associate degree from an NAACLS accredited MLT program or equivalent and have two years of full time medical laboratory technician experience in an accredited clinical laboratory in the last five years. Students must have completed at least 3 credits of chemistry course with a laboratory component and 3 credits of biology with anatomy and physiology. Enrollment eligibility is determined based on CLS advance placement criteria.

Get the support you need. Connect with an enrollment counselor.