Bachelor's Degree (BHS) in Medical Laboratory Science

4 Years Online Bachelors Program

University of Kentucky

Program Overview

The Medical Laboratory Science, B.H.S. at the University of Kentucky is designed for students interested in using laboratory science to help diagnose and monitor diseases, with training across microbiology, hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology, and molecular diagnostics. The 120-credit program combines foundational science with advanced laboratory coursework and clinical practicums, and graduates are eligible to sit for the ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist certification examination.

Curriculum Structure:

Year 1:

Students build a strong foundation in chemistry, biology, communication, and laboratory skills. Key courses include General College Chemistry I, General Chemistry I Laboratory, Introductory Biology I, and Biological Research Skills Lab, followed by General College Chemistry II and its laboratory.

Year 2:

The curriculum moves into core biomedical sciences, helping students understand microorganisms, human physiology, and statistical methods used in health sciences. Students take Principles of Microbiology, Intro Microbiology Lab, and Elementary Physiology, alongside statistical and general education coursework.

Year 3:

Students transition into specialized Medical Laboratory Science training and develop practical knowledge across major clinical laboratory disciplines. Courses include Laboratory Techniques & Phlebotomy, Medical Laboratory Biochemistry, Clinical Immunology & Serology, Clinical Hematology, and Clinical Microbiology, followed by Clinical Chemistry, Immunohematology, and Molecular Diagnostics.

Year 4:

The final year focuses on applying laboratory knowledge in professional and clinical settings. Students complete the Medical Laboratory Science Capstone and clinical practicums in Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, and Immunohematology, providing direct preparation for professional laboratory practice.

Focus Areas:

Clinical laboratory science, microbiology, hematology, clinical chemistry, immunology and serology, immunohematology, molecular diagnostics, medical laboratory biochemistry, clinical microbiology, mycology and parasitology, body fluids and hemostasis.

Learning Outcomes:

Students develop the ability to perform and interpret clinical laboratory testing, apply laboratory techniques safely and accurately, understand disease-related laboratory findings, work across major diagnostic laboratory disciplines, and apply scientific knowledge in clinical settings through laboratory and practicum experiences.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):

The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), a CHEA-recognized accrediting authority for clinical laboratory science programs in the United States. The curriculum also prepares graduates to sit for the ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) certification examination.

Reputation (Employability):

The University of Kentucky reports an 80% three-year average MLS certification rate for graduates from 2022–23 through 2024–25. Its reported placement data shows that 44 of 44, 26 of 26, and 36 of 37 graduates in those respective cohorts found employment in the field or a closely related field and/or continued their education within one year of graduation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Medical Laboratory Science, B.H.S. at the University of Kentucky gives students substantial hands-on preparation through laboratory courses and clinical practicum experiences. Students progress from Biological Research Skills Lab and Intro Microbiology Lab into specialized clinical laboratories covering hematology, microbiology, immunology, chemistry, immunohematology, and molecular diagnostics. In the later stages, students complete clinical practicums at affiliated healthcare laboratories, gaining experience with professional laboratory procedures, laboratory information systems, safety protocols, and clinical testing environments.

The program is supported by the University of Kentucky's College of Health Sciences, whose Wethington Building includes state-of-the-art laboratories and classrooms. Students also have access to the clinical environment of UK HealthCare, including the Core Laboratory at Albert B. Chandler Hospital, which uses advanced automation and analytical technologies for chemistry, hematology, coagulation, and urinalysis testing.

Key experiential opportunities and facilities include:

Clinical laboratory training: Courses such as MLS 421 Clinical Immunology Laboratory, MLS 465 Clinical Hematology Laboratory, MLS 466 Clinical Microbiology Laboratory, MLS 467 Clinical Chemistry Laboratory, MLS 468 Immunohematology Laboratory, and MLS 469 Body Fluids and Hemostasis Laboratory provide discipline-specific practical training.
Molecular diagnostics: MLS 440 Molecular Diagnostics and MLS 441 Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory introduce students to molecular diagnostic laboratory methods.
Clinical practicums: Students complete MLS 480 Clinical Hematology Practicum and senior-level practicums in Clinical Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry, and Immunohematology.
Clinical sites: Practicum experiences are available through affiliated sites including UK HealthCare Chandler Medical Center, VA Medical Center, Baptist Health Lexington, Lexington Clinic, St. Joseph Hospital, and other hospitals and medical centers across Kentucky.
UK Core Laboratory: The Core Laboratory at Albert B. Chandler Hospital provides exposure to a high-volume clinical testing environment with advanced automation and analytical technologies across chemistry, hematology, coagulation, and urinalysis.
Clinical Microbiology facilities: UK’s clinical microbiology facilities include two biosafety level 3 facilities and share resources with immunomolecular pathology and the genomics core facility.
Laboratory information systems: During clinical practicum training, students are introduced to Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) and Hospital Information Systems (HIS), including procedures relating to access and laboratory information management.

Facilities and resources: The program benefits from the University of Kentucky's Wethington Building laboratories and classrooms, as well as UK HealthCare's extensive clinical laboratory infrastructure. The university's Core Laboratory, clinical microbiology laboratories, genomics-related facilities, and affiliated clinical sites provide students with access to environments directly connected to diagnostic laboratory practice.

Progression & Future Opportunities

The Medical Laboratory Science, B.H.S. at the University of Kentucky prepares graduates for professional laboratory careers by combining clinical science, laboratory training, and practicum experience. Graduates can pursue roles such as Medical Laboratory Scientist, Clinical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Laboratory Technologist, and Molecular Diagnostics Technologist, while the degree also provides a foundation for advanced study in medicine, physician assistant studies, pharmacy, dentistry, and other health-science fields.

Students can build their career through the program's clinical connections, professional preparation, and documented graduate outcomes:

Career and employment support: The program's clinical training and practicum experiences prepare students for professional laboratory environments, while the College of Health Sciences provides pathways and resources connected with healthcare employers.
Employment outcomes: The program reports a 99% three-year average placement rate, with placement defined as employment in the field or a closely related field and/or continuing education within one year of graduation.
Certification outcomes: The program reports an 80% three-year average MLS certification rate for graduates taking the MLS examination within their first year after graduation.
Salary: The University of Kentucky College of Health Sciences lists a $61,000 median annual salary for medical laboratory scientists, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics national median pay data.
Healthcare partnerships and clinical connections: Students gain clinical experience through UK HealthCare and other affiliated clinical sites, while the College of Health Sciences also identifies employer-linked opportunities involving organizations such as Appalachian Regional Healthcare, Baptist Health Louisville, Norton Healthcare, University of Louisville/UofL Health, and Veterans Affairs Louisville.
Long-term accreditation value: The program is accredited by NAACLS (National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences), the CHEA-recognized U.S. accrediting authority for clinical laboratory science programs. The accreditation supports the program's national professional standards and eligibility pathway for certification examination preparation.
Graduation outcomes: The program reports a 99% three-year average graduation rate among students who entered the final half of the program, based on its published 2022–23 through 2024–25 outcome data.

Further Academic Progression: After completing the B.H.S., students can continue into advanced healthcare and science pathways such as medicine, physician assistant studies, pharmacy, dentistry, or graduate-level health and laboratory sciences. The program also notes opportunities for specialization or further development in areas such as hematology, clinical chemistry, toxicology, virology, microbiology, immunohematology, and molecular biology.