Online Medical Laboratory Sciences (MLS) Programs
Oversee the Efforts of Medical Lab Tech Teams
Develop the skills to become a medical laboratory professional—or rise into management roles—with the online MLS programs from the George Washington University (GW). You’ll learn from experienced faculty in online classes that enable you to thrive as a lead lab technician or biomedical laboratory manager.
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Complete the form to learn more about our programs.*
*Note, 45 transferrable credits required to apply for BSHS and BSHS/MSHS dual degree programs.
Making important scientific discoveries requires strong clinical laboratory skills and guidance from senior leaders. Get on the path to lead medical lab tech (MLT) or supervisory roles with GW’s online MLS programs.
We designed our online classes for medical laboratory professionals at many experience levels. Students seeking ASCP MLS certification can begin with the MSHS in Laboratory Medicine or Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Medical Laboratory Sciences. If you already possess an MLT or MLS/MT/CLS certification, you can build the skills for overseeing clinical laboratory technicians (CLT).
Throughout your online program, you’ll learn from faculty with experience educating CLTs, MLTs, and other medical laboratory professionals.
Online MLS and Laboratory Medicine Programs
Online
2 Years Duration
52 Credits
Program Details
Prepare to sit for the ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) board of certification exam* with GW’s MSHS in Laboratory Medicine degree. Our program combines online education and hands-on practice focusing on research and new laboratory medicine technologies.
Read MoreOnline
20 Months Duration
48 Credits
Program Details
Become a laboratory technologist by learning the latest molecular techniques to investigate and determine the causes of disease. You can also gain qualifications for taking the ASCP Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) board of certification exam in 20 months.*
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1 Year Duration
18 Credits
Program Details
Prepare for hematology specialist roles where you can work at the forefront of blood-related disease detection and treatment. You will also delve into the procedures for processing blood samples while satisfying requirements to sit for the ASCP Technologist in Hematology (H) certification exam.* This hematology certificate has received accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS),** indicating the high-quality online education GW provides.
Read MoreOnline
1 Year Duration
16 Credits
Program Details
- Delve into the principles of traditional and molecular laboratory procedures
- Applicants with clinical laboratory experience may be eligible to waive individual clinical practicum requirements
- Accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)**
- Fully accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools
Learn the ins and outs of testing, storing, and transporting blood for transfusions in an online program with NAACLS accreditation. Plus, prepare to meet the qualifications for the ASCP Technologist in Blood Banking (BB) certification exam.*
Read MoreOnline
1 Year Duration
19 Credits
Program Details
Become a certified technologist in clinical chemistry to assist physicians in identifying more precise diagnoses. Plus, gain qualifications for taking the ASCP Technologist in Chemistry certification exam in one year.* GW’s online clinical chemistry program has received accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).**
Read MoreWhat Careers Can I Pursue with a Laboratory Medicine Degree?
GW’s online MSHS in Laboratory Medicine program instills knowledge and skills for seeking MLS certification from the ASCP.* This certification sets up advancement opportunities for medical laboratory professionals, including the following roles:
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist
- Clinical Laboratory Supervisor
- Medical lab tech (MLT) educator
- Biotechnology Research Associate
- Government Research Associate
What Careers Can I Pursue by Completing an Online MLS Program?
Job openings for clinical laboratory technicians and laboratory technologists are expected to rise 11% from 2020 to 2030.3 GW offers online medical laboratory sciences programs at the post-baccalaureate level to help you move into lead lab technician or management roles, such as:
- Medical laboratory supervisor
- MLT/MLS educator
- Public health laboratory supervisor
- Biotechnology research associate
- Medical laboratory technologist
11% Projected growth in job openings for clinical laboratory technicians and laboratory technologists from 2020 to 20303
>95% Employment rate for graduates within three months of completing the online MLS certificate and laboratory medicine master’s programs
$94,000 Average annual salary for the top 10% of medical laboratory supervisors4
“The medical lab sciences program has helped me establish my career and pass the ASCP board examination. I am looking forward to the experience I will gain as an entry-level scientist in a medical laboratory with the goal of going further with my education and educating others about this demanding yet rewarding career.”– JACQUELINE BLAZQUEZ MLS(ASCP)CM, POST-BACCALAUREATE CERTIFICATE IN MEDICAL LABORATORY SCIENCES, ’20
Frequently Asked Questions
As you explore an online program at the George Washington University, our dedicated staff is here to support you. If you have a question we don’t cover here, request more information or call 844-386-7323.
View All FAQsOnline classes are designed to take the same amount of time as on-campus classes. They are taught by GW faculty members and have comparable assignments to campus programs that can be completed off-site. Time spent per course varies by the course’s length and credit hours. For example, students are expected to spend approximately 14 hours per week working on an eight week long, three-credit hour course and 7.5 hours per week working on a fifteen week, three-credit hour course. As an off-campus student, you also save time that on-campus students spend commuting.
While most studies will be completed online, your program may require you to visit campus during the course of your studies.
No, you do not need to attend class at a specific time. Our online courses are designed to be asynchronous, giving you flexibility.
Assignments will have specified due dates that must be met. Students are expected to read the weekly readings, participate in online weekly discussion boards and other asynchronous group activities, and submit papers and other assignments through the online learning management system.
Yes, an academic advisor will work with you throughout the admissions process, scheduling classes, and the course of your studies. GW also offers our online students 24/7 technical support.
Students in GW’s master’s, bachelor’s and post-bachelor’s programs may be eligible for financial aid. Students seeking graduate certificates are not eligible for federal financial aid.
You may also be able to benefit from loans, institutional scholarships, merit- or need-based grants, employer reimbursement programs, and more. Explore your options on our Tuition and Financial Aid page.
Yes, GW is regionally accredited by the Middle States Association of Colleges and Schools.
You can request more information to speak with a GW program manager, or you can begin the application process today.
Yes. GW’s transcript ordering service is available to interested applicants of the programs listed on this website. The service is designed to make the application process simpler for you, while also helping us expedite the admissions decision on your behalf. Our transcript services team will order all domestic transcripts once you decide to allow us to help you with this task.
The George Washington University will only request and pay for your domestic college transcripts that allow third-party requests up to the point of admission to the university. This means that any coursework completed after you are advised of an admission decision, including coursework you are currently completing, will still need to be submitted by you.
It is your responsibility to request and purchase these additional transcripts to complete your file. This information may be used to determine your eligibility for financial aid, admission, and potential transfer credits. Additionally, some institutions may require you to obtain your official transcripts directly; if this is the case, we will contact you.
Sources
- U.S. News & World Report. (2021 April 27). A Guide to the Changing Number of U.S. Universities. Retrieved December 17, 2021, from https://www.usnews.com/education/best-colleges/articles/how-many-universities-are-in-the-us-and-why-that-number-is-changing.
- U.S. News & World Report. (2023). Best Colleges Rankings: George Washington University. Retrieved May 9, 2023, from https://www.usnews.com/education/online-education/george-washington-university-131469.
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2021 September 8). Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians. Retrieved January 6, 2022, from https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm.
- PayScale. (2021 December 19). Average Laboratory Supervisor, Medical / Clinical Salary. Retrieved January 6, 2022, from https://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Laboratory_Supervisor%2C_Medical_%2F_Clinical/Salary
* While the completion of this program will make graduates eligible to register for an ASCP Board of Certification Exam, this does not automatically guarantee a graduate will also meet their state’s requirements for state licensure (if applicable). Since each state may have different requirements for licensure, each student is encouraged to contact their state’s regulating agency and review these requirements prior to beginning any degree program.
Please be aware that the fully online post-baccalaureate certificate programs do not meet the student lab requirement for New York state licensure. Also, for those applying to the fully online post-baccalaureate categorical certificates in hematology, microbiology, blood banking, and chemistry, the state of New York does not provide licensure for categorical certification (e.g., Technologist in Microbiology, Technologist in Blood Banking, etc.). We recommend that students who live in New York or plan to relocate to New York do research to determine the NY licensure requirements.
**National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119