Medical Laboratory Sciences Undergraduate Certificates

Program Details

Next Start Date: January 8

Credit Hours: 14-25

Course Length: 7-16 weeks

Estimated Program Length: 3-4 semesters

The University of West Florida’s online Medical Laboratory Sciences Undergraduate Certificate program provides key knowledge and skills needed to become a technologist in laboratory settings.

Why Study Medical Laboratory Sciences at UWF?

The University of West Florida’s online Medical Laboratory Sciences Certificate programs provide working professionals seeking career advancement and students interested in the field the key knowledge and skills needed to become technologists in laboratory settings. Accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences and culminating in national board examinations, each certificate targets a specific laboratory setting.

You’ll enroll in the same courses as students in the degree-seeking program. And at the end of the curriculum, you’ll participate in a virtual review week and take the national board examination to help you advance your career as a technologist.

Technologist in Clinical Chemistry Online Certificate Program

Work as a technologist in the clinical chemistry section of medical facilities. This program prepares you to take the Chemistry C(ASCP) national board examination and be certified as a Technologist in Chemistry C(ASCP).

Technologist in Hematology Online Certificate Program

Work as a technologist in the hematology/bodily fluids section of medical facilities and advance your career to a supervisory role. This program prepares you to sit for the categorical exam for certification as a Technologist in Hematology H (ASCP).

Categorical Concentration in Core Lab (Hematology & Chemistry) Online Certificate Program

Work as a technologist in the hematology or clinical chemistry sections of medical facilities. This program prepares you to sit for national board examinations for hematology (ASCP) and chemistry (ASCP).

Technologist in Microbiology Online Certificate Program

Work as a technologist in a hospital microbiology laboratory. This program prepares you to sit for national board examinations for Microbiology M(ASCP).

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What You Will Learn

By completing this certificate, you will be able to:

Demonstrate entry-level medical laboratory scientist knowledge of the specific category that you study, e.g. Microbiology, Clinical Chemistry and/or Hematology.
Identify and apply principles of quality assurance in the clinical laboratory.
Evaluate patient results and distinguish normal from abnormal results.
Interact effectively with laboratory peers and supervisors.

Courses

Courses & Requirements

UWF’s online Medical Laboratory Sciences Undergraduate Certificate programs include a total of 14 to 25 credit hours depending on the selection of the four certificate options. Each certificate requires prerequisite coursework in genetics, as well as 12 credits of college-level chemistry, biochemistry, and human or mammalian physiology.

Required Courses

MLS 4221C - Urinalysis/Body Fluids for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4626C - Clicnical Chemistry I for the MLT to MLS
MLS 4631C - Clinical Chemistry II for MLT to MLS
MLS 4705 - Special Clinical Topics
MLS 4820L - Clinical Chemistry III
MLS 4193C - Molecular Diagnostics for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4506 - Clinical Immunology for the MLT to MLS track

Required Courses

MLS 4306C - Hematology for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4335C - Hemostasis and Thrombosis for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4221C - Urinalysis/Body Fluids for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4705 - Special Clinical Topics
MLS 4822L - Hematology II
MLS 4193C - Molecular Diagnostics for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4506C - Clinical Immunology for the MLT to MLS track

Required Courses

MLS 4306C - Hematology for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4335C - Hemostasis and Thrombosis for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4221C - Urinalysis/Body Fluids for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4626C - Clinical Chemistry I for the MLT to MLS
MLS 4631C - Clinical Chemistry II for the MLT to MLS
MLS 4705 - Special Clinical Topics
MLS 4820L - Clinical Chemistry III
MLS 4822L - Hematology II
MLS 4193C - Molecular Diagnostics for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4506C - Clinical Immunology for the MLT to MLS track

Required Courses

MLS 4461C - Diagnostic Microbiology for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4463C - Medical Microbiology for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4506C - Clinical Immunology for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4705 - Special Clinical Topics
MLS 4193C - Molecular Diagnostics for the MLT to MLS track
MLS 4821L - Diagnostic Microbiology II
MLS 4824L - Special Clinical Methods

To be considered for admission to the University of West Florida’s online Medical Laboratory Sciences Certificate programs, you must meet the requirements at the time of application and be admitted to the University as an undergraduate non-degree seeking student. Other requirements include:

Have a minimum 2.5 GPA on a 4.0 scale from their bachelor's degree
Have graduated from a regionally accredited college or university with a degree in biology, biomedical sciences, chemistry, or a related discipline (or Microbiology for Technologist in Microbiology Certificate)
Completion of all science prerequisite coursework with a grade of "C-" or better
Submission of a departmental application
Personal interview with the certificate coordinator
Recommendation letters
Complete the program eligibility form
Meet background and drug screen requirements
Currently employed at one of the UWF MLS affiliates (in a Microbiology Lab or currently employed at an affiliate in the clinical lab and has a reference from the supervisor of the Microbiology Lab for Technologist in Microbiology Certificate)
- Those residing in proximity to an affiliated institution, yet not employed there, may be evaluated on an individual basis.

Upon admission, the MLS student will receive information concerning current UWF MLS requirements for progression to the clinical training courses. These include, but may not be limited to student health physical examination; hospital required immunizations; TB test; criminal background check; Florida training license; proof of health insurance; and drug screen.

How to Apply

Interested students need to fill out a Non-degree Seeking Application through Undergraduate Admissions. Once accepted, contact the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences to speak with an advisor about course availability and scheduling. Have questions about this program or the admissions process? Contact our undergraduate admissions team at admissions@uwf.edu. If you are a current UWF student, please reach out to the department academic advisor.

Full Course Descriptions Admission Requirements

Careers & Outcomes

With a Medical Laboratory Sciences Undergraduate Certificate, you can work as a technologist in different medical laboratory settings.

Job Titles

Medical Laboratory Scientists
Laboratory Managers

Career Outlook

Employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 5% from 2022 to 2032
The median annual wage for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians was $57,380 in May 2022

Source: BLS, 2024

Tuition Rate Per Credit Hour

Medical Laboratory Sciences Online Undergraduate Certificate Tuition
Component	Cost	Total
In-state Tuition for Technologist in Clinical Chemistry Tuition (22 credit hours)	$218.98 per credit hour	$4,817.56
In-state Tuition for Technologist in Hematology Tuition (23 credit hours)	$218.98 per credit hour	$5,036.54
In-state Tuition for Categorical Concentration in Core Lab (Hematology & Chemistry) (33 credit hours)	$218.98 per credit hour	$7,226.34
In-state Tuition for Technologist in Microbiology (23 credit hours)	$218.98 per credit hour	$5,036.54

Starting Fall 2024, the online MLS certificate tuition will be based on residency.

Online undergraduate courses are $323.98 per credit hour for Alabama residents, $648.37 per credit hour for non-Florida residents, or $341.67 for non-Florida residents with an out-of-state tuition waiver.

Tuition waivers cover up to 75% of the non-resident portion of your tuition and are available to non-Florida residents (including international students) admitted to online campus programs and registered for online courses in active pursuit of that degree or certificate. You must pay all other assessed tuition and fees. The renewal of Online Campus Out-of-State Tuition Waivers is not automatic. Waiver requests must be submitted every semester and are not retroactive for previous semesters. Review Tuition Waiver Information to learn more.

Time to completion varies by student, depending on individual progress and credits transferred, if applicable. Fees are charged per semester unless otherwise noted.

Refer to UWF Cost of Attendance Estimates and Financial Literacy for more information on UWF costs and financial aid.

* Tuition and fees are subject to change.

Alabama, Military & Financial Aid

Alabama Differential Out-of-State Tuition

Residents of Alabama are eligible for Alabama Differential Tuition, a reduced out-of-state tuition rate. To verify residency status for tuition purposes, new undergraduate students should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and new graduate students should contact the Graduate School. Current enrolled students should contact the Office of the Registrar. See more about Tuition Waivers.

Military & Veterans

The UWF Military & Veterans Resource Center (MVRC) serves as the campus advocate for military, dependents and veteran students. Contact the MVRC to learn more about the various military and veteran education assistance or tuition waiver opportunities and eligibility requirements.

UWF Financial Assistance

The University of West Florida provides eligible students with an alternative to paying the full amount of tuition at the beginning of each term in the form of an installment payment plan or a short-term loan. See more about Financial Aid and Education Funding Opportunities.