The degree program provides students with coursework in virology, physiology, immunology, and chemistry so they can work successfully in a research or clinical setting.

Degree Benefits:

  • Job growth outlook for Medical Laboratory Technicians is 11%
  • Average annual income for Medical Laboratory Technicians is $54,180*

Career Options Include:

  • Clinical Laboratory Technologist
  • Clinical Laboratory Technician

*Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians, on the Internet at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/medical-and-clinical-laboratory-technologists-and-technicians.htm (visited March 24, 2022).

Find an online bachelor's or master's degree:

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

An online degree in Clinical Laboratory Science usually includes the same number of credit hours as it's on-campus counterpart. That means it should take you about 4 years to finish an online degree. However, if you are taking the degree online because of time constraints or work and family obligations, you may not be able to attend full-time and, therefore, it could take up to 6-8 years to attain your degree.

Before choosing a major there are some important facts you should know about.


Before you enroll in a college, make sure that they have the major you are considering. For Clinical Laboratory Science, many universities have whole departments devoted to the subject. If that is the case, then make sure they have the specific branch of Clinical Laboratory Science that interests you. If you are starting out at a community college, they may not have a specific degree for Clinical Laboratory Science, but they may offer the right math and science courses you will need as prerequisites. Investigate how well your community college work will synch with your later work in a university before registering.


This is a very important question to ask yourself. Your major should play a big part in the schools you are considering. Not every college may offer the major of your choice, so doing your homework is the first step of the selection process.

Courses required to obtain a bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science consist of general core courses that Freshman and Sophomores take and Junior and Senior level courses focus more on the major concentration classes. Associate degrees, on the other hand, normally prepare grads for entry-level with the basic skills and expertise required in a field. Affiliate's levels can likewise allow students to finish general education and learning demands with a two-year program, then later transfer right into a four-year program. There are two major titles of bachelor's levels: BA (Bachelor of Arts) and BS (Bachelor of Science). There are bachelor's degree programs in a wide range of majors, consisting of STEM subjects, social sciences, arts, and all kinds of specific subjects. You can find some sample major concentration courses that you may be required to take below:

  • Communication Disorders Sciences
  • Medical and Health Preparatory Sciences
  • Therapeutic and Rehabilitation Professions
  • Public Health and Safety
  • Pharmaceutical Sciences and Administration
  • Veterinary Medicine and Clinical Sciences
  • Medical Assisting

About 41% of college students complete their four-year Clinical Laboratory Science degree on time. The National Student Clearinghouse Research Center study if the question suggests that money is a large factor in the rate of non-achievement. In-state public college tuition rates have traditionally been the lower range for leading schools. Today, the annual in-state tuition average is over $9,000 per year. Private schools average more than $30,000 per year. Many students run out of money and take reduced course loads to accommodate increased work and other money-making activities. Low per-semester credit-hour rates means more time required to complete a Clinical Laboratory Science degree. Reducing the per semester course load from 15 to 12 credit hours can add a year to the time needed to complete a degree.


Among the reasons cited for the low rate of four-year completion were student decisions in course selection. Many students choose interesting subjects and neglect to grab key courses when available. The failure to take a required course when offered can add a semester to the completion of a major or concentration.


The student experience is a vital piece of information. The graduation rate is often a predictor of the student experience. Factors that can influence late graduation include the availability of required coursework and dropouts for financial reasons. School surveys often have information similar to customer satisfaction information on other businesses. It may be useful to see responses from recent graduates about their experiences. The student survey observations will not predict your experience, but they can lead to productive questions about the school and the Clinical Laboratory Science degree program.

Depending on your school and if you are paying in-state or out-of-state tuition, a Clinical Laboratory Science bachelor's degree can cost as little as $30,000 or as much as $300,000. The key difference in the price will depend on whether you attend a public, in-state school or a private school. Note that if you attend a public school in another state that you will probably pay twice (or more) of the base tuition. Private schools can be more or less expensive depending on the prestige of the school for Clinical Laboratory Science or if they are charging additional fees for out-of-state students to attend the college.

When looking for a college program to attend, you need to look at all the potential advantages of a Clinical Laboratory Science program. Post-graduate job assistance should rank high on the list of important things to consider when selecting where you will enroll. A good job placement program, while it cannot guarantee you a position in Clinical Laboratory Science, will help you make sure you have the best classes and experiences under your belt. That way, you will have the best possible chance of getting the position you want. The time spent in school is a great time to prepare for your future career in Clinical Laboratory Science. That can begin with a great internship, referral, mentorship, or hire. Schools that offer extensive job placement and career assistance can help you get all those things and more.