Undergraduate students and those with a bachelor’s degree who have completed general education and program pre-requisite requirements are eligible to apply to the MLS Program. The application deadline is March 1.
At the end of the program, graduates will receive a bachelor’s degree in Medical Laboratory Science and will be eligible to sit for the certification examination (ASCP) at the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS) level. Students interested in practicing medical or clinical laboratory science outside of Kentucky should learn more about whether the MLS programs will lead to licensure, certification, registration, etc. in each state.
In addition to the University of Kentucky requirements, students seeking admission to the MLS program must complete the following pre-requisite or pre-professional courses. The following courses need to be completed before beginning the MLS program:
- General Biology with Lab - BIO 148 & BIO 155
- General Chemistry 1 with Lab - CHE 105 & CHE 111
- General Chemistry 2 with Lab - CHE 107 & CHE 113
- Human Physiology - PGY 206
- General Microbiology with Lab - BIO 208 & BIO 209
- Statistics - STA 296 or BST 230
| Fall (Semester 1) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| MLS 400 | Laboratory Techniques and Phlebotomy | 2 |
| MLS 410 | Medical Laboratory Biochemistry | 3 |
| MLS 420 | Clinical Immunology & Serology | 2 |
| MLS 421 | Clinical Immunology Laboratory | 1 |
| MLS 460 | Clinical Hematology | 3 |
| MLS 461 | Clinical Microbiology | 3 |
| MLS 465 | Clinical Hematology Laboratory | 2 |
| MLS 466 | Clinical Microbiology Laboratory | 2 |
| 18 | ||
| Spring (Semester 2) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| MLS 430 | Clinical Mycology & Parasitology | 2 |
| MLS 462 | Clinical Chemistry | 3 |
| MLS 463 | Immunohematology | 3 |
| MLS 464 | Body Fluids & Hemostasis | 2 |
| MLS 467 | Clinical Chemistry Laboratory | 2 |
| MLS 468 | Immunohematology Laboratory | 2 |
| MLS 469 | Body Fluids & Hemostasis Laboratory | 2 |
| MLS 471 | Ethics & Professionalism | 1 |
| 17 | ||
| Summer (Semester 3) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| MLS 440 | Molecular Diagnostics | 2 |
| MLS 441 | Molecular Diagnostics Laboratory | 1 |
| MLS 450 | MLS Education & Management | 3 |
| MLS 480 | Clinical Hematology Practicum | 4 |
| 10 | ||
| Fall (Semester 4) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Course | Course Name | Credit Hours |
| MLS 470 | Medical Laboratory Science Capstone | 3 |
| MLS 481 | Clinical Microbiology Practicum | 4 |
| MLS 482 | Clinical Chemistry Practicum | 4 |
| MLS 483 | Immunohematology Practicum | 4 |
| 10 | ||
Course descriptions can be found in the UK Bulletin.
- The minimum GPA for entrance into the MLS program is a 2.5 on a 4.0 scale.
- Completion of application to the University of Kentucky (if currently not a UK student)
The MLS admissions committee ranks applicants based on the following criteria:
- Pre-requisite course GPA
- Overall GPA
- Recommendation letters
- One-on-one interviews which score applicants for:
- Professionalism
- Academic Preparedness
- Communication
- Alignment with the mission of the MLS program
- Complete the online application for the Medical Laboratory Science Program.
- The application window is December 1, 2026 - March 1, 2027.
- Have three individuals that can attest to your ability to succeed in this program and profession submit an online recommendation form on your behalf.
- Provide official copies of all higher education transcripts
More information regarding the recommendation forms and transcripts is provided in the online application documents.
After the deadline for applying to the MLS program, application packets will be reviewed. Qualified applicants may participate in a brief interview by MLS faculty member(s).
- Cost of Attendance: The total estimated expense to attend UK, including tuition, fees, housing, meals, books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
- Tuition and Fees: The specific charges for instruction and related services, excluding other living and personal expenses.