BS Medical Laboratory Science at The Ohio State University

Programme overview

Medical laboratory science is a profession that uses clinical laboratory tests to detect, diagnose, monitor and treat disease. More than 70% of all medical decisions are based on the results of clinical laboratory testing. Medical laboratory scientists are part of the team of health care professionals who work to determine the presence, extent or absence of disease. They perform a range of laboratory tests to detect diseases such as cancer, coronary artery disease and diabetes.

Study mode: full-time | Location: Columbus, OH, United States

What you will study

Tracks of study The certification track: The curriculum for this track is designed to prepare students for entry-level work as medical laboratory scientists. In addition to four semesters of medical laboratory science courses, students participate in a six-week internship program during the final semester. This preparation helps students gain clinical experience and take a required comprehensive final exam to help prepare for the national certification exam. Graduates of this track of study will be qualified to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathology Medical Laboratory Scientist certification exam.

Career pathways

Most medical laboratory scientists work in hospital laboratories. Medical laboratory scientists can also work in many other areas, such as forensics, research, public health laboratories, pharmaceutical industries, medical sales, fertility clinics, environmental labs, doctors offices and information systems.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Admission to the university (and the college where applicable) applies; no separate programme-specific requirement published. Admission to the medical laboratory science program is based on a holistic review of each candidate, including academic achievement in prerequisites and the student’s overall cumulative grade-point average. Students are encouraged to apply by the posted deadline to the medical laboratory science program.

Domestic applicants: USD 12,921 a year (2026-27). Columbus campus on-campus Instructional Fee (tuition) for students beginning Autumn 2026: $6,460.50 per semester at 12-18 credit hours, shown as two semesters (Autumn and Spring). The Ohio State Tuition Guarantee fixes this rate for four years for Ohio re Source

Entry terms for first-year applicants to the Columbus campus: Autumn 2027 and Spring 2027 (Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026). Summer first-year applications are not accepted.

Transfer applicants can start in Spring, Summer or Autumn 2027.

First-year, Columbus campus, Autumn 2027: early action (non-binding) deadline November 1, 2026; regular decision deadline January 15, 2027; financial aid priority date February 1; acceptance fee deadline May 1, 2027. Early action decisions: December 11 (Ohio residents and Stamps Eminence applicants) and January 22 (non-Ohio residents and international applicants); regular decision decisions March 5.

First-year applicants apply with the Common Application. ACT or SAT scores are required for first-year Columbus applicants (superscored; sent directly by the testing agency); applicants out of high school two or more years are not required to submit scores. The essay is not required.

Transfer applicants (Columbus campus): Spring 2027 deadline November 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027; Summer 2027 deadline May 15, 2027. Regional campuses: December 1, 2026, April 15, 2027 and July 15, 2027 respectively.

International transfer applicants: Spring 2027 deadline October 1, 2026; Autumn 2027 deadline March 1, 2027.

Apply through the official page: https://undergrad.osu.edu/apply

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