The MLT-to-MLS Bachelor of Science (B.S.) pathway is designed to provide a seamless opportunity for certified Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLTs) to advance their education, expand their career opportunities, and earn a bachelor's degree in Medical Laboratory Science (MLS).

Through established 2 Plus 2 transfer agreements with participating Iowa community colleges, eligible MLT graduates can transfer to the University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine and complete the remaining requirements for the MLS B.S. degree.

Learn more:

Admissions  Plans of Study 

Admissions

Requirements

Requirements

In order to be admitted into the MLT to MLS Major, students must:

  • Hold a current Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification through either the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) or American Medical Technologists (AMT).
  • Have earned an Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree in Medical Laboratory Technology from a participating Iowa community college in the last five years.
  • Maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.0.

Where to send transcripts
  1. For an unofficial review of college transcripts prior to application, prospective students may email a screenshot or pdf of their transcripts to the Medical Laboratory Science program. Transcript must include the name and number of each course completed.  Indicate the name of the institution and program of interest.  
    Email address: mls-program@uiowa.edu
  2. After submitting an application to the University of Iowa, official transcripts must be sent directly from the institution to the University of Iowa Office of Admissions. Transcripts may be sent electronically or by mail.
    • Email address: admissions@uiowa.edu
    • Mailing address:
          Enrollment Management
          The University of Iowa
          2900 University Capitol Centre
          201 S. Clinton St
          Iowa City, IA 52242

Semester hour, GPA, and residency requirements
  • Successfully complete a minimum of 124 semester hours
  • Maintain a minimum 2.0 cumulative and UI GPA
  • Complete all modality courses with a C or above
  • Complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of University of Iowa credit from the MLS degree plan prior to graduation.

Admission steps
  1. Apply to Carver College of Medicine, Medical Laboratory Sciences BS Major
     
  2. Follow the Admissions Profile instructions on MyUI.
     
  3. Submit official college transcripts documenting completion of the Medical Laboratory Technology Associate of Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree to the University of Iowa Office of Admissions.
     
  4. Provide verification of current MLT certification by submitting primary-source documentation of either MLT(ASCP) or MLT(AMT) certification to mls-program@uiowa.edu.
  5. Complete mandatory advising meeting with MLS Program Director. To schedule an appointment, email kizer-friedley@uiowa.edu.

Plans of study

  Residence requirement: In addition to semester hour and GPA requirements, the residency requirement must be fulfilled for degree. Students must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of University of Iowa credit from the MLS degree plan prior to graduation.

Kirkwood Community College → University of Iowa*
LocationCourse No.Course NameCredits

Kirkwood Transfer Courses

KirkwoodSPC-101Fundamentals of Oral Communication3
KirkwoodBIO-161Basic Anatomy and Physiology3
KirkwoodBIO-186Microbiology4
Kirkwood

CHM-110

and

CHM-111

Intro to Chemistry (AND )

and

Intro to Chemistry Lab

3

and

4

Kirkwood

ENG-108

or

ENG-120

Composition II: Technical Writing 

or

College Writing

3

or

5

Kirkwood

SOC-110

or

SOC-200

or

SOC-220

or

SOC-265

Introduction to Sociology

or

Minority Group Relations

or

Sociology of Aging

or

Intro to LGBTQ+ Studies

3
KirkwoodMAT-138College Algebra with Limits 

Humanities or History/Culture
Choose one:

KirkwoodDRA-116Film Analysis3
KirkwoodDRA-117Film Topics3
KirkwoodHUM-116Encounters in Humanities3
KirkwoodHUM-123U.S. Film History3
KirkwoodHUM-124World Film History3
KirkwoodHUM-200International Study in Humanities3
KirkwoodHIS-126West and the World I3
KirkwoodHIS-127West and the World II3
KirkwoodHIS-128West and the World III3
KirkwoodHIS-151U.S. History to 18773
KirkwoodHIS-152U.S. History Since 18773
KirkwoodHIS-221Holocaust and Genocide in Memory and Literature3
KirkwoodHIS-257African American History3
KirkwoodHIS-291History of Science3

Kirkwood MLT Program Courses

KirkwoodMLT-105Pathophysiology for the Laboratorian3
KirkwoodMLT-106Introduction to Biosafety1
KirkwoodMLT-109Principles of Phlebotomy3
KirkwoodMLT-115Clinical Lab Fundamentals3
KirkwoodMLT-120Urinalysis3
KirkwoodMLT-130Hematology3
KirkwoodMLT-230Advanced Hematology3
KirkwoodMLT-233Hemostasis and Thrombosis2
KirkwoodMLT-270Immunology and Serology2
KirkwoodMLT-245Clinical Chemistry5
KirkwoodMLT-255Clinical Microbiology5
KirkwoodMLT-260Immunohematology4
KirkwoodMLT-290Clinical Seminar and Review2
KirkwoodMLT-283Clinical Practicum: Urinalysis1
KirkwoodMLT-286Clinical Practicum: Immunology and Serology1
KirkwoodMLT-287Clinical Practicum: Hematology4
KirkwoodMLT-293Clinical Practicum: Immunohematology3
KirkwoodMLT-297Clinical Practicum: Chemistry3
KirkwoodMLT-288Clinical Practicum: Microbiology4
KirkwoodMLT-271Lab Survey and Preparation1

Upon completion of the MLT program at Kirkwood Community College, students enroll into the MLS program at the University of Iowa. Students admitted into the MLS program will complete the following courses at Iowa:

Iowa MLS B.S. Courses

IowaCSI:1600Success at Iowa1
IowaCHEM:1110Principles of Chemistry I4
IowaBIOL:1411Foundations of Biology4
IowaGE CLAS COREUnderstanding Cultural Perspectives3
IowaCHEM:1120Principles of Chemistry II4
IowaGE CLAS CORE

Historical Perspectives

or

Literary, Visual and Performing Arts

3–4
IowaBIOL:1412Diversity, Form and Function4
Iowa

CS:1020

or

BAIS:1500

Principles of Computing

or

Business Technology and AI

3

or

2

Iowa

CHEM:2210

or

CHEM:2230

Organic Chemistry I

or

Organic Chemistry I for Majors

3
IowaMICR:3147Immunology and Human Disease3
IowaBMB:3110Biochemistry3
IowaHHP:2400Fundamentals of Human Physiology3
IowaGE CLAS COREInternational and Global Issues3–4
Iowa

STAT:1030

or

STAT:1020

Business Statistics

or

Elementary Statistics and Inference

4

or

3

IowaPATH:4201Lab Management3

Des Moines Area Community College → University of Iowa*
LocationCourse No.Course NameCredits

DMACC Transfer Courses

DMACCBIO 112General Biology I4
DMACCMAT 121College Algebra or higher4
DMACC

BIO 168

and

BIO 173

Anatomy and Physiology I

and

Anatomy and Physiology II (must complete BOTH courses to earn credit)

4

and

4

DMACC

CHM 165

or

CHM 175

General Chemistry I

or

General Chemistry II

4
DMACC

PSY 111

or

SOC 110

Introduction to Psychology

or

Introduction to Sociology

3
DMACCENG 105Composition3
DMACCBIO 186Microbiology4
DMACC

CHM 175

or

CHM 263

General Chemistry II

or

Organic Chemistry I

4

or

5

DMACCSPC 101Fundamentals of Oral Communication3

DMACC MLT Program Courses

DMACCMLT 120Urinalysis3
DMACCMLT 115Clinical Lab Fundamentals3
DMACCMLT 232Advanced Hematology and Coagulation5
DMACCMLT 261Immunohematology5
DMACCMLT 270Immunology and Serology2
DMACCMLT 180Clinical Practicum I1
DMACCMLT 242Clinical Chemistry8
DMACCMLT 251Clinical Microbiology6
DMACCMLT 289Advanced Clinical Lab Practicum9
DMACCMLT 292Clinical Lab Professional and Rev.3

Upon completion of the MLT program at Des Moines Area Community College, students enroll into the MLS program at the University of Iowa. Students admitted into the MLS program will complete the following courses at Iowa:

Iowa MLS B.S. Courses

IowaRHET:1040General Education Rhetoric Writing Component II3
IowaCSI:1600Success at Iowa1
IowaCHEM:1120Principles of Chemistry II (if not completed prior to transfer)4
IowaBIOL:1412Diversity, Form and Function4
IowaGE CLAS COREUnderstanding Cultural Perspectives3–4
IowaGE CLAS COREHistorical Perspectives3–4
Iowa

CHEM:2210

or

CHEM:2230

Organic Chemistry I

or

Organic Chemistry I for Majors (if not completed prior to transfer)

3
Iowa

STAT:1030

or

STAT:1020

Business Statistics

or

Elementary Statistics and Inference

4

or

3

IowaGE CLAS CORELiterary, Visual and Performing Arts1–4
Iowa

CS:1020

or

BAIS:1500

Principles of Computing

or

Business Technology and AI

3

or

2

IowaMICR:3147Immunology and Human Disease3
IowaBMB:3110Biochemistry3
IowaGE CLAS COREInternational and Global Issues3–4
IowaPATH:4201Lab Management3

Hawkeye Community College → University of Iowa*
LocationCourse No.Course NameCredits

Hawkeye Community College Transfer Courses

HawkeyeBIO-112General Biology I4
HawkeyeMAT-121College Algebra or higher4
Hawkeye

SPC-101

or

SPC-112

Fundamentals of Oral Communication

or

Public Speaking

3
Hawkeye

PSY-111

or

SOC-110

Introduction to Psychology

or

Introduction to Sociology

3
HawkeyeCHM-122Introduction to General Chemistry4
HawkeyeENG-105Composition I3
HawkeyeBIO-186Microbiology4

Hawkeye Community College MLT Program Courses

HawkeyeBIO-163Essentials of Anatomy and Physiology4
HawkeyeMLT-101Introduction to Lab Science2
Hawkeye

BIO-113

or

CHM-132

General Biology II

or

Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry

4
HawkeyeMLT-103Lab Mathematics3
HawkeyeHSC-113Medical Terminology2
HawkeyeMLT-120Urinalysis3
HawkeyeMLT-250Clinical Microbiology4
HawkeyeMLT-110Fundamental Lab Techniques3
HawkeyeMLT-130Hematology3
HawkeyeMLT-230Advanced Hematology3
HawkeyeMLT-240Clinical Chemistry I7
HawkeyeMLT-233Hemostasis and Thrombosis2
HawkeyeMLT-260Immunohematology4
HawkeyeMLT-270Immunology and Serology2
HawkeyeMLT-252Parasitology1
HawkeyeMLT-285Clinical Practicum: Chemistry4
HawkeyeMLT-287Clinical Practicum: Hematology4
HawkeyeMLT-288Clinical Practicum: Microbiology4
HawkeyeMLT-284Clinical Practicum: Immunohematology2
HawkeyeMLT-286Clinical Practicum: Immunology and Serology1
HawkeyeMLT-283Clinical Practicum: Urinalysis1
HawkeyeMLT-291Lab Survey and Review1
Upon completion of the MLT program at Hawkeye Community College, students enroll into the MLS program at the University of Iowa. Students admitted into the MLS program will complete the following courses at Iowa:

Iowa MLS B.S. Courses

IowaRHET:1040Rhetoric Writing Component II3
IowaCSI:1600Success at Iowa1
IowaCHEM:1110Principles of Chemistry I4
IowaHHP:1400Human Anatomy and Physiology3
IowaGE CLAS COREUnderstanding Cultural Perspectives3–4
IowaCHEM:1120Principles of Chemistry II4
IowaGE CLAS COREHistorical Perspectives3–4
IowaBIOL:1412Diversity Form and Function4
Iowa

CHEM:2210

or

CHEM:2230

Organic Chemistry I

or

Organic Chemistry I for Majors

3
IowaGE CLAS CORELiterary, Visual and Performing Arts3–4
IowaMICR:3147Immunology and Human Disease3
Iowa

CS:1020

or

BAIS:1500

Principles of Computing

or

Business Technology and AI

3

or

2

IowaHHP:2400Fundamentals of Human Physiology3
IowaBMB:3110Biochemistry3
IowaGE CLAS COREInternational and Global Issues3–4
Iowa

STAT:1030

or

STAT:1020

Business Statistics

or

Elementary Statistics and Inference

4

or

3

IowaPATH:4201Lab Management3

Indian Hills Community College → University of Iowa*
LocationCourse No.Course NameCredits

IHCC Transfer Courses

Indian HillsCHM 121Introduction to General Chemistry3
Indian HillsMAT 120College Algebra or Higher level 3
Indian Hills

SPC 101

or

SPC 112

Fundamentals of Oral Communication

or

Public Speaking

3

or

3

Indian HillsBIO 161Basic Anatomy and Physiology3
Indian HillsPSY 111Introduction to Psychology3
Indian HillsMAT 156 Statistics3
Indian HillsENG 106Composition II3
Indian HillsCSC 110Introduction to Computers3

IHCC MLT Program Courses

Indian HillsHSC 113Medical Terminology2
Indian HillsCOM 777Verbal & Written Workplace Communication2
Indian HillsHSC 212Pathophysiology3
Indian HillsCHM 132Introduction to Organic and Biochemistry4
Indian HillsMLT 104Laboratory Math1
Indian Hills

MLT 115

or

MLT 114

Clinical Lab Fundamentals 

or

Fundamentals Bridge

3

or

1

Indian Hills

MLT 135

or

MLT 112

Clinical Laboratory Basics I

or

Principles of Phlebotomy

3

or

2

Indian HillsMLT 165Medical Lab. Principles and Techniques3.5
Indian Hills

MLT 180

or

PHB 270

or

MLT 175

or

MLT 176

Clinical Lab Practicum I

or

Phlebotomy Clinical

or

CLA Practicum I

or

CLA Practicum II

1

or

2

or

1.5

or

1.5

Indian HillsMLT 120Urinalysis3
Indian HillsMLT 253Parasitolgy and Mycology2
Indian HillsMLT 261Immunhematology5
Indian HillsMLT 245Clinical Chemistry5
Indian HillsMLT 255Clinical Microbiology5
Indian HillsMLT 181Clinical Lab Practicum II6.5
Indian HillsMLT 296Topics in Clinical Laboratory1
Indian HillsMLT 166MLT Critical Analysis1
Indian HillsMLT 182Clinical Lab Practicum III6.5
Indian HillsMLT 290Clinical Seminar and Review2

Upon completion of the MLT program at Indian Hills Community College, students enroll into the MLS program at the University of Iowa. Students admitted into the MLS program will complete the following courses at Iowa:

Iowa MLS B.S. Courses

IowaCSI:1600Success at Iowa1
IowaCHEM:1110Principles of Chemistry I4
IowaBIOL:1411Foundations of Biology4
IowaGE CLAS COREUnderstanding Cultural Perspectives3–4
IowaCHEM:1120Principles of Chemistry II4
IowaGE CLAS COREHistorical Perspectives3–4
IowaGE CLAS CORELiterary, Visual and Performing Arts3–4
IowaBIOL:1412Diversity Form and Function4
Iowa

MICR:3164

or

MICR:2157 & MICR:2158

Microbiology and Human Health

or

General Microbiology & General Microbiology Laboratory

4

or

3 & 2

Iowa

CHEM:2210

or

CHEM:2230

Organic Chemistry I

or

Organic Chemistry I for Majors

3
IowaMICR:3147Immunology and Human Disease3
IowaHHP:2400Fundamentals of Human Physiology3
IowaBMB:3110Biochemistry3
IowaGE CLAS COREInternational and Global Issues3–4
IowaPATH:4201Lab Management3

 

* Colleges may periodically add, drop, or change their course names, numbers, or content. Prior to registering for a transfer course, please verify equivalency with Transferology, UI Course Equivalent Transfer Guide, the Medical Laboratory Science Program (mls-program@uiowa.edu), and/or the UI Office of Admissions (adm-ugevaluation@uiowa.edu).