Immunohematology (Blood Banking) Certificate
The Online Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Immunohematology (Blood Banking) prepares individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree to develop specialized knowledge and technical proficiency in immunohematology and transfusion medicine. The program combines asynchronous online coursework with required in-person clinical education to prepare graduates for practice in blood banking laboratories.
Program Overview
The Immunohematology (Blood Banking) Certificate focuses on blood group systems, blood products, transfusion practices, and the immunologic and physiologic principles that support safe transfusion therapy. Students develop proficiency in serologic and molecular testing, quality systems, safety, and blood bank laboratory operations.
Designed for individuals who already hold a bachelor's degree, the certificate prepares graduates to pursue the Scientist in Blood Banking (BB(ASCP)) credential through the ASCP Board of Certification Route 3.
Clinical Education
Students complete required clinical practicum experiences after completing the program's core didactic coursework. Clinical education occurs in approved clinical laboratories and provides hands-on experience while developing technical proficiency and professional practice skills.
Students are responsible for arranging their own clinical placement, typically through an employer, employer network, or community laboratory. All clinical sites must be approved by the University of Cincinnati and complete a clinical affiliation agreement before a placement can begin.
Individual clinical schedules are coordinated between the student, clinical preceptor, and UC Director of Clinical Education.
Students with qualifying professional laboratory experience may apply for academic credit toward clinical requirements. Credit is awarded only after review of required competencies and successful completion of related MLS coursework. Students should speak with an Enrollment Services Advisor for additional information.
Certification Eligibility
Graduates are prepared to apply for the ASCP Board of Certification examination for the Scientist in Blood Banking (BB(ASCP)) credential through Route 3.
To qualify, applicants must:
- hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university with a major in biological science or chemistry, or a bachelor's degree with a combined 30 semester hours in biology and chemistry; and
- successfully complete a structured categorical program conducted under the auspices of a NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Science program.
The UC Medical Laboratory Science program provides guidance during the application process and documents successful completion of the structured categorical program after certificate requirements have been completed.
Program Highlights
High Quality Education
- Learn from expert faculty in medical laboratory science.
- Discipline-specific curriculum focused on blood group systems, transfusion practices, serologic and molecular testing, laboratory operations, quality systems, and safety.
- Required clinical education completed in approved clinical laboratories.
- Preparation for the ASCP Scientist in Blood Banking (BB(ASCP)) certification examination.
Flexibility
- Asynchronous online coursework
- Required in-person clinical education completed in approved clinical laboratories
- Complete the certificate in three consecutive part-time semesters
- New cohorts begin every other semester, beginning Fall 2027
- Course start dates may be staggered throughout the academic semester
Support from Application through Graduation
At UC, you’ll have a full support team behind you:
Enrollment Services Advisor: Your go-to resource during the application process
Student Success Coordinator: Helping you prepare for classes and stay on track
Access to Resources: Access to university resources that will support you through your program including online learning expectations and resources, health and wellness resources, and academic support
Curriculum
Each categorical certificate includes discipline-specific didactic coursework and clinical education equivalent to the corresponding portion of UC's NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Science curriculum, along with related instruction in laboratory operations, quality control and assurance, and safety.
Coursework focuses on blood group systems, blood products, transfusion practices, and the immunologic and physiologic principles that support safe transfusion therapy. Students develop proficiency in serologic and molecular testing, quality systems, safety, and blood bank laboratory operations.
Students are required to earn a C- or better in all courses.
| Course | Title/Description | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| MLSC 3005 | Transition to Medical Laboratory Science Practice This course provides a comprehensive overview of the medical laboratory science profession, preparing students for advanced studies in laboratory medicine. Topics include laboratory safety, specimen collection and handling, quality, accreditation, licensure, and the fundamentals of measurement techniques and diagnostic testing. Emphasis is placed on understanding laboratory operations, the diagnostic process, laboratory specializations, and the critical role of laboratory professionals in patient care and disease management. Students will develop foundational skills to support their transition into the medical laboratory science certificate program. |
3 |
| MLSC 3063 | Principles of Molecular and Immunological Studies This course will provide a foundational study of molecular biology and immunological principles. Topics will include the structure, function, and synthesis of DNA, RNA, and involved proteins, mechanism of inheritance, and physiology of the immune system. Basic laboratory testing in immunologic and molecular methodologies and principles will also be covered. |
3 |
Students are required to earn a C- or better in all courses. Immunohematology Core Courses are offered every other semester.
| Course | Title/Description | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| MLSC4062 | Principles of Immunohematology A study of the theory, principles, and procedures associated with transfusion medicine. Discussions cover routine procedures, blood donors, components, regulations, and quality assurance. |
3 |
| MLSC4063 | Advanced Immunohematology A more advanced study of the theory, principles, and procedures associated with transfusion medicine. Discussions cover specialized procedures, advanced applications and quality assurance. |
3 |
Credit hours may vary in semester 3. Qualified students may apply for Life Experience Credit through the Office of Prior Learning Assessment. If awarded, the student will receive advanced standing credit for a portion of the MLSC4069: Advanced Clinical Practice course, which is a variable credit hour course.
| Course | Title/Description | Credit |
|---|---|---|
| MLSC 4069 | Advanced Clinical Practice A clinical practicum experience that will focus on advanced, applied clinical laboratory techniques and concepts. The practicum experience will be individually designed for each student; the student will participate in identifying the practicum site. Included is a focused study of laboratory techniques and instrumentation as they apply to diagnosing disease. |
1-2 |
| MLSC 3051 | Laboratory Operations A study of the basic principles of clinical laboratory management, including theory and practice. Topics will include personnel and financial management, regulation and accreditation, information management, quality assurance, quality control, clinical and continuing education. |
2 |
Admission Requirements
Prerequisites
- Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree from a college or university accredited by an agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education for Title IV purposes, or the international equivalent with a major in biological science, chemistry, or related field with a combined 30 semester hours in biology and chemistry
- Strong foundation in:
- biology
- anatomy & physiology
- chemistry
- biochemistry or organic chemistry
- microbiology
- immunology
- molecular diagnostics
- College-level statistics course required
- We do not accept transfer credits to our certificate programs.
- Recommended cumulative GPA of 2.5.
Additional information about these requirements can be found at the ASCP’s website: https://www.ascp.org/content/docs/default-source/boc-pdfs/exam-content-outlines/regionally-accredited-college-university.pdf?sfvrsn=27
Complete the online application and submit the application fee.
Standard Application Fees:
- $50.00 for domestic applicants to most degree programs
- $100.00 for international applicants to most degree programs
- Application fees for UC Online programs are waived through Summer 2026 for all applicants
- Fee waivers are automatically applied for applicants who:
- are currently serving in the US armed forces
- are veterans of the US armed forces
After submitting your application form, all applicants are required to have official transcripts sent directly to University of Cincinnati in order to be eligible for admissions review.
Please review the section below for guidance on how to submit your transcripts.
Online transcript request systems are the preferred method to deliver official transcripts electronically. To see if your transcript(s) can be ordered electronically, visit the links below and search for your previous school(s).
- Parchment
- Please select “University of Cincinnati – Main Campus” as the recipient of your transcript.
- National Student Clearinghouse
- Please have your transcript sent directly to admissions@uc.edu.
If you do not see your past school(s) listed on either site, please contact the school(s) directly to determine their ordering process.
If a physical copy must be sent, DO NOT request it be delivered to you. It must be sent directly from your prior school to the following address:
University of Cincinnati
Office of Admissions
PO Box 210091
Cincinnati, Ohio 45221-0091
Two professional references are required. One reference must be from a current laboratory supervisor working in blood banking or immunohematology. Reference forms are submitted through the application system.
This is an online program and does not meet federal requirements for international students planning to attend on a visa. International students with questions should contact UC's International Services at 513-556-4278.
Application Deadlines
The Immunohematology (Blood Banking) Certificate enrolls a new cohort every other semester, beginning Fall 2027. Students should apply during the semester preceding their intended start term. The upcoming start terms are:
- Fall 2027
- Summer 2028
Please contact us at onlineenrollment@uc.edu and an Enrollment Advisor will work with you directly to answer any questions regarding start terms.
Tuition & Fees
The University of Cincinnati's online course fees differ depending on the program. On average, students will accrue fewer fees than students attending on-campus classes.
The one fee applied across all UC Online programs is the distance learning fee. Students living outside the state of Ohio must also pay an additional “non-resident” fee to enroll in courses at UC Online. This fee is lower than the out-of-state fee for traditional on-campus programs.
To view tuition information and program costs, visit the Online Program Fees page.
Accreditation & Rankings
- The University of Cincinnati and all regional campuses are accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
- The University of Cincinnati Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS)
- 5600 N. River RD, Suite 720 Rosemont, Il 60018-5119 | Phone: 773.714.8880 | Email: info@naacls.org
View the Medical Laboratory Science Program Outcomes, including graduation rates, placement rates, and ASCP Board of Certification pass rates.
Licensure & State Authorization
Federal regulations require the University of Cincinnati to publicly disclose whether completion of certain programs that lead or may lead to professional licensure or certification would meet a given state’s educational requirements for a specific professional license or certification required for employment in an occupation (regardless of whether the program is on-ground, online, or hybrid). To learn whether a University program meets a given state’s educational requirements, please visit the University of Cincinnati State Authorization webpage.
Careers & Outcomes
Who Is This Program For?
This program may be a good fit for:
- Bachelor’s degree holders interested in blood banking
- Laboratory professionals seeking transfusion-medicine specialization
- Science professionals preparing for categorical certification
- Professionals working with blood products and compatibility testing
- Laboratory employees seeking structured clinical education
Career Opportunities
UC’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Immunohematology (Blood Banking) focuses on blood-group systems, blood products, transfusion practices and the immunologic and physiological principles supporting safe transfusion therapy.
After satisfying applicable certification, licensure and employer requirements, graduates may pursue or advance within roles such as:
- Blood bank scientist
- Immunohematology technologist
- Transfusion-service laboratory professional
- Blood bank quality-control specialist
- Immunohematology technical specialist
- Donor-testing laboratory professional
Graduates may work in hospitals, blood centers, transfusion services, diagnostic laboratories, public health laboratories, biotechnology companies, research institutions and educational settings.
Career Outlook
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reports that clinical laboratory technologists and technicians earned a national median annual wage of $62,930 in May 2025. Employment is projected to grow 3% from 2025 to 2035, with approximately 20,800 openings projected each year.
BLS includes blood bank technologists within this broader occupational category. These figures represent national occupational data and are not specific to blood banking certificate graduates. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.
Build Your Credentials
The certificate prepares graduates to apply for the ASCP Board of Certification examination for the Scientist in Blood Banking, BB(ASCP), credential through Route 3.
Certification eligibility is determined by ASCP. State licensure and additional employer requirements may apply.
With certification and professional experience, graduates may progress into positions such as:
- Lead blood bank scientist
- Immunohematology technical specialist
- Transfusion-service quality specialist
- Laboratory education coordinator
- Blood bank supervisor
- Transfusion-service manager
The program combines asynchronous coursework with required in-person clinical education and is designed to be completed in three consecutive part-time semesters. New cohorts are scheduled to begin every other semester starting in Fall 2027.
Continue Your Education at UC
Professionals seeking broader leadership, education or advanced-practice preparation may continue into UC’s online Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science Leadership.
Experienced professionals who hold an accepted generalist MLS or MT certification may also pursue UC’s online Doctor of Clinical Laboratory Science. A categorical certificate alone does not satisfy the DCLS program’s generalist-certification requirement
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