Medical Laboratory Technology
Overview
As a lab tech, you perform precise procedures that provide a wide range of information for physicians to use in diagnosis and treatment. You’ll learn to operate computerized lab equipment and to use quality-control methods to guarantee accurate information for patient care.
Medical laboratory technicians provide a wide range of information for physicians to use in diagnosis and treatment. Technicians work in clinical settings under the supervision of medical laboratory scientists and pathologists and are required to perform precise tests and procedures to guarantee accurate information for patient care. Technicians analyze body fluids, isolate and identify microorganisms, study blood components, perform pre-transfusion tests, and determine disease-related immune responses.
The MLT Degree program prepares students to operate computerized lab equipment in a safe, cost-effective manner and to use quality control methods to assess the accuracy of lab data. Students acquire a working knowledge in the areas of hematology, urology, parasitology, immunology, clinical chemistry, clinical microbiology, and blood banking. In addition, they develop important communication skills to be used in translating reports, records, and results.
Learning Settings
Learning experiences for students in the Medical Laboratory Technology Degree Program are provided in classrooms and laboratories on the Airport Campus in the Health Sciences Building. Student preclinical experience is provided through state-of-the-art medical lab science equipment available in the two on-campus labs. Required clinical experiences (externships/internships) are arranged through affiliations with local healthcare facilities.
Requirements & Certificates
Graduates of the program are eligible to take the Board of Certification (BOC) examination offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) to earn the designation Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT).
Students are required to purchase and maintain standard uniforms and safety equipment at an approximate total cost of $300. The American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification examination fee is approximately $215.
Students must attain a grade of “C” in all curriculum courses to successfully complete the program. No course may be repeated more than one time. No more than 2 courses within the curriculum program may be repeated and only one Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT prefix) course may be repeated.
Courses must be taken in the appropriate sequences.
Accreditation
The program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences. Please see our Program Outcomes Data.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemount, Illinois 60018-5119
847-939-3597
773-714-8880
www.naacls.org
In addition to the college’s placement test and the admission requirements for the Health Sciences Department, there are additional specific eligibility and interview criteria for the Medical Laboratory Technology program.
Admissions Criteria
- Observation in a clinical setting.
- TOEFL test for international students.
- Interview by the Medical Laboratory Admissions Committee.
- Acceptable criminal background check and drug screening.
- Physical Examination with TB test (completed after interview) by entry date.
Other Criteria
- High school or college credits in science/mathematics (algebra, chemistry, physics, biology) recommended
- High school diploma or equivalent
How to Enroll
To pursue this degree, you must apply to MTC using our online application.
Questions?
Sample Program Plan and Costs
Class Delivery Methods
View current courses offered via our online course directory.
| On-Campus | Traditional. Classes meet on campus. |
|---|---|
| Virtual | 100% online. Meets with a live instructor and classmates on specific days, at specific times. Uses web conferencing software, like Zoom. |
| Hybrid | Some classes on campus. Some classes online or virtual. |
| Online | 100% online. Due dates for projects and assignments. Self-paced work on your time. |
Full Time
| Semester | Course ID | Course Title | Classroom | Online | Hybrid | Virtual | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Semester 1 (14 Credit Hours) |
COL-106 |
Skills for College Success Skills for College Success ID: COL-106 Credit Hours: 1 This course is designed to enhance the skills of entering freshmen to facilitate their ability to succeed in the college environment. The course topics include student/instructor expectations, time management, library/computer orientation, listening/note-taking, studying for success, learning styles/personality types, and diversity and differences on campus. |
• | • | • | 1 | |
| MAT-102 |
Intermediate Algebra Intermediate Algebra ID: MAT-102 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics: properties of numbers; fundamental operations with algebraic expressions; polynomials; systems of equations; ratio and proportion; factoring; functions; graphs; solutions of linear inequalities; and linear and quadratic equations. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| ENG-160 |
Technical Communications Technical Communications ID: ENG-160 Credit Hours: 3 This course is a study of various technical communications such as definitions, processes, instructions, descriptions, and technical reports. |
• | • | • | 3 | ||
| PHI-115 |
Contemporary Moral Issues Contemporary Moral Issues ID: PHI-115 Credit Hours: 3 This course examines moral issues in contemporary society, including basic principles and applications of ethics. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| BIO-210 |
Anatomy and Physiology I Anatomy and Physiology I ID: BIO-210 Credit Hours: 4 This is the first in a sequence of courses, including an intensive coverage of the body as an integrated whole. All body systems are studied. Emphasis is placed on the manner in which systems interact to maintain homeostasis. The study includes general chemistry principles, biochemistry, cells and tissues and the following systems will be covered: integumentary, skeletal, muscular, nervous and special senses. |
• | • | • | 4 | ||
| Semester 2 (18 Credit Hours) |
CHM-110 |
College Chemistry I College Chemistry I ID: CHM-110 Credit Hours: 4 This is the first course in a sequence that includes the following topics: atomic and molecular structure, nomenclature and equations, properties, reactions and states of matter, stoichiometry, gas laws, solutions, and equilibria. |
• | • | 4 | ||
| MLT-102 |
Medical Lab Fundamentals Medical Lab Fundamentals ID: MLT-102 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces basic concepts and procedures in medical laboratory technology. |
• | • | 3 | |||
| MLT-110 |
Hematology Hematology ID: MLT-110 Credit Hours: 4 This course provides a study of the basic principles of hematology, including hemoglobins, hematocritc, white and red counts, and identification of blood cells. |
• | • | 4 | |||
| PSY-201 |
General Psychology General Psychology ID: PSY-201 Credit Hours: 3 This course includes the following topics and concepts in the science of behavior: scientific method, biological bases for behavior, perception, motivation, learning memory, development, personality, abnormal behavior, therapeutic techniques, and social psychology. |
• | • | • | • | 3 | |
| BIO-211 |
Anatomy and Physiology II Anatomy and Physiology II ID: BIO-211 Credit Hours: 4 This is a continuation of a sequence of courses, including intensive coverage of the body as an integrated whole. All body systems are studied. Emplasis is placed on the manner in which systems interact to maintain homeostasis. The following systems will be covered: endocrine, lymphatic, immune, circulatory, respiratory, digestive, urinary and reproductive. |
• | • | • | 4 | ||
| Semester 3 (12 Credit Hours) |
MLT-104 |
Basic Medical Microbiology Basic Medical Microbiology ID: MLT-104 Credit Hours: 2 This course introduces the study of basic concepts of medical microbiology. |
• | 2 | |||
| MLT-108 |
Urinalysis and Body Fluids Urinalysis and Body Fluids ID: MLT-108 Credit Hours: 3 This course introduces the routine analysis and clinical significance of urine and other body fluids. |
• | 3 | ||||
| MLT-115 |
Immunology Immunology ID: MLT-115 Credit Hours: 3 This course provides a study of the immune system, disease states, and the basic principles of immunological testing. |
• | 3 | ||||
| MLT-210 |
Advanced Hematology Advanced Hematology ID: MLT-210 Credit Hours: 4 This course provides a study of the diseases of blood cells and other hematologic procedures including coagulation. |
• | 4 | ||||
| Semester 4 (7 Credit Hours) |
MLT-120 |
Immunohematology Immunohematology ID: MLT-120 Credit Hours: 4 This course introduces the theory and practice of blood banking, including the ABO, RH and other blood group systems, compatibility testing, and HDN. |
• | 4 | |||
| MLT-260 |
Clinical Practicum I Clinical Practicum I ID: MLT-260 Credit Hours: 3 This course provides clinical experience in a supervised setting for developing technical proficiency in routine laboratory procedures. |
• | 3 | ||||
| Semester 5 (12 Credit Hours) |
MLT-130 |
Clinical Chemistry Clinical Chemistry ID: MLT-130 Credit Hours: 4 This course focuses on the study of nutritional, functional and excretional chemicals in blood and body fluids, including testing techniques and clinical significance. |
• | 4 | |||
| MLT-230 |
Advanced Clinical Chemistry Advanced Clinical Chemistry ID: MLT-230 Credit Hours: 4 This course includes advanced theory, principles, and instrument techniques used in clinical chemistry. |
• | 4 | ||||
| MLT-205 |
Advanced Microbiology Advanced Microbiology ID: MLT-205 Credit Hours: 4 This course provides a detailed study of microorganisms and the currently accepted procedures for identification of these microorganisms in the clinical laboratory. |
• | 4 | ||||
| Semester 6 (12 Credit Hours) |
MLT-270 |
Clinical Applications Clinical Applications ID: MLT-270 Credit Hours: 12 This course provides sequential practical experience in selected areas of a supervised clinical setting. |
• | 12 | |||
| Total Credit Hours | 75 | ||||||
| Estimated Cost Financial Aid |
$14,100.00 Not including fees and equipment |
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What’s next after I complete this program?
Begin a career immediately upon graduation
Medical Laboratory Technicians work behind the scenes in health care providing physicians with the vital information they need to diagnose, treat, and monitor patient health. Without the lab team, physicians are just guessing. Many opportunities are available for entry-level positions in hospital labs.
Begin a career upon graduation, then work on a bachelor’s degree to advance to a Medical Laboratory Scientist
Most MLTs want to advance in the field, and getting a bachelor’s degree with 1-year of lab experience makes students eligible for the MLS certification. This puts candidates in a position to move into supervisory and management roles. Most employers offer tuition assistance to obtain the bachelor's degree.