Program Overview

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Summary

Develop a foundation in general science learning before focusing on skills required for employment as a Medical Laboratory Technician. Train on standard medical laboratory technology and complete a practicum in clinical/medical laboratories.

What You’ll Learn

• Perform routine laboratory testing and procedures in a clinical laboratory
• Work effectively in a clinical laboratory setting with co-workers, healthcare staff and patients
• Recognize and evaluate normal/abnormal test results and take appropriate action
• Perform quality control and evaluate results
• Operate routine laboratory equipment and analyzers
• Recognize and comply with workplace practices and policies, such as safety and patient confidentiality
• Demonstrate a professional work ethics

Program Description

The Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences degree is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to work in clinical laboratories as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT). Upon completion of the degree, graduates are eligible to take the national MLT certification exam. Certification is a requirement for working in the healthcare field. Shoreline Community College works with clinical affiliates, an MLT advisory committee and accreditation guidelines to make sure students receive the knowledge and skills currently in demand for employment.

AAAS Degree (115-117 Credits)

Grade of 2.0 or better for each individual course in the program required.

Program Prerequisites

For the AAAS degree program, placement into ENGL& 101 and MATH& 146 is required. Credit in the physical sciences may be applied if earned within the past five years, and includes in-person labs. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis. Proof of current Healthcare Provider (CPR & AED) certificates required.

General Education Core Requirements (13-15 Credits)

Communication Skills (5 Credits)

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I

Multicultural Understanding (3-5 Credits)

Choose one of the following courses: BUS 103, HUM 105, CMST 203, CMST 285, GWS 284, HIST 245, AES 101, PSYC 230, SOC 270.

Quantitative/Symbolic Reasoning (5 credits)

• MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats

Program Core Requirements (34 Credits)

Science Courses

The following science courses must be taken with in-person labs for those with lab components. Exceptions may be made on an individual basis.

• BIOL& 170 Human Biology
• BIOL& 211 Majors Cellular: Biology
• BIOL& 260 Microbiology
• CHEM& 121 Intro to Chemistry
• CHEM& 131 Introduction to Organic/Biochemistry

Spring Quarter Prior to Professional Year

• MLT 181 Introduction to Medical Lab Procedures
• MLT 182 Lab: Med. Lab Procedures
• MLT 183 Mathematic Applications for the Clinical Laboratory
• MLT 184 Preparation as a Laboratory Professional

Professional Year (68 Credits)

Fall Quarter

• MLT 221 Hematology Lecture
• MLT 225 Clinical Immunology Lecture
• MLT 226 Urinalysis, Body Fluids, and Coagulation Lecture
• MLT 231 Hematology Laboratory
• MLT 235 Clinical Immunology Laboratory
• MLT 236 Urinalysis, Body Fluids, and Coagulation Laboratory

Winter Quarter

• MLT 200 MLT Phlebotomy Skills Lab
• MLT 222 Clinical Chemistry Lecture
• MLT 224 Clinical Microbiology Lecture
• MLT 232 Clinical Chemistry Lab
• MLT 234 Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

Spring or Fall Quarter

• MLT 132 Phlebotomy Practicum * Variable credit class. 2 credits of MLT 132 required for this degree.
• MLT 241 Hematology Practicum
• MLT 242 Chemistry Practicum
• MLT 244 Microbiology Practicum

Summer Quarter

• MLT 245 Integrated Immunohematology

Approval To Graduate

Student Name, SID and Date:

Faculty Advisor and Date:

Division Dean and Date:

Credential Approval and Date:

Additional Information

MLT Program applications are due May 10th. Selection to the Professional year of the MLT program is based on successful completion of academic prerequisite requirements. Acceptance is limited by the number of clinical spaces for practicum training. Students accepted into the MLT program must be full time student. The MLT program application can be found at medical-lab-technology/documents/MLT-Application.pdf.

Required vaccinations: Hepatitis B, MMR, Tdap, influenza, and two-step TB skin tests, Varicella, and full COVID.

Required Documents: Background check, Health insurance, and AHA BLS CPR certification.

Assigned clinical training facilities may have additional student requirements.

Professional Organizations

• American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science (ASCLS)
• American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science- Washington State
• American Society for Clinical Pathology

Certification in Clinical Laboratory Careers

• Medical Laboratory Technician Certification: MLT (ASCP) American Society for Clinical Laboratory Pathology (ASCP) ASCP Board of Certification

MLT Program Accreditation

• National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), 5600 N River Road, Rosemont, IL

Salary Information

• Bureau of Labor Statistics
• Salary.com

Job Search Information

• Washington State Hospital Association, member listing
• Job listing
• Job seeking

Program Advisor

• Banafsheh Rassaian Rm 6318

Program Information

• Length of Program: 115 - 117 Credits
• Completion Award: AAAS Degree
• Enrollment: Fall Quarter for professional year
• Approximate Quarterly Costs: $1400 (in addition to tuition, books and parking)

Careers & Opportunities

Graduates work as Medical Laboratory Technicians in clinical and research laboratories. As generalists in a clinical laboratory, MLTs can develop skills to work in a special testing area. With additional work experience, training and a bachelor's degree, an MLT can advance to a Medical Laboratory Scientist, Medical Technologist, Supervisor and Manager. For salary information, visit the Bureau of Labor Statistics at

Potential Employers

• Clinical hospital laboratories
• Outreach laboratories
• Medical and reference laboratories
• Research laboratories
• Public health laboratories
• Blood banks

Sample Degree Map

The following outline is designed to provide you with an example of what a full-time sequence of courses might look like. The first three quarters of this program can be adjusted to a pace that works for you and can accommodate any pre-requisites you may need to complete. Starting in Quarter 4 the curriculum becomes highly structured and prescribed. We encourage every student to meet with an Academic Advisor or program faculty to adapt this example to suit individual needs.

Quarter 1

• MATH& 146 Introduction to Stats
• BIOL& 170 Human Biology
• BIOL 90 Biology Special Lab - support for BIOL& 170
• MATH 46 Intermediate Algebra Support for Statistics

Quarter 2

• ENGL& 101 English Composition I
• CHEM& 121 Intro to Chemistry
• ENGL 110 Reading and Writing Strategies
• CHEM 90 Chemistry Special Lab - support for CHEM& 121
• STYSK 100 Academic Success Strategies

Quarter 3

• BIOL& 211 Majors Cellular: Biology
• CHEM& 131 Introduction to Organic/Biochemistry
• Multicultural Understanding course such as BUS 103 Multiculturalism in the Workplace

Quarter 4 - Spring

• BIOL& 260 Microbiology
• MLT 181 Introduction to Medical Lab Procedures
• MLT 182 Lab: Med. Lab Procedures
• MLT 183 Mathematic Applications for the Clinical Laboratory
• MLT 184 Preparation as a Laboratory Professional

Quarter 5 - Fall

• MLT 221 Hematology Lecture
• MLT 231 Hematology Laboratory
• MLT 226 Urinalysis, Body Fluids, and Coagulation Lecture
• MLT 236 Urinalysis, Body Fluids, and Coagulation Laboratory
• MLT 225 Clinical Immunology Lecture
• MLT 235 Clinical Immunology Laboratory

Quarter 6 - Winter

• MLT 200 MLT Phlebotomy Skills Lab
• MLT 222 Clinical Chemistry Lecture
• MLT 232 Clinical Chemistry Lab
• MLT 224 Clinical Microbiology Lecture
• MLT 234 Clinical Microbiology Laboratory

Quarter 7 - Spring

• MLT 132 Phlebotomy Practicum
• MLT 241 Hematology Practicum
• MLT 242 Chemistry Practicum
• MLT 244 Microbiology Practicum

Quarter 8 - Summer

• MLT 245 Integrated Immunohematology

Tuition & Fees

Estimated Tuition & Fees

(does not include additional program or course fees, books, or supply costs)

Per Quarter | WA-Resident | Non-WA resident, US citizen, & Eligible non-citizen On Campus | Non-WA resident Non-US citizen | Non-WA resident, US citizen Online Only ---|---|---|---|--- 1 credit | $126.47 | $246.49 | $327.01 | $144.67 5 credits | $632.35 | $1,232.45 | $1,635.05 | $723.35 12 credits (full-time) | $1,387.14 | $2,487.04 | $3,408.94 | $1,571.08 15 credits | $1,570.80 | $2,520.25 | $3,617.20 | $1,757.65

Additional Program Fees

Approximately $1000 per quarter

Ways to Pay for School

Federal aid, scholarships, grants, and more are available to help you pay for school.

Next Steps

Admission to this program is through an application process. Applicants need to meet the eligibility requirements and apply to the program as well as the College. Faculty and staff are available to assist with the process.

Applications are accepted once annually in advance of each Fall quarter from February 10 – May 10. Students are notified of acceptance to the MLT Program by June 30.

Related Program Options

• Medical Laboratory Science Pre-Major
• Medical Laboratory Technology Certificate
• Phlebotomy Certificate

Explore the Medical Laboratory Technology Department

• Department Overview
• Programs
• Courses
• Faculty & Staff
• Accreditation
• Clinical Training Facilities