Medical Laboratory Technology - Associate Degree
Medical laboratory technologists are skilled professional healthcare workers in high demand in the job market. The work lab techs perform examining and analysing bodily tissues, fluids, and cells is critical to a physician’s ability to diagnose and treat disease.
Eastern Florida State College’s two-year Medical Laboratory Technology A.S. degree program (MLT) trains students who are interested in biology and chemistry to work in clinical labs in such areas as hematology, mycology, urinalysis, immunohematology (blood bank), chemistry, microbiology, and serology.
Students learn to perform diagnostic procedures at EFSC’s specially equipped lab, then do three clinical rotations at area hospitals.
The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences at 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018. Telephone: 773-714-8880
Graduates are eligible for state license as required by the Florida Clinical Laboratory Law and may sit for national registry exams and apply for national certification.
Medical Laboratory Technology - Associate Degree
Program Overview
- Degree Type
- Associate in Science (A.S.)
- Delivery Method
- On-Campus
- Location
- Cocoa
- Total Credit Hours
- 76
- Academic Community
- Health Sciences
- Contact Information
-
Health Science Advising
Email Advising
321-433-7575
medical laboratory technology COURSE CURRICULUM
The program's curriculum includes three basic course types:
- Lecture courses, in which the emphasis is on learning and discussing the theory behind tests and procedures, along with their application to patient diagnosis.
- College lab courses, designed to allow the student to actually perform laboratory testing in a simulated scenario and on automated analyzers. Students will also become competent in basic skills such as pipetting and cell counting.
- Hospital practicums to introduce the student to the real-world clinical atmosphere.
Medical Laboratory Techology Admissions Information
EFSC’s Medical Lab Tech A.S. degree is a limited access program with a separate Selection and Application process in addition to the general EFSC admissions process:
- Meet with a Health Sciences advisor. While this is optional, it's the best way to review program requirements and can
lead to selection criteria points. An advisor can also review required program prerequisite courses, which also earn selection points. Prior to the application deadline, students applying
to the program must have completed both General Chemistry I and II (CHM 1045 and 1046),
General Biology (BSCC 1010), plus five required General Education courses.
- Apply for Admission: Interested students should review and complete the customized Selection Criteria and Application Process. Completed application files are due by the June 1st deadline for a Fall Term start. As you apply, also review Frequently Asked Questions. Please Note: If the deadline has passed, contact a health sciences advisor to see if seats may be available for a late application.
- If selected, complete Accepted Student Requirements. Students accepted into the Medical Laboratory Technology A.S. program must undergo a background check and drug screening, with certain immunizations also required.
Brief Costs & Financial Aid Eligibility
Estimated expenses, including tuition and fees, for EFSC’s Medical Laboratory Technology A.S. program total approximately $12,000. The program is eligible for Federal financial aid and you should apply for financial aid and scholarships that can reduce your out-of-pocket costs.
College Courses You Would Take
The hands-on curriculum will take you from the college lab to community based clinical rotations where you can put what you've learned into practice. Here are just four of the courses you will take:
Learn the theory of these two procedures including the action of antigens, formation of antibodies, types of immunity, and how immunization helps prevent disease.
Explore the operation and maintenance of the instruments used in the clinical laboratory, with an emphasis on safety, OSHA regulations, and quality control.
Capstone course with case-based learning designed to guide MLT students in preparing for national certification examinations.
Hospital experience to help students gain proficiency in transfusion laboratory testing and build entry-level employment skills.
Focused on Program Outcomes
The job market is often better for med techs than for biology or chemistry majors, as most areas have a hospital or a laboratory. EFSC's program outcome measures indicate that the job placement rate for our graduates has been 100% for the 2019-20 class through the 2021-22 graduates.
Plus a Focus on Safety
Students enrolled in the Medical Laboratory program may be exposed to bloodborne pathogens. All students must have a thorough knowledge and understanding of infectious diseases, the mechanism of disease transmission, the OSHA bloodborne pathogen standards and CDC guidelines for infection control.
Related Programs
The Medical Lab Tech A.S degree can prepare you to apply for EFSC’s Applied Health Sciences Bachelor of Applied Science - Biomedical Science or Biotechnology specializations. You can also explore other programs of interest to someone who likes science and working in a lab.