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Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT)
Become a qualified technician with a Medical Laboratory Associate of Applied Science degree or Phlebotomy Certificate from Arapahoe Community College.
Become a qualified technician with the skills and confidence to perform laboratory procedures and testing techniques. With an Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology, you can work with healthcare partners and physicians on determining the causes of patient illnesses. As a student, you’ll learn from the most qualified faculty, with over 20 years of experience, from a quality program. Once you graduate, get into the workforce or take the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board certification exam. Help produce results and put patients at ease in their medical care. We need you!
MLT Application Deadline
After you apply to ACC, you will need to apply for the MLT program. The application process is open from January 1 - March 31 for the following fall semester each year. The application will be posted during that timeframe through the Apply button on this page.
What You'll Learn
Once you complete the Medical Laboratory Technology program you will be prepared to take the National Medical Laboratory Technician Certification with the skills to help you begin your career or further it. Once you graduate, you’ll be able to:
- Display entry-level Medical Laboratory Technology skills in the following clinical lab areas:
- Blood bank
- Chemistry
- Hematology
- Immunology
- Microbiology
- Urinalysis / body fluids
- Lab Operations
- Show professional lab safety procedures
- Communicate and collaborate within a medical lab setting
Are you currently working in a hospital? Are you interested in getting your MLT AAS degree or Phlebotomy certification but live in a rural area and are too far away to come to campus? If so, please contact Jennifer Kellogg at jennifer [dot] kellogg [at] arapahoe [dot] edu (jennifer[dot]kellogg[at]arapahoe[dot]edu) to talk about alternate options.
CIP 511005 (MLSA)
This degree is designed to prepare students for an entry-level position as a Medical Laboratory Scientist including preparation for the national Board of Certification exam. Medical Laboratory Scientists work in the laboratory in hospitals, clinics, veterinary clinics and in research.
An MLS will work with physicians and other members of the health care team to determine the cause of a patient's illness. Students learn advanced theory and techniques and gain industry knowledge through courses such as hematology, chemistry, microbiology and immunohematology.
Students gain experience in clinical settings at their place of employment. This program offers courses in a 100% online format. Graduates beginning employment in this field find careers as medical laboratory scientists in hospital laboratories, clinics, public health, veterinary clinics and research laboratories.
A full-time student can complete this Bachelors of Applied Science (BAS) degree in two years. After graduation, students typically seek employment; however, they do have opportunities to seek additional education to enhance their skills.
To be successful in this program, students should be comfortable with technology, have an interest in healthcare, and enjoy working with people.
The ACC Medical Laboratory Science program is housed in the School of Health and Public Services Division. The MLS Program Chair's phone number is 303.797.5796.
Admission Requirements
- Admission to Arapahoe Community College
- Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology
- Current ASCP/AMT certification in Medical Laboratory Technology
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- Achieve a "C" or better in all required courses.
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation
- Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) courses must be completed within five years of a student's graduation.
CIP 511004 (4AML)
The Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree in Medical Laboratory Technology is designed to prepare qualified technicians to perform a variety of complex laboratory tests which play an important role in the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of many diseases and in the promotion of health. Upon successful completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take national examinations to become certified Medical Laboratory Technicians.
As a certified MLT, employment is available in hospitals and clinics as well as veterinary, industrial and environmental laboratories in Colorado or in other states.
The MLT Program is delivered in an online/hybrid format and is available in a 1-year fast track option and 2-year traditional route. More than two years may be taken to complete the program. Students may begin general education classes at any time, according to published semester schedules. All MLT didactic courses are offered in a hybrid format. Student lab sessions meet on select Fridays from 4:30 pm to 8:30 pm and on Saturdays 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) http://www.naacls.org. NAACLS can be reached at 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, phone (773) 714-8880; Fax (773) 714-8886; Email: naacls [at] mcs [dot] net (naacls[at]mcs[dot]net).
Admission Requirements
- Admission to Arapahoe Community College
- Complete MLT Program Online Application
- Personal interview with MLT Program Director
- Criminal Background Check (prior to registering for any MLT course)
Transfer students: Courses from NAACLS-approved MLT-CLT programs and Military Laboratory Specialists programs will be evaluated on an individual basis.
Program Requirements
MLT Graduation Requirements (additional)
- Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) courses must be completed within five years of a student's graduation.
- Please contact the MLT Program Director if you have questions about these academic requirements.
Graduation Requirements
- All major, general education and other courses required for this degree must be completed with a "C" or better to meet graduation requirements.
- To graduate, students must apply for graduation and complete the graduation survey (available via myACC). (form available at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation)
- After applying for graduation, all correspondence to a student about the status of their program conferral will be sent to their student email address only.
- As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.
CIP 511009 (PHL2)
Phlebotomy is the acquired professional skill of performing vein punctures (drawing blood). The Phlebotomy Certificate is a fifteen-week class that meets evenings during the spring and fall semesters. This seven-credit certificate includes four credits of lecture/didactic information and three credits of clinical internship.
120 hours of clinical internship are required for the program. This internship requires 3 consecutive weeks (120 hours) during the semester of attendance. This internship is Monday-Friday for 8 hours each day. There are no evening or weekend internships available. In order to complete the certificate you must be available to complete this internship.
Admission Requirements
- Admission to Arapahoe Community College
- Register for HPR 1020 and HPR 1080
Program Requirements
Graduation Requirements
- Apply for graduation online at www.arapahoe.edu/graduation.
- As a graduate of a Career and Technical Education program you will be contacted by an ACC employee in approximately six months to verify your employment information. This information gathering is a federal requirement to ensure that ACC receives certain federal funding.
- Please contact the MLT Department Chair if you have any questions about these academic requirements.
ACC academic plans will help guide you through your chosen program. The academic plan will provide you with important information, like which semesters courses are offered if there are any prerequisites or co-requisites for courses, program outcomes, course sequence recommendations, notes for the program, graduation requirements, and other important information. These are updated annually, so we recommend downloading a copy of yours to keep on track to graduation.
The ACC MLT program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). NAACLS can be reached at: 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 or phone 773.714.8880/fax 773.714.8886. Email: naacls [at] mcs [dot] net (naacls[at]mcs[dot]net) | webpage: www.naacls.org.
ALL MLT classes are offered in an online / hybrid format for each MLT online / hybrid course students meet for lab sessions on Fridays from 4:30 - 8:30pm & Saturdays from 9:00am - 4:30pm.
Course Scheduling
You may begin academic courses, other than MLT courses, at any time, according to published semester schedules.
Courses from NAACLS-accredited CLT / MLT programs and Military Laboratory Specialists programs will be evaluated on an individual basis. Commercial-technical programs are not eligible for transfer credit unless North Central is accredited.
MLT Program Costs
At today's tuition rates, the 63 credit hours of the MLT AAS degree would only cost a COF (College Opportunity Fund) eligible student approximately $11,500. For tuition and fees updates and tuition information for non-residents, visit our Tuition and Fees page.
Additional fees for:
- background check
- drug test
- textbooks
- lab coat
- certification exam
Phlebotomy Program Costs
At today's tuition rates, the 7 credit hours of the phlebotomy certificate would cost a COF (College Opportunity Fund), eligible student, approximately $1200. Additional costs include the costs of textbooks and graduation application, approximately $35-45 for the textbook. To see updates and non-resident costs, visit our Tuition and Fees page.
Once accepted into the program:
- A Criminal Background Check is required for all phlebotomy students. In the event the student background check reveals any disqualifying factors a student will be dismissed from the MLT / phlebotomy program. View disqualifying events information. Please note: Criminal background checks require a fee and the applicant's social security number.
- The following vaccinations will be required:
- Tetanus
- Varicella (chicken pox)
- Hepatitis B. For additional information about the Hepatitis B vaccine, visit the CDC website.
- MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella) vaccines for immunity. For additional information about the MMR vaccine, visit the CDC website.
- Tuberculosis. Documentation for Negative Tuberculosis from a Tuberculin Skin Test (PPD) is required. For additional information, visit the CDC website.
- Current seasonal flu vaccine. For additional information, visit the CDC website.
- A negative drug screen result is required by clinical affiliation agreement(s). Students who test positive will be removed from the program. Please note the use of marijuana is strictly prohibited.
- 2021: ASCP Board of Certification Pass Rate (first attempt) - 100%
- 2022: ASCP Board of Certification Pass Rate (first attempt) - 89.5%
- 2023: ASCP Board of Certification Pass Rate (first attempt) - 75%
Graduate Survey- Employed in MLT-related job within 1 year of graduation:
- 2021 - 100%
- 2022 - 100%
- 2023 - 100%
Graduation Rates:
- 2021 - 100%
- 2022 - 95%
- 2023 - 96%
To learn more, please review the licensure information provided for the program of interest on our Professional Licensure page.
ACC MLT Off-Campus
ACC MLT Orientation
ACC MLT Testimonial
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Job Opportunities in Medical Laboratory Technology
MLT Program Details
Our lab sessions are held on Friday afternoons and Saturdays and all MLT courses are hybrid (partially online) to provide the flexibility you need. You can opt to take the 1-year fast-tracked program and get your degree sooner if you have completed all general education classes prior to the program application.
As a part of your degree, you'll spend 13 weeks in a clinical internship program at hospital clinical sites. This will help improve your skills and give you real-world experience. It will also help you make connections to take that next step in your career path.
MLTs have a passion for both science and medicine. They demonstrate a commitment to excellence in working with their healthcare partners and physicians to determine the causes of patient illness.
Professional practice duties include:
- Collection and processing of biological specimens for analysis
- Performing analytical tests on body fluids, cells, and blood products
- Recognizing factors that affect procedures and results, and taking appropriate actions within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated
- Monitoring quality control within predetermined limits
- Performing preventative and corrective maintenance of equipment and instruments or referring to appropriate sources for repairs
- Demonstrating professional conduct and interpersonal communication skills with patients, laboratory personnel, other healthcare professionals, and the public
- Recognizing the responsibilities of other laboratory and health care personnel and interacting with them with respect for their jobs and patient care
- Applying basic scientific principles in learning new techniques and procedures
- Relating laboratory findings to common disease processes
- Recognizing and acting upon individual needs for continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence
Phlebotomy Certificate
If you are interested in a career in healthcare (and don't have a fear of needles), a certificate in Phlebotomy may be the right path for you. What is Phlebotomy? Phlebotomy is the acquired professional skill of drawing blood. Our program works with your schedule. It only takes 15 weeks (1 semester) to complete and classes are in the evenings from 5-8pm.
