Medical Laboratory Technician
65 Credit Associate DegreeProgram Description
At career entry, the medical laboratory technician will be able to perform routine clinical laboratory tests (such as hematology, clinical chemistry, immunohematology, microbiology, serology/immunology, coagulation, molecular, and other emerging diagnostics) as the primary analyst making specimen oriented decisions on predetermined criteria, including a working knowledge of critical values. Communications skills will extend to frequent interactions with members of the healthcare team, external relations, customer service and patient education. The level of analysis ranges from waived and point of care testing to complex testing encompassing all major areas of the medical laboratory. The medical laboratory technician will have diverse functions in areas of preanalytical, analytical, post-analytical processes. The medical laboratory technician will have responsibilities for information processing, training, and quality control monitoring wherever medical laboratory testing is performed. Accreditation Information: The Medical Laboratory Technician Associate Degree program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, 773.714.8880.
This program may require a Criminal Background Check and/or Health Record
Acceptance to Northcentral Technical College will not be denied based on a criminal background or health record.
Found in These Career Fields:
Approximate Program Cost
$12,750
Tuition & Fees:
$11,514
Books & Supplies: $1,236
Books & Supplies: $1,236
Starting Salary
$33,602–$47,372
Average,
based on the NTC Graduate Outcomes Report
Financial Aid
Available
Total financial aid offered may not exceed the estimated Cost of Attendance (COA).
Available Via
Distance Learning
Complete coursework online and demonstrate practical skills at an on-site lab location near you with our new Distance Learning option.
Media from the Medical Laboratory Technician Program
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Availability
Courses for this program may be available at a variety of campus locations through multiple modes of delivery if you meet the admission requirements and prerequisites.
* Campus and online availability of courses and programs may be subject to change.
Prerequisites
- Chemistry (either high school or college level Chemistry)
Outcomes
Graduates will be able to…
- Model professional behaviors, communication, ethics and appearance
- Perform information processing in the clinical laboratory
- Correlate laboratory results to diagnosis of clinical conditions and/or diseases
- Apply modern clinical methodologies including problem solving and troubleshooting according to predetermined criteria
- Monitor and evaluate quality control in the laboratory
- Collect and process biological specimens
- Practice laboratory safety and regulatory compliance
Careers
Some of the potential careers graduates can pursue are:
- Laboratory Assistant
- Specimen Processor
- Phlebotomist
- Quality Control Technician
- Pathology Research Assistant
- Medical Laboratory Technician
Courses
The Medical Laboratory Technician Associate Degree is a 65 Credit program. The following is a typical semester breakdown of the courses within the program.
* College 101 (10-890-165) is not part of the program credit requirements but is a College Requirement for graduation that must be passed with a “C” or better.
Credit for Prior Learning Available
View All Detailed Course Information
Accreditation
The Medical Laboratory Technician program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 North River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018, 773.714.8880.
ASCP MLT Board of Certification Exam Statistics
Program Outcome Goal: 100% Pass Rate
| Exam Date | NTC Pass Rate | National Pass Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | 100% | 78% |
| 2022 | 100% | 78% |
| 2021 | 100% | 77% |
| Three Year Average | 100% |
Graduation and Attrition Rates
For students who begin the final half of the program, with the final half being defined as the fall semester of the second year, the following table indicates the graduation and attrition rates:
Program Outcome Goal: Graduation Rate of 70% or better
| Year | Graduation Rate | Attrition Rate |
|---|---|---|
| July 2022 – June 2023 | 88% | 11% |
| July 2021 – June 2022 | 100% | 0% |
| July 2020 – June 2021 | 100% | 0% |
| Three Year Average | 96% | 4% |
Placement Rates
Employed or continued with education within one year of graduation.
Program Outcome Goal: Placement Rates of 70% or better for respondent graduates
| Year | Yearly Average Placement Rate |
|---|---|
| Graduation in Spring 2023 | 100% |
| Graduation in Spring 2022 | 100% |
| Graduation in Spring 2021 | 100% |
| Three Year Average | 100% |
Transfer Information
You can continue your education to earn a four-year degree in a variety of ways.
Program Transfer
The following transfer guides, executed in partnership with post-secondary institutions, are based on agreements that allow you to continue your program at another college.
| School Name | Degree Name |
|---|---|
| Siena Heights University | Bachelor of Applied Science |
| South Dakota State University | Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science |
| University of Cincinnati | Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science |
| UW Oshkosh | Bachelor of Human Services Leadership |
| UW Stevens Point | Bachelor of Clinical Laboratory Sciences, Med Tech Option |
General Transfer
All associate degrees transfer to a variety of programs at other partner colleges to give you the opportunity to continue your education in other areas of study.
View all transfer guides
Cost of Attendance
2023-2024 Estimated Academic Year Budgeted Cost of Attendance
The estimated Cost of Attendance (COA) is a budget that includes categories of expenses that a student can expect to incur while attending college. The COA does not reflect actual charges. It is an average based on the estimated living costs typical of our region. In determining the cost of attendance, Northcentral Technical College uses the budget established by the Wisconsin Technical College System (WTCS) Financial Aid Budget Work Group. This budget is used to determine financial need for all students who apply for financial aid. A student's cost of attendance is composed of all educational expenses that can be included for financial aid purposes that a student may accrue while pursuing their education for the year (or semester, if enrolled less than a year). A student's financial aid cannot exceed their cost of attendance. Schools are required to provide a fuller picture of what it may cost students to pursue their degree, not just what they will owe in tuition/fees and books/supplies.
| Expenses | Student Living With Parents (Home) | Student Living on Own (Other) | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time Tuition (based on a total of 30 credits, 15 credits fall and 15 credits spring) |
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| Living Expenses (Housing & Food) | $4,052 | $9,614 | ||
| Books / Supplies | $2,061 | $2,061 | ||
| Transportation | $2,007 | $2,007 | ||
| Personal Expenses | $2,245 | $2,245 | ||
| Loan Fees | $83 | $83 | ||
| Professional Licensure / Certification | $215† | $215† | ||
| Total Estimated Cost Of Attendance |
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* Tuition listed is based on approved rates for the 2023-2024 academic year with a projected base increase of 1.65%. Rates are approved each March by the Wisconsin Technical College System Board and estimated budgets are updated at that time.
Students with dependent care, computer or study abroad expenses should contact the Financial Aid Office to document allowable expenses which may serve to increase their COA.
Students awarded Federal Direct Loan(s) also have an average of the mandatory loan fees automatically added to their COA.
Students with disability-related expenses may contact the Financial Aid Office to have their additional expenses considered. Disability-related expenses include but are not limited to: personal assistance, equipment, and supplies. The Financial Aid Office may potentially include disability expenses in the COA that are not provided by other assisting agencies.
† Medical Laboratory Technician, MLT(ASCP): $215 — as of 7/1/23 this cost will increase by $10 (incurred during second year, spring semester).
NTC also offers a Net Price Calculator to help estimate costs.
For more information regarding billed tuition and fees visit https://www.ntc.edu/admissions/tuition-fees
We’re happy to answer any questions you may have about how the financial aid process works. Please feel free to reach out for more information.
NTC Financial Aid Office
Additional Information
Distance Learning Option Now Available
The Medical Laboratory Technician program is now available in a Distance Learning format, allowing you to complete coursework online, but demonstrate lab skills at a lab location near you. This option may be ideal if you like a more flexible course schedule and have full laboratory support. Please note, there are additional admissions steps required for this option.
Want to learn more about this program?
Fill out our Medical Laboratory Technician Exploration form to talk with one of our instructors from the Medical Laboratory Technician program or to attend a hands-on lab.
View the student handbook for more detailed information on the MLT program including: program outcome statistics, a listing of clinical sites, student policies, and faculty and staff contact information.
Licensure/Certification Information
NTC’s Medical Laboratory Technician Associate Degree is designed to meet the State of Wisconsin's licensing and certification criteria. However, NTC has not made a determination whether this program meets licensure/certification requirements in states other than Wisconsin. Students who may be seeking professional licensure or certification in states other than Wisconsin should contact the appropriate licensing board in that state to verify that the NTC program meets licensure or certification requirements.
Scholarship Opportunities
Collaboration of Wisconsin Rural Investment in Community Healthcare (COW RICH) Grant (for students graduating by Spring 2024)
Additional funding may be available to assist with your training through external sources.
Admissions Process
Our application process takes just a few minutes to complete, but we want to make sure you have the things you’ll need on hand to complete the application. We’re here to help if you have any questions while submitting your application.
Before you apply, you should know
- If you are interested in the Distance Learning Option of this program, you must complete a Statement of Support from your desired lab location and email it to registration@ntc.edu before you can be accepted into this program option.
- This program may require a Criminal Background Check and/or Health Record. Acceptance to Northcentral Technical College will not be denied based on a criminal background or health record, however, a check may be required for placement at clinical sites or field experiences.
Fill out our application
The application can be submitted online and takes just a few minutes to complete. There is no fee to apply.
Apply NowThen, submit one of the following
Documentation can be sent via email to admissions@ntc.edu, via mail, addressed to: Northcentral Technical College, ATTN: Admissions, 1000 W. Campus Drive, Wausau, WI 54401, or delivered in person to any NTC campus.
- High school transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above. Contact the high school you attended if you do not have a copy of your transcript.
- ACT composite score of 18 or above. Request an ACT College Report from ACT or contact the high school you graduated from if you do not have a copy on hand.
- Accuplacer scores. Score requirements vary by program and version of the Accuplacer test that was taken. For more details, please contact Admissions. If you did not take the Accuplacer at NTC, contact the college at which you took it to obtain a copy of your scores.
- College transcript indicating a cumulative GPA of 2.5 over a minimum of 12 credits, earned at a single college.
If you do not meet any one of the above criteria, don’t worry, complete the application anyway and we will contact you to discuss your options.
What’s Next?
We’ll review your application and let you know if we need anything else. If you’re all set, your acceptance letter will be emailed to you.