Medical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology)

Medical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) encompasses the performance and evaluation of scientific tests on blood, other body fluids or specimens. The results of these laboratory tests determine the presence of disease, aid in treatment and monitor therapy.  Medical Laboratory Scientists are in great demand in hospitals, private laboratories and industry.

For more information, contact the Admission Office at 1-800-DIAL-GMC or

e-mail at admissions@gmc.edu.

For a detailed description on the Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technology) program, click here

Career Opportunities

• Medical Laboratory Scienctists (Medical Technologists) can seek employment in many industries and organizations:
• Hospital and Private Clinical Laboratories: These are the traditional employers of Medical Laboratory Scientists. In these settings tests are performed to help diagnose and treat disease.
• Research: University, industrial research laboratories and pharmaceutical companies employ Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists) to help find solutions through research and development.
• Public Health: Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists)can find employment in state and city health laboratories. They are involved in community health projects, environmental testing and other projects that keep us healthy.
• Crime Laboratories: Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists) can find employment in crime laboratories where they perform forensic tests that help solve crimes, such as DNA testing.
• Sales and Marketing: Medical Laboratory Scienctists (Medical Technologists) have an ideal education for entry into sales and technical service for biomedical supply firms and pharmaceutical companies. Some computer companies who are involved in the installation of laboratory computer systems employ Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists) as technical and training assistants.
• Health Administration: With experience, Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists) grow to become supervisors of clinical laboratories. These positions often require additional courses in accounting, marketing, personnel management, planning and computers. Some Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists) obtain a Masters of Business Administration (MBA) or a Masters in Health Administration (MHA).
• Education: Some Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists) become teachers of new Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists). These positions often require a Masters Degree.

See all careers available to the Medical Laboratory Scientist (Medical Technologist): Careers in Clinical Lab Science

The Curriculum:

Medical Laboratory Scienctists (Medical Technologists) attain their professional skills through a baccalaureate (4 year) education with emphasis on the liberal arts and sciences and a clinical (12 month) internship in a hospital laboratory. The college is affiliated with several hospital-based approved Schools of Medical Laboratory Science which provide clinical training in the medical laboratory.

The affiliated programs are: School of Clinical Laboratory Science for the Reading Hospital and Medical Center, Lancaster General College, St. Christopher's Hospital and Pennsylvania Hospital.

Gwynedd-Mercy College has three routes for students to become Medical Laboratory Scientists (Medical Technologists):

• Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science: This is a 3 + 1 program where students spend three years or take approximately 90 credits on the college campus. The senior or final year of study is spent at an approved hospital-based School of Medical Laboratory Science. The senior year of study is 12 full months. At the completion of study, students receive a BS degree in Medical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) from Gwynedd-Mercy College and are eligible to sit for the major national certifying examinations.
• Biology/ Medical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology): This is a 4 + 1 program. Students complete and graduate with a BS in Biology. The fifth year is spent at a approved hospital-based School of Medical Laboratory Science. Students may take the final year of study independent of the college or choose to receive a second BS in Medical Laboratory Science. At the completion of the fifth year of study, students are eligible to sit for the major national certifying examinations.
• MLT to MLS Progression Program: Applicants to this program must have earned an Associate's degree in Medical Laboratory Science and become registered within one year of entering the program. Students complete the remainder of courses required for a Bachelor of Science degree and are required to apply to a hospital-based approved School of Medical Laboratory Technology. Students can make arrangements for accelerating hospital rotations directly with the hospital-based school. 

 *Some states require additional licensing examinations.

Links of Interest:

American Society of Clinical Pathologists:
www.ascp.org

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science:
www.naacls.org

American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science:
www.ascls.org

American Association of Blood Banks:
www.aabb.org

American Association for Clinical Chemistry:
www.aacc.org

American Society for Hematology:
www.hematology.org

American Society for Microbiology:
www.asmusa.org

MAJOR    

Medical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) Core 35 credits (Completed at a hospital-based School of Medical Laboratory Science)

All students must complete:

Natural Science and Mathematics – 43 credits

Requirement for students who possess an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology (3 credits)

Requirements for students who do not possess an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology (8 credits):

                       i  Or BIO 111 Microbiology/Lab

                       ii Or BIO 410 Genetics

GENERAL EDUCATION AND CORE CURRICULUM**

1. Skills for Exploring – 6 credits
2. Exploring Society and Global Diversity –12 credits
3. Exploring the Natural World, Mathematics and Technology – 9 credits
4. Exploring the Spiritual World –9 credits
5. Exploring the Arts and Imagination –9 credits

General Education Elective – 3 credits in History, Sociology, Psychology, Art, or Music

Open Electives - 30 credits (Only students with an associate degree in Medical Laboratory Technology complete 30 credits of open electives)

*Students transferring to Thomas Jefferson University must take 70 credits for 3+1 and 55 credits for 2+2.  All starred* courses plus 26 credits for 3+1. All starred* courses plus 11-12 credits for 2+2.

**Students transferring to Thomas Jefferson University take Math 142 (needs level 4 placement score).

***Please contact Jakita Price, 1-800-DIAL-GMC, X 511 or price.j@gmc.edu

in the Office of Admissions for specific general education course requirements.

Credit Requirement

A minimum of 126 credits is required this degree.

Grade Requirement
The minimum passing grade within the major is C (a grade of C- is not acceptable)