Medical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree
Use science to drive patient care. Shawnee State's NAACLS-accredited Medical Laboratory Technology A.A.S. prepares you to run the lab tests physicians rely on — and to sit for the ASCP MLT certification exam.
Program Overview
Discover how science drives patient care in Shawnee State University's Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology. In this in-demand MLT degree, you'll gain the skills and knowledge needed to become a certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) through hands-on training, expert faculty mentorship, and clinical experience that begins early in your academic journey.
Mission Statement
The mission of the Medical Laboratory Technology program is to educate and prepare students to become competent, responsible, and collaborative laboratory professionals in the ever-changing health care environment.
Career Outcomes
How to Apply
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Start your application
Free, takes about 15 minutes.
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Send transcripts
Have your high school guidance counselor send them to admissions@shawnee.edu
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Send Admissions your ACT/SAT scores
If you have a copy of your report, email it to admissions@shawnee.edu. Your high school counselor may also be able to include your ACT/SAT score on your transcript. You may also contact ACT or College Board to have your scores officially sent to Shawnee State. If you listed Shawnee State at the time that you took your test, we will receive your scores automatically.
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Submit the Selective Admission Application
Submit before the deadline to be considered.
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File the FAFSA
School code 009942. Required for Free Tuition.
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Get your decision
Most decisions in under 7 days.
At A Glance
Medical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree
Degree
A.A.S.
Format
On campus, full-time, cohort
Length
5 semesters (typically 2 years)
Class Size
12:1
Location
Main Campus, Health Sciences Building
Why Study Medical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree at Shawnee University
NAACLS-accredited curriculum that makes you eligible to sit for the Board of Certification (BOC) exam offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) — the credential most employers want.
Clinical practicums in affiliated medical laboratories, so you do real diagnostic work under licensed supervision before you graduate.
Small classes and direct mentorship from Program Director Jean McGlone and faculty who know the field.
Strong demand and steady salaries — MLTs are essential to hospitals, clinics, and reference labs.
Shawnee State is designated an Opportunity College by the Carnegie Foundation. Being one of the two public universities recognized as Opportunity Colleges in Ohio. Paired with one of the lowest tuition rates in the region.
The MLT curriculum is sequenced over five semesters of classroom instruction, on-campus lab work, and clinical practicums.
- Hematology
- Clinical chemistry
- Microbiology
- Immunohematology (blood banking)
- Urinalysis and serology
- Phlebotomy
- Clinical practicums in affiliated medical labs
Your final semester is built around clinical practicums in affiliated medical laboratories. Under the supervision of licensed professionals, you'll apply what you learned on campus to real diagnostic work — building the speed, accuracy, and judgment expected of an entry-level MLT.
By graduation, you'll be able to:
- Perform routine clinical laboratory tests accurately and efficiently
- Apply problem-solving and critical thinking in lab settings
- Follow professional and ethical standards in healthcare
- Communicate effectively with healthcare teams and patients
- Sit for the ASCP Medical Laboratory Technician certification exam
On campus in the Health Sciences Building, with clinical practicums at affiliated medical laboratories.
MLT graduates work in:
- Hospitals and medical centers
- Clinical and diagnostic reference laboratories
- Physician offices and urgent care clinics
- Public health agencies
- Biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies
Demand is strong and growing for credentialed MLTs across southern Ohio and the broader region.
- All students in the MLT program will be competent in areas of laboratory safety, bloodborne pathogens, HIPAA, hazardous communication, and other laboratory standards necessary to protect themselves and the patients they serve.
- Students completing the MLT Program will be able to demonstrate minimal/entry level competencies in all clinical areas of the medical laboratory to include: Hematology, Clinical Chemistry, Blood Banking, Microbiology, Urinalysis, Serology and Hemostasis
- Students graduating from the MLT Program will be prepared to gain employment and work independently in the laboratory with minimum orientation.
- Students will cultivate personal growth and demonstrate professional conduct and interpersonal communication.
- Students will continue their education beyond the completion of the Associate of Applied Science degree.
- The Program will meet the benchmarks established by NAACLS: Certification Rate, Graduation Rate, and Placement Rate.
Free Tuition and Financial Aid
Shawnee State's tuition is among the lowest in Ohio, and the Shawnee Advantage Tuition Guarantee keeps your rate flat for four years. Scholarships including Choose Ohio First and the Pell-Eligible Free Tuition Program may also apply.
See if you Qualify for Free Tuition
Ohio students can apply to receive a $1,500 scholarship up to full-tuition when you apply and are accepted.
Learn More about Choose Ohio FirstMedical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree Frequently Asked Questions
Five consecutive semesters — typically two academic years — including a final semester of clinical rotations.
Graduates work as Medical Laboratory Technicians in hospitals, reference labs, clinics, public health agencies, and pharma or biotech labs.
You'll need a 2.5+ cumulative GPA, high school or college Biology and Algebra with a C or better, an 18+ on the Natural Science portion of the ACT (waivable with relevant college coursework), and eligibility for ENGL 1101 and MATH 1200. After meeting requirements, you'll have a pre-admission interview with the program director.
Program handbook
Refer to the MLT Student Handbook (PDF) for policies, clinical expectations, and the course sequence. Course descriptions live in the Academic Catalog.
For more information, see the Policy & Procedure Manual (PDF)
Accreditation
The Medical Laboratory Technician Program is accredited by the: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
5600 N River Road, Suite 720 | Rosemont, IL 60018
www.naacls.org | (773) 714-8880
Shawnee State University is regionally accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC).
