Medical Laboratory Technology Curriculum
| Course Code | Title | Course Outlines | Goal Areas | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 course from BIOL1001, BIOL1101 | ||||
| BIOL 1001 | Biology I or | View-BIOL 1001 | n/a | 4 |
| BIOL 1101 | Principles of Biology I | View-BIOL 1101 | n/a | 4 |
| BIOL 1120 | Human Biology | View-BIOL 1120 | n/a | 3 |
| CHEM 1061 | Principles of Chemistry I | View-CHEM 1061 | n/a | 4 |
| CHEM 1062 | Principles of Chemistry II | View-CHEM 1062 | n/a | 4 |
| COMM 1110 | Principles of Interpersonal Communication | View-COMM 1110 | n/a | 3 |
| College Writing I | ||||
| ENGL 1200 | Gateway College Writing or | View-ENGL 1200 | n/a | 4 |
| ENGL 1201 | College Writing I | View-ENGL 1201 | n/a | 4 |
| MATH 1150 | College Algebra | View-MATH 1150 | n/a | 3 |
| PHIL 1020 | Ethics | View-PHIL 1020 | n/a | 3 |
Course Title: Biology I Goal Areas: 03 Credits: 4
Course Description: This course focuses on the concepts of biological chemistry, cell structure and function, cellular metabolism, molecular genetics and heredity reproduction and development. The course is intended for allied health majors and others not requiring a majors-level introductory biology. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab).
Course Title: Ethics Goal Areas: 06,09 Credits: 3
Course Description: This course will introduce students to both the methods and issues connected with thinking about morality and ethical systems. Moral skepticism will also be examined. The aim of this class is to allow students to be more aware of their own ethical modes of thinking and the diversity of ways morality enters into human lives.
Course Title: Principles of Chemistry I Goal Areas: 03 Credits: 4
Course Description: This course is a study of the basic concepts of Chemistry, with an emphasis on atomic theory, stoichiometric relationships, kinetic-molecular theory, molecular structure, and chemical bonding as related to the gas and liquid and solid phases. The lab portion with experiments includes observation, data collection, and mathematical applications that support the concepts being studied in class. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab) Placement in this class will be determined by student college assessment score and/or successful completion of Math 1150 with a grade of C or better.
Course Title: Principles of Chemistry II Goal Areas: 03 Credits: 4
Course Description: A continuation of CHEM 1061, this course emphasizes chemical equilibrium, solution chemistry, acid-base chemistry, precipitation reactions, complex ion formation, oxidation-reduction, and electrochemical reactions. The laboratory portion includes experimental applications of the lecture topics: determination of cation and anion (qualitative) content of unknown mixture, kinetics, acid-base equilibria, solubility, thermodynamics, electrochemistry, and an introduction to nuclear chemistry. CHEM 1061 is required for this course. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab)
Course Title: Principles of Biology I Goal Areas: 03 Credits: 4
Course Description: This is the first course in a two-semester biology sequence. This course introduces students to the concepts of cell structure and function, cellular metabolism, heredity and genetics. This course is intended for students for biological and physical science majors or those planning to enter a professional program. (3 hours lecture, 3 hours lab)
Course Title: Principles of Interpersonal Communication Goal Areas: 01,07 Credits: 3
Course Description: This introductory course looks at communication in one-to-one relationships in friendships, families, the workplace, and elsewhere. Students will be challenged to discover and assess their own communication strengths and weaknesses as they define and discuss what it means to be a competent interpersonal communicator. Course content includes both theory and practice (skill development).
Course Title: Human Biology Goal Areas: 03 Credits: 3
Course Description: This introductory level course provides students with a one semester overview of the structure and function of the human body. The course is open to all students: however, it does not fulfill the human anatomy and physiology requirement for those who are planning to pursue a career in the health sciences. This course fulfills the lab-like experience requirements for MnTC Goal Area 3.
Course Title: College Algebra Goal Areas: 04 Credits: 3
Course Description: This college-level course continues the study of algebra conducted in the developmental algebra courses. Topics include polynomial, rational, inverse, exponential, and logarithmic functions and their applications. Additional topics include systems of non-linear equations, systems of linear equations, and matrices. Prerequisites: College math placement level or successful completion of Math 0970 or 0980 with grade of C or better
Course Title: Gateway College Writing Goal Areas: 01 Credits: 4
Course Description: This class provides extended practice in critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. Students will develop an effective writing process and work to achieve college-level competence in reading and responding to texts, visuals, events, and ideas in a variety of written formats, with an emphasis on the academic essay. Audience awareness, interpretation and analysis, logical reasoning, and persuasive and argumentative skills will be developed. MLA style documentation of primary sources will be included.
Course Title: College Writing I Goal Areas: 01 Credits: 4
Course Description: This class provides extended practice in critical reading, writing, and thinking skills. Students will develop an effective writing process and work to achieve college-level competence in reading and responding to texts, visuals, events, and ideas in a variety of written formats, with an emphasis on the academic essay. Audience awareness, interpretation and analysis, logical reasoning, and persuasive and argumentative skills will be developed. MLA style documentation of primary sources will be included.
| Course Code | Title | Course Outlines | Goal Areas | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLT 1000 | Clinical Laboratory Basics | View-MLT 1000 | n/a | 1 |
| ALTH 1020 | Phlebotomy Technology | View-ALTH 1020 | n/a | 4 |
| MLT 1100 | Clinical Urinalysis/Body Fluids | View-MLT 1100 | n/a | 2 |
| MLT 1200 | Clinical Laboratory Instrumentation | View-MLT 1200 | n/a | 1 |
| MLT 1250 | Clinical Immunology | View-MLT 1250 | n/a | 2 |
| MLT 2050 | Clinical Hematology | View-MLT 2050 | n/a | 4 |
| MLT 2080 | Clinical Microbiology | View-MLT 2080 | n/a | 4 |
| MLT 2100 | Clinical Chemistry | View-MLT 2100 | n/a | 4 |
| MLT 2150 | Clinical Immunohematology | View-MLT 2150 | n/a | 3 |
Course Title: Clinical Laboratory Basics Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 1
Course Description: This course will introduce the student to the general role of the healthcare provider as well as the specific role of the Medical Laboratory Technician. Students will learn about and practice infection control and safety, medical terminology, healthcare ethics, venipuncture technique, specimen processing, and quality assurance. The course will run the first half of the fall semester and will meet once a week for 2 hours.
Course Title: Phlebotomy Technology Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 4
Course Description: In this course, you will learn about the role of the phlebotomist in healthcare and learn the skills necessary to obtain a job as phlebotomist. You will learn about the healthcare setting including basic medical terminology and human anatomy as it applies to the phlebotomist role. You will learn about and practice infection control and safety, healthcare ethics, blood collection procedures, special collection procedures, specimen processing, point-of-care testing, and quality assurance. This course will prepare you to perform the duties of a phlebotomist in a hospital and/or clinic setting.
Course Title: Clinical Urinalysis/Body Fluids Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 2
Course Description: This course will include lab skills such as pipetting, microscopy and centrifugation; review of the anatomy and physiology of the kidney, role of the kidney in disease; physical, chemical and microscopic properties of urine; and clinical correlation of lab results. Other body fluids and seminal fluid analysis will be reviewed in the lecture portion and laboratory portion. Prerequisite; Admission to the MLT program. Strongly Recommended; BIOL 1001 and BIOL 1120
Course Title: Clinical Laboratory Instrumentation Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 1
Course Description: This course will introduce the student to the basic operation and associated functions related to selected laboratory instruments and equipment. Students will learn and practice pipetting, laboratory mathematics, microscopy, dilutions, and quality control. The course will run the second half of the fall semester and will meet once a week for 2 hours.
Course Title: Clinical Immunology Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 2
Course Description: This course introduces students to the basic elements of the immune system and provides for application of the principles of immunology to immunologic techniques utilized in the clinical laboratory. Prerequisite: Admission to the MLT Program; MLT 1000 Clinical Laboratory Basics
Course Title: Clinical Hematology Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 4
Course Description: The course will include development, normal and abnormal characteristics of the cellular elements of the blood; the basic techniques and instrumentation utilized in the hematology laboratory; the theory and techniques of coagulation studies; and the clinical correlation of all procedures. This course will include development, normal and abnormal characteristics of the cellular elements of blood; the basic techniques and instrumentation utilized in the hematology laboratory; the theory and techniques of coagulation studies; and the clinical correlation of all procedures. Prerequisite; Admission to the MLT Program MLT 1000, 1100 and 1200
Course Title: Clinical Microbiology Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 4
Course Description: This course covers the isolation, identification, and significance of clinically associate bacteria, mycobacteria, fungi, and parasites. Prerequisite: Admission to the MLT Program and Biol 1001 or Biol 1101
Course Title: Clinical Chemistry Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 4
Course Description: This course introduces the basic principles, procedures, and correlations of the clinical chemistry laboratory. The theory of basic laboratory instrumentation and procedures will be discussed and practiced. Prerequisite: Admission to the MLT Program; MLT 1000 and 1200 and Chem 1062.
Course Title: Clinical Immunohematology Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 3
Course Description: This course will include principles of immunohematology and transfusion service procedures, including blood typing, antibody screening, compatibility testing, antibody identification, problem resolution, hemolytic disease of the newborn, and transfusion therapy. (two hours lecture, three hours lab) Prerequisite: Admission to the MLT Program; MLT 1250 and MLT 2050.
| Course Code | Title | Course Outlines | Goal Areas | Credits |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| MLT 2310 | Applied Phlebotomy | View-MLT 2310 | n/a | 1 |
| MLT 2320 | Applied Hematology | View-MLT 2320 | n/a | 2 |
| MLT 2330 | Applied Coagulation | View-MLT 2330 | n/a | 1 |
| MLT 2340 | Applied Urinalysis | View-MLT 2340 | n/a | 1 |
| MLT 2350 | Applied Microbiology | View-MLT 2350 | n/a | 2 |
| MLT 2360 | Applied Immunohematology | View-MLT 2360 | n/a | 2 |
| MLT 2380 | Applied Chemistry | View-MLT 2380 | n/a | 2 |
Course Title: Applied Phlebotomy Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 1
Course Description: The course provides the student with experience in phlebotomy skills. Prerequisite; Admission to the MLT Program; Completion of MLT Didactic Courses
Course Title: Applied Hematology Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 2
Course Description: This course is designed to give the student clinical experience in the area of hematology and body fluids. Prerequisite: Admission to the MLT Program. Completion of MLT Didactic Courses
Course Title: Applied Coagulation Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 1
Course Description: This course is designed to give the student clinical experience in the area of coagulation. Prerequisite: Admission to the MLT Program; Completion of MLT Didactic courses
Course Title: Applied Urinalysis Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 1
Course Description: This course is designed to give the student clinical experience in the area of urinalysis. Prerequisite: Admission to the MLT Program; Completion of MLT Didactic Courses
Course Title: Applied Microbiology Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 2
Course Description: The course is designed to give the student clinical experience in the area of microbiology. Prerequisite: Admission to the MLT Program; Completion of MLT Didactic Courses
Course Title: Applied Immunohematology Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 2
Course Description: This course is the application of immunohematology policies and procedures in the clinical transfusion service setting. Students will perform pretransfusion compatibility testing in accordance with the American Association of Blood Bank Standards. Prerequisite: Admission to the MLT Program; Completion of MLT Didactic Courses
Course Title: Applied Chemistry Goal Areas: n/a Credits: 2
Course Description: The course provides the student with experience in the clinical chemistry laboratory as well as study in the theory and principles involved. Prerequisite: Completion of MLT Didactic Courses
| 15 Credits must be earned at NHCC |
| Total Credits Required | 60 |
| Notes Day or evening option for MLT didactic courses. The program concludes with a clinical component that is only offered on the day shift. | |
2022-2023
The North Hennepin Community College Associate of Applied Science Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) Program is designed to prepare students for a career in the medical laboratory. Medical Laboratory Technology is a rewarding, dynamic, and in demand career with many opportunities for growth. By performing testing on blood and body fluids using highly specialized skills and complex instrumentation, MLTs provide information that is vital to both diagnosing and treating disease. In fact, over 70% of all health care decisions are made based on laboratory results.
Through NHCC's MLT program, students will gain both knowledge and hands-on experience, making them highly desirable employees. Coursework includes theory in phlebotomy, urinalysis, clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, microbiology, and immunohematology. Practical experience will be gained in student laboratories at NHCC and through a 19week clinical experience during the program's final semester. Upon completion of the program, students will be eligible to sit for the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification Exam.
All on campus MLT courses are offered in both day and evening formats. However, in the final semester students are required to participate in clinical rotations, which are only offered during the day Monday-Friday. Admission into the MLT Program requires a separate application and entrance exam. The selection process is competitive, and the college may not be able to accept all applicants that meet the minimum standards. MLT application deadline is March 1st for the fall semester start.
The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology is designed to articulate to: Saint Cloud State University B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science degree
Completion of current Minnesota Human Services Background Check including fingerprints. If an applicant has been arrested, charged, or convicted of any criminal offense, he or she should investigate the impact that the charge or conviction may have on his or her chances of employment and the students chances to obtain federal, state, and other higher education financial aid (by Minnesota Statute 135A. 157). If the applicant refuses, or is disqualified because of the background study, the applicant will be unable to successfully complete the requirements of the program.
Knowledge of Human Cultures and the Physical and Natural World:
- Develop entry level medical laboratory technology skills in a clinical setting to prepare them for the workplace.
Intellectual and Practical Skills:
- Develop and demonstrate professionalism and concern for the customer.
- Develop competence in the theoretical knowledge and technical skills necessary for proficient performance of clinical laboratory procedures.
- Utilize effective interpersonal communication skills with customers and coworkers.
- Utilize effective written communication skills appropriate for the professional setting.
- Develop competence in the theoretical knowledge necessary to prepare for the national certification examination of the profession.
Personal and Social Responsibility and Engagement:
- Value participation in continuous professional development.
- Develop awareness of the role and responsibilities of the medical laboratory technician as a member of the health care team.
Integrative and Applied Learning:
- Apply critical thinking skills to correlating laboratory findings and common disease processes.
- Apply critical thinking skills to learning new techniques and procedures.
Upon successful completion of the program, the student will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination.
Upon successful completion of the program, students may be eligible to transfer to the B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science program at St. Cloud State University.
70% Graduation Rate (This is calculated based on students who began and completed the second half of the program.)
75% Board of Certification Pass Rate (This is calculated based on students who completed their exam within 1 year of graduation.)
70% Job Placement Rate (This is based on graduates that either entered the field or continued with higher education in the field.)
MLT outcomes for our program at NHCC are listed below. The BOC pass rates, and job placement rates, reflect students that graduated during the specified period of time:
| 7/1/18 – 6/30/19 | 7/1/19 – 6/30/20 | *7/1/20 – 6/30/21 | Average | |
| Graduation Rates | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| Board of Certification pass rates | 100% | 100% | 86% | 94% |
| Job placement rates | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100% |
*Students have until 7/1/22 to complete their certification exam successfully. These numbers may change as the remaining students sit for the exam.
Information on careers, including salary and employment outlook data, is available on the iseek and Bureau of Labor Statistics websites: www.iseek.org and www.bls.gov.
If you are planning on transferring to another institution, follow the guidelines available on our transfer resources web page to help you plan the process: Transfer Information
The Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree is intended for those students who plan to use the competence gained through their degree for immediate employment or enhancing current career skills. The A.A.S. degree includes a minimum of 20 semester credits in general education selected from at least three of the ten goal areas of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC). The MnTC courses within the A.A.S. programs transfer to any Minnesota State College or University. Many of the A.A.S. degree programs have articulation agreements with four year institutions for transfer of the program.
A student shall:
- Earn a minimum of 6071 semester credits as required in the program with a grade point average of 2.00 (C) or above in courses taken at North Hennepin Community College. Specific programs may have additional requirements or a higher minimum grade point average.
- Earn a minimum of 15 semester credits at North Hennepin Community College.
- Earn 20 credits in at least 3 MnTC goal areas
Completion of an A.A.S. degree fulfills the Goal Area 2 requirement of the Minnesota Transfer Curriculum (MnTC).
Developmental Courses
Some students may need preparatory course(s) in Math and/or English. Courses numbered below 1000 will not apply toward a degree.
Equal Opportunity Employer and Disability Access Information
North Hennepin Community College is a member of Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system and an equal opportunity employer and educator. This document is available in alternative formats to individuals with disabilities by calling 7634930555 or through the Minnesota Relay Service at 18006273529.
North Hennepin Community College is accredited by the:
Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
30 N. LaSalle Street, Suite 2400
Chicago, IL 60602-2504
1-800-621-7440
Program Accreditation
This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS):
NAACLS
5600 N River Road, Suite 720
Rosemount, IL 60018-5119
Telephone: 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
E-mail: info@naacls.org
Website: www.naacls.org
Career Outlook
The Medical Laboratory Technology AAS degree prepares graduates for an entry-level career in healthcare. Medical Lab Technicians (MLTs) are in-demand and play an essential role in hospital and clinic settings. MLTs perform routine laboratory tests to diagnose, treat, and prevent diseases. They may work under the supervision of a Medical Laboratory Technologist.
National Projected Job Growth Rate: 10.6% (2018-2028)
Median Hourly Wage in Minnesota: $27.51
Job Title Examples: Laboratory Technician, Non-Registered Technician, Cytotechnologist
Program Details
All on campus MLT courses are offered in both day and evening formats. However, in the final semester students are required to participate in clinical rotations, which are only offered during the day Monday-Friday. Admission into the MLT Program requires a separate application and entrance exam. The selection process is competitive, and the college may not be able to accept all applicants that meet the minimum standards. MLT application deadline is March 1st for the fall semester start.
The Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology is designed to articulate to:
- Saint Cloud State University B.S. in Medical Laboratory Science degree
Background Check
Completion of current Minnesota Human Services Background Check including fingerprints. If an applicant has been arrested, charged or convicted of any criminal offense, he or she should investigate the impact that the charge or conviction may have on his or her chances of employment and the chances to obtain federal, state and other higher education financial aid ( by Minnesota Statute 135A. 157). If the applicant refuses, or is disqualified as a result of the background study, the applicant will be unable to successfully complete the requirements of the program.
Medical Laboratory Technology Faculty
Andrew LeMay
Andrew teaches Medical Laboratory Technology and Phlebotomy at NHCC.
Ashley Martin
Ashley teaches Medical Laboratory Technology and Phlebotomy at NHCC.
Get Started
If you're ready to get started, apply to NHCC. If you'd like to learn more, you can visit campus or request information.
