CIP Code = 511005
Program Information
Medical technologists (medical laboratory scientists) are clinical specialists who design, perform, evaluate, and supervise biological, chemical, and other clinically related tests. Job opportunities for these specialists exist in hospitals, clinics, research facilities, government agencies, educational institutions, and industries.
Graduates of the program in Medical Laboratory Science are required to complete 120 semester hours of specified course work, which includes one calendar year (32 semester hours) of professional course work in an accredited clinical training program affiliated with Louisiana Tech University. These programs are located in metropolitan areas throughout the region and provide “hands on” training. Affiliated clinical training programs are located at Lake Charles Memorial Medical Center, Lake Charles, LA; Rapides Regional Medical Center, Alexandria, LA; Veterans Administration Medical Center, Shreveport, LA; Baptist Health College, Little Rock, AR; and Baylor Scott and White Health, Temple, TX. The affiliated clinical training programs are all accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
During the third quarter of the sophomore year, students are counseled as to their progress toward meeting the minimum academic requirements for admission to the professional education component. This evaluation is based on the student’s progress in completing all required pre-professional courses, a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.7, no grade less than “C” in BISC or CLAB courses, and the recommendation of the program faculty.
Students who meet the criteria listed above are allowed to complete the formal application process to professional training sites. Applications should be completed by the appropriate published deadline during the junior year. Applicants are admitted to the professional programs on a competitive basis by using both academic and non-academic criteria. Admission decisions are made by the Admissions Committee at each site. Applicants are informed of the decision of the Admissions Committee by the third quarter of the junior year. Students who are not selected for admission are counseled as to their deficiencies and of appropriate remedial action or alternative career opportunities.
Students who are accepted into the professional program enroll in courses chosen by the student and the Program Coordinator. On-campus registration for these students is coordinated with campus faculty with appropriate fees paid by the student at the time of registration. The student must comply with all University policies and the policies of the clinical affiliate. These policies are stated in the bulletin or the program brochure of each clinical site. Students must maintain a grade of “C” or better in all clinical courses. Students who fail to follow these policies are dropped from the program. On-site living expenses are the responsibility of the student. University financial aid (loans, grants, scholarships) is available to students during clinical training.
To qualify for graduation, a grade of “C” or better must be obtained in all BISC and CLAB courses. After completion of professional education, the student is awarded the BS degree and is eligible for professional certification, which is achieved by passing a nationally recognized registry examination.
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