The Associate of Applied Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) will prepare students for a career as a Medical Laboratory Technician. Students are able to apply to our MLT program while finishing their last semester of high school to ensure a smooth and easy transition into university coursework. The MLT program contains two parts; the first part involving taking the basic prerequisite courses at Tarleton State University, or any other approved college, followed by a hands-on technical portion which takes place at the Fort Worth campus. During this 15-month technical portion, students will be trained to collect samples and perform tests to analyze bodily fluids, tissue, and other substances. These courses will comprise the certification portion of the degree plan.
Our department faculty members are certified Medical Laboratory Technicians with advanced degrees and/or specialty certifications, and have various clinical experiences that offer a broad academic presentation. Additionally, our staff is assisted by pathologists and medical laboratory scientists from several affiliated clinical laboratories.
Acceptance to the MLT program is on a competitive basis. Students must successfully complete prerequisites prior to entering the technical portion of the program.
Upon successful program completion, students will be eligible for the National Certification Exam provide by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). After passing the exam, students will then become certified Medical Laboratory Technicians
This program provide students with the opportunity to gain hands-on experience by working in hospitals, which often leads to employment in the area where they complete their training. There is a growing need for certified Medical Laboratory Technicians, which is why our MLT graduates quickly find employment in a variety of fields, including both rural and urban hospital settings, reference laboratories, physicians’ offices, and much more.
Clinical Practice
Students in the Medical Laboratory Science program can get real-world experience through a number of affiliated hospitals that allow students to get clinical practice done within their facilities. Some of the affiliated hospitals include:
Texas Health Resources: Arlington Memorial Hospital
HCA Las Colinas Medical Center
HCA North Texas
Methodist Mansfield Medical Center
Baylor Medical Center at Irving
Palo Pinto Medical Center
Weatherford Regional Medical Center
Glen Rose Medical Center
Facilities
The Richard C. Schaffer Educational Building, located in the central hospital district in Fort Worth, consists of three lecture rooms, six laboratories, a computer lab, and a library. Laboratories housed in the Schaffer Building include:
Hematology, hemostasis and urinalysis/body fluids
Chemistry
Immunohematology and immunology/serology
Microbiology/parasitology /mycology
Histology
Molecular diagnostics: Amplification, pre-amplification/nucleic acid extraction, NGS
Protein laboratory: Blotting techniques
Consortium Colleges
Colleges from which prerequisite courses are currently being accepted from include, but are not limited to:
Cisco Junior College
Hill College
North Central Texas College
Ranger College
Tarrant County College
Vernon College
Weatherford College
Career Outcomes
Lab Director
Lab Data Analyst
Supervisor
Technician
Certification and Licensure Preparation
Get Certified
Our Medical Laboratory Technology program prepares you for the American Society for Clinical Pathology Certification Exam. Students who successfully complete this program will be eligible to become a certified Medical Laboratory Technician. Visit the ASCP website.
