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What should I major in to become a Medical Laboratory Technician
I would like to be a Medical Laboratory Technician but I am not sure what to major in or what college offers this.
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Doc’s Answer
EDUCATIONAL REQUIREMENTS
It’s recommended that medical lab technicians earn at least an ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE in a program that includes clinical rotations or at least six months of lab experience. A BACHELOR'S or MASTER'S DEGREE is preferable, particularly for those who wish to move up within the lab. Relevant bachelor’s degrees may include a bachelor’s in healthcare administration or health and human services. Those seeking a master’s degree might opt for a master’s of healthcare administration or an MBA in healthcare management.
CERTIFICATION COMPLETION
Most employers require lab techs to be certified. Certifications can be earned through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification or the American Medical Technologists Organization. The ASCP certification is more widely recognized and highly regarded in the field.
RECOMMEND EXPERIENCE:
The more experience you gain in the lab, the greater chance you’ll have to progress in your career. Spending time in the laboratory after earning a degree can help you reach your career goals.
It’s recommended that medical lab technicians earn at least an ASSOCIATE'S DEGREE in a program that includes clinical rotations or at least six months of lab experience. A BACHELOR'S or MASTER'S DEGREE is preferable, particularly for those who wish to move up within the lab. Relevant bachelor’s degrees may include a bachelor’s in healthcare administration or health and human services. Those seeking a master’s degree might opt for a master’s of healthcare administration or an MBA in healthcare management.
CERTIFICATION COMPLETION
Most employers require lab techs to be certified. Certifications can be earned through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification or the American Medical Technologists Organization. The ASCP certification is more widely recognized and highly regarded in the field.
RECOMMEND EXPERIENCE:
The more experience you gain in the lab, the greater chance you’ll have to progress in your career. Spending time in the laboratory after earning a degree can help you reach your career goals.

James Constantine Frangos
Consultant Dietitian-Nutritionist & Software Developer since 1972 🡆 Optimization Of Human Performance
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James Constantine’s Answer
Good Day Briana!
What to Major in to Become a Medical Laboratory Technician
To become a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), you typically need to pursue an associate degree in a relevant field. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps and considerations involved:
1. Educational Requirements:
Associate Degree: Most MLTs hold an associate degree in medical laboratory technology or a closely related field. This program usually takes about two years to complete and includes both classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experience.
Relevant Coursework: The curriculum generally covers subjects such as:
Clinical chemistry
Hematology
Microbiology
Immunology
Blood banking
Laboratory management and safety
2. Accreditation:
It is crucial to choose a program that is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Accreditation ensures that the program meets specific educational standards necessary for preparing students for certification.
3. Certification:
After completing your degree, obtaining certification is often required or preferred by employers. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offers certification exams for MLTs. To be eligible, candidates must have graduated from an accredited program.
4. Colleges Offering Relevant Programs:
Many community colleges and universities offer programs in medical laboratory technology. Some notable institutions include:
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Offers a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.
South Louisiana Community College: Provides an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans: Offers programs related to clinical laboratory sciences.
5. Additional Considerations:
Internships/Clinical Experience: Many programs include clinical rotations where students gain practical experience in real-world lab settings, which is invaluable for job readiness.
Continuing Education: Once employed, MLTs may need to engage in continuing education to maintain their certification and stay updated with advancements in laboratory technology.
In summary, pursuing an associate degree in medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution is the most direct path to becoming a Medical Laboratory Technician.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP): A leading organization that provides information on certification requirements and resources for medical laboratory professionals.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS): This agency accredits educational programs in clinical laboratory science, ensuring they meet high standards of quality.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Provides comprehensive data on job outlook, salary expectations, and educational requirements for various occupations, including medical laboratory technicians.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
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|======================James Constantine Frangos==========================|
|============THE LITTLE OLD AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN================|
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What to Major in to Become a Medical Laboratory Technician
To become a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT), you typically need to pursue an associate degree in a relevant field. Here’s a detailed breakdown of the steps and considerations involved:
1. Educational Requirements:
Associate Degree: Most MLTs hold an associate degree in medical laboratory technology or a closely related field. This program usually takes about two years to complete and includes both classroom instruction and hands-on laboratory experience.
Relevant Coursework: The curriculum generally covers subjects such as:
Clinical chemistry
Hematology
Microbiology
Immunology
Blood banking
Laboratory management and safety
2. Accreditation:
It is crucial to choose a program that is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Accreditation ensures that the program meets specific educational standards necessary for preparing students for certification.
3. Certification:
After completing your degree, obtaining certification is often required or preferred by employers. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) offers certification exams for MLTs. To be eligible, candidates must have graduated from an accredited program.
4. Colleges Offering Relevant Programs:
Many community colleges and universities offer programs in medical laboratory technology. Some notable institutions include:
University of Louisiana at Lafayette: Offers a Bachelor of Science in Medical Laboratory Science.
South Louisiana Community College: Provides an Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology.
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center New Orleans: Offers programs related to clinical laboratory sciences.
5. Additional Considerations:
Internships/Clinical Experience: Many programs include clinical rotations where students gain practical experience in real-world lab settings, which is invaluable for job readiness.
Continuing Education: Once employed, MLTs may need to engage in continuing education to maintain their certification and stay updated with advancements in laboratory technology.
In summary, pursuing an associate degree in medical laboratory technology from an accredited institution is the most direct path to becoming a Medical Laboratory Technician.
Top 3 Authoritative Sources Used:
American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP): A leading organization that provides information on certification requirements and resources for medical laboratory professionals.
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS): This agency accredits educational programs in clinical laboratory science, ensuring they meet high standards of quality.
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS): Provides comprehensive data on job outlook, salary expectations, and educational requirements for various occupations, including medical laboratory technicians.
Probability the answer is correct: 95%
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|========================God Bless You, Richly!============================|
|======================James Constantine Frangos==========================|
|============THE LITTLE OLD AUSTRALIAN OUTBACK DIETITIAN================|
|===========Programming For Your Nutrition Education ~ Since 1972!===============|
✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯✯
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Briana !
I would be happy to give you some advice for what to major in at college if you want to become a Lab Technician ! That is such a fabulous career interest !
This career is connected to the sciences, so you would choose a major that would help you become familiar with the job duties that lab technicians do. You would need an Associates Degree in Laboratory Technology, such as the program that is offered at FORTIS College in Baton Rouge. Although you could major in Chemistry, I think you'd have a better chance in the labor market if you go for the Associates Degree in Laboratory Technology because that path would be more applicable for your career.
As for being certified, I highly suggest going for certification as a Lab Tech. It's not required in all states, however, it will put you in the forefront and your Certification will be portable - accepted in every state in case you move out of state. It's highly recommended by me to obtain this certification. This nationally recognized Certification is given by The American Society for Clinical Pathology. You can visit their website online for more information.
If you are not able to enroll at FORTIS College where they offer the program, you can explore nearby colleges to see which one offers this major for an Associates Degree. Look on the website of South Louisiana Community College to see if they offer the Lab Tech Degree. Also look into the two year colleges in Baton Rouge, namely Remington College and Virginia College. It may be important to have the degree in Lab Tech once you start applying for career jobs.
So for the remainder of time you have in high school, take a lot of Chemistry, Biology and any science that gives you Lab experience.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
I would be happy to give you some advice for what to major in at college if you want to become a Lab Technician ! That is such a fabulous career interest !
This career is connected to the sciences, so you would choose a major that would help you become familiar with the job duties that lab technicians do. You would need an Associates Degree in Laboratory Technology, such as the program that is offered at FORTIS College in Baton Rouge. Although you could major in Chemistry, I think you'd have a better chance in the labor market if you go for the Associates Degree in Laboratory Technology because that path would be more applicable for your career.
As for being certified, I highly suggest going for certification as a Lab Tech. It's not required in all states, however, it will put you in the forefront and your Certification will be portable - accepted in every state in case you move out of state. It's highly recommended by me to obtain this certification. This nationally recognized Certification is given by The American Society for Clinical Pathology. You can visit their website online for more information.
If you are not able to enroll at FORTIS College where they offer the program, you can explore nearby colleges to see which one offers this major for an Associates Degree. Look on the website of South Louisiana Community College to see if they offer the Lab Tech Degree. Also look into the two year colleges in Baton Rouge, namely Remington College and Virginia College. It may be important to have the degree in Lab Tech once you start applying for career jobs.
So for the remainder of time you have in high school, take a lot of Chemistry, Biology and any science that gives you Lab experience.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Updated
WILLIAM’s Answer
MY son went to technical college for AAS(biology) it was almost free then transfer to a university Finnish Chemistry Degree then 3 months getting a certification for Clinical laboratory all in 4 yrs and 3 months with a complete dedication to yours studies and Focus. My son after one year he got a promotion. Good luck kid!
AAS(biology) then transfer
Chemistry Degree
3 moth certification in Medical Laboratory Technician
WILLIAM recommends the following next steps:
Updated
Sylvia’s Answer
I am a Medical Laboratory Scientist and I can tell you that you have made a great choice. However, choice of school should be based on your country. Just make sure that the schools are accredited by the professional body. Then you can choose any of the the specialties as they are all important and great. I wish you all the best!