PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Prepare for a rewarding career as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) at Ozarks Tech! MLTs play a crucial role in healthcare. They perform tests on blood, tissue and other fluids. These tests help doctors make diagnoses and guide treatment plans. In our program, you will learn essential skills like handling fluids, analyzing medical data and collecting blood from patients. You will also gain hands on experience in local medical facilities. There, you will have a chance to practice your learning in a real-life setting. MLTs have many job prospects. You can find work in hospital labs, research facilities, blood centers and more. You can even work in medical equipment sales and technical support. This program requires a separate application in addition to the application for general admission to Ozarks Tech. View application details.
The Medical Laboratory Technician Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.
Program Contact
Dr. Danyel Anderson
Medical Laboratory Technician
Program Director
417-447-7420
Accreditations and Outcomes
Accreditation
The Medical Laboratory Technician Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) 5600 N. River Road Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (773) 714-8880 www.naacls.org
OTC is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org), an accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education. Our current accreditation status with the HLC is displayed on the page linked below. Our next comprehensive evaluation will be in 2030-2031. View more information on OTC accreditation.
Mission Statement
Ozarks Technical Community College’s Medical Laboratory Technician Program has a primary mission of delivering technical, high-quality, and affordable clinical laboratory training that will open opportunities to our students and meet the workforce needs of our surrounding communities.
Program Outcomes
Admissions
Admission to Ozarks Technical Community College is open to all individuals who can benefit from its educational programs. A focus of the college mission is on the academic, career and personal goals of the student. OTC may admit you as a First-Time student just completing their high school, GED or HiSET requirements or as a Transfer student coming from another institution finishing up a certificate or degree. For more information, visit OTC Admissions.
Wondering how you’re going to pay for college? At OTC, we believe that cost shouldn’t be a barrier to earning a degree. Our staff will work with you to make a financial plan. To browse the resources available to you, see paying for college.
Transfer Information
At Ozarks Tech, we want your transfer process to be easy. We accomplish this goal through articulation agreements. These agreements are an official partnership to match coursework between schools. This gives you a more seamless transition from Ozarks Tech to a four-year institution.
We have established an agreement for this program. This will simplify the transfer of your credits to partner schools. To understand how this degree will transfer, review the current articulation agreements. Be sure to consult with your transfer school to ensure you’re on the right path toward completing your four-year degree.
COSTS & OPTIONS
CREDENTIAL TYPE |
PROGRAM |
FOR THOSE WHO WANT TO: |
LENGTH OF PROGRAM |
COST* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Associate of Applied Science |
Medical Laboratory Technician |
|
73 credit hours |
$15,224.00* |
|
Short-Term Training |
Learn More |
Accelerate your career with OTC's short-term training courses. Gain valuable skills in as little as just weeks and unlock new opportunities for success. View courses. |
Learn More |
Varies by course |
Not Sure Which Career is Right for You?
PROGRAM DETAILS
Clicking on the options below will provide overview information, course sequences (when applicable), and specific course descriptions. To see a full catalog of all the offerings at OTC, visit catalog.otc.edu.
Medical Laboratory Technician (A.A.S.)
Medical Laboratory Technician (A.A.S.)
Program Description
A.A.S. Degree: 73 Hours
Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) is a two-year Associate of Applied Science degree designed to prepare individuals for clinical laboratory employment. A medical laboratory technician performs a wide variety of medical laboratory tests on blood, urine and other bodily fluids that assist physicians in making diagnostic and therapeutic decisions. In addition to employment in hospital and clinical laboratories, graduates can pursue positions in research, blood centers, medical equipment sales and technical support. The program will include clinical experience in area medical facilities along with the classroom and laboratory education provided on campus. A grade of "C" or better is required for all MLT Program required courses.
The job opportunities for MLTs are excellent, both nationally and locally, as the number of job openings currently exceeds the number of qualified job seekers. The program will begin in June with an application deadline of February 15. Contact the Health Sciences office or visit the website otc.edu/healthsciences for an application packet. National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences, 5600 N. River Road Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 (773) 714-8880 https://www.naacls.org/
Pre-Admission Requirements - 34 Credit Hours
- BCS-165 Human Anatomy*
- BCS-200 Microbiology
- BCS-205 Human Physiology*
- CHM-101 Introductory Chemistry (or higher)
- COM-100 Introduction to Communication (or higher)
- MLT-100 Introduction to the Medical Laboratory (Spring semester only) 1
- MTH-128 Contemporary Mathematics (or higher)*
- PLB-100 Introduction to Phlebotomy (Spring semester only)1
- PLS-101 American Government and Politics
or HST 120 U.S. History I: to 1865 or HST 130 U.S. History II: 1865-Present
- PSY-110 Introduction to Psychology (or Social Science Elective)
- PLS-101 American Government and Politics
Note:
* Please contact the Allied Health Admissions Office if:
- you have taken MTH 110 prior to the fall 2018 semester
- you have previously taken BCS 145 and BCS 146
Medical Laboratory Program Requirements - 39 Credit Hours
Note:
* Please contact the Allied Health Admissions Office if:
- you have taken MTH 110 prior to the fall 2018 semester
- you have previously taken BCS 145 and BCS 146
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*Notices and Disclaimers
*Costs displayed are based on current tuition and fee rates for the program’s required credit hours, as approved by the OTC Board of Trustees, and are subject to change without notice. Estimates reflect both in-district and out-of-district residency rates. Actual costs, degree completion time, and credit requirements may vary based on residency, prior credits, elective courses, program updates, and enrollment factors. For additional information on attendance costs, visit Cost of Attendance, tuition and fees or contact us at 417-447-6900.
**Graduation rates vary by individual. For details on program enrollment, retention, exam/certification, and employment rates, visit Student Outcomes / Student Right-to-Know. Some careers on this list may require additional education and training. For program-specific accreditation visit OTC Accreditation.