Medical Laboratory Science

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Medical Laboratory Science degree provides education and training for employment in various medical, clinical and bioscience laboratories. Medical Laboratory Technicians (MLT's) perform technically precise laboratory procedures using quality assurance and process improvement knowledge in compliance with appropriate regulatory guidelines to ensure quality patient care, work safety, and medico-legal standards by conducting a variety of tests on various specimens submitted to medical and clinical laboratories. Students in the Medical Laboratory Science program may be exposed to potentially infectious blood tissues and body fluids. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Medical Laboratory Science is also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Medical Laboratory Science (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3028
Total credits required
71-83
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2023
Admissions criteria

High school diploma or GED equivalent.
Completion of Program Prerequisites.
Proof of current immunization: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), tuberculosis skin test (TB), varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, Hepatitis B vaccine (HEB), and Seasonal Flu vaccine.
Submit current CPR card for Health Care Provider and maintain current status throughout the practicum(s).
Complete and submit health declaration form signed by a licensed health care provider.
Submit to a drug screening and demonstrate negative results.
Ability to fully participate in classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting program activities.
A formal application and admission or readmission to the Medical Laboratory Science Program is required.
Application to the Medical Laboratory Science program can be obtained from a Health Professions Advisor, the Program Director, or via the Phoenix College Health Professions, Fitness and Wellness web site.

Background Check Requirements
Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check policy. Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.
Please note the additional GPA requirements in the Program Prerequisites area.

Completion of Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Phlebotomy courses within the last eight (8) years is required. Courses must be completed within eight (8) years as part of the degree completion for admission or readmission to the Medical Laboratory Science Program.

ASU courses may be taken concurrently.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Application of safety and government standards and compliance to the clinical/medical laboratory setting.
  2. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct in all medical laboratory practices.
  3. Implement quality assurance and quality control principles to the clinical/medical laboratory.
  4. Application of methodologies and techniques including problem solving and troubleshooting for the clinical/medical laboratory.
  5. Application of proper collection, processing, and analysis of biological specimens and other substances including reporting of results.
  6. Utilize computer applications of laboratory information systems and laboratory instrumentation in performing medical laboratory techniques.
  7. Communicate utilizing sufficient medical terminology to serve the public, patients and members of the healthcare team.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

$46,600

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Fall Semester (Term 1)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 1)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course PP or PP 3
MAT140 or
MAT141 or
MAT142 or
MAT145 or
MAT146
College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics or College Mathematics with Review or College Mathematics with Review Critical course Critical course MAT142 carries the MA Value.
Higher level Math course may be completed.
PP or PP or PP or PP or PP 3–6
BIO181 or
BIO181XT
General Biology (Majors) I or General Biology (Majors) I PP or PP 4
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking OR Equivalent as indicated by assessment PP 0–3
FYE101 or
FYE103
Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Spring Semester (Term 2)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 2)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG102 or
ENG108
First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL PP or PP 3
PLB109 and
PLB111
Phlebotomy: Basic Skills and Specimen Processing and Advanced Techniques in Phlebotomy Procedures OR
Verification of two years of employment as a clinical lab assistant, specimen processer, or phlebotomist
PP 0–4
BIO160 or
BIO201 or
BIO201XT
Introduction to Human Anatomy and Physiology or Human Anatomy and Physiology I or Human Anatomy and Physiology I PP or PP or PP 4
CHM130 and
CHM130LL
Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory OR
Satisfactory completion of higher-level chemistry course
SQ in combo w/ CHM130LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM130 4

Summer Semester (Term 3)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 3)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
BIO205 Microbiology PP 4
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230
Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication COM225 recommended for transfer [L] PP or PP or PP or PP 3

Fall Semester (Term 4)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 4)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MDL190 Clinical Laboratory Operations Program prerequisites are to be completed before application to program. Must be accepted into Program before MDL courses are taken. 2
HU Humanities, Fine Arts, and Design Recommend selecting a course that simultaneously satisfies one or more awareness area requirements of the AGEC-A PP 3
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences Recommend selecting a course that simultaneously satisfies one or more awareness area requirements of the AGEC-A PP 3

Spring Semester (Term 5)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 5)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MDL240 Clinical Urinalysis and Body Fluid Analysis 3
MDL242 Clinical Hematology and Hemostasis 6
MDL244 Clinical Immunohematology and Immunology 6

Summer Semester (Term 6)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 6)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MDL241 Practicum: Clinical Urinalysis and Body Fluid Analysis 1
MDL243 Practicum: Clinical Hematology and Hemostasis 1
MDL245 Practicum: Clinical Immunohematology and Immunology 1
MDL252 Clinical Preparation I 0.5

Fall Semester (Term 7)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 7)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MDL246 Clinical Microbiology 6
MDL248 Clinical Chemistry 6
MDL263 Clinical Preparation II 0.5

Term 8

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 8
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
MDL247 Practicum: Clinical Microbiology 1
MDL249 Practicum: Clinical Chemistry 1
MDL291 Medical Laboratory Science Program Capstone 1
Course Area Key

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

Disclaimer

Students must earn a grade of C or better for all courses required within the program.

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=178560).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.