Medical Laboratory Technician

Advancing Cures from Behind the Scenes

Our Medical Laboratory Technician program will prepare you with the skills you need to test blood and other bodily fluids for the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease. You will learn how to use laboratory instruments and computers, collect and process specimens, and work as part of a health care team. As you progress through the program, you will receive lab training and classroom study, supervised time in hospitals and health care settings, and preparation to take a national exam for certification accepted throughout the United States. By graduating with this degree, you will be eligible to take the MLT (Medical Laboratory Technician) ASCP Board of Certification Exam.

Join us for an Information Session

Join us for an information session to learn more about the Medical Laboratory Technician program, how to apply to the program, and what careers you can pursue with a Medical Laboratory Technician degree: June 20 from 12 to 12:30 p.m. and September 7 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m. RSVP for an information session. Can't make it to an information session? Watch a recording to learn more.

Apply to the Medical Laboratory Technician Program

 

Career Options

Careers

Find your path.

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician – est. salary $68,589*
Medical Equipment Preparers – est. salary $45,802
Veterinary Technologists and Technicians – est. salary $41,933

 

*EMSI Data, 2022; Philadelphia County, PA; a percentage of people in these jobs may have a bachelor's degree or higher.
map animation where the the Community College of Philadelphia is centered, the map zooms out to show the surrounding counties highlighted representing the areas of job and career growth.
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Transfer Opportunities

Videos & Multimedia

Medical Laboratory Technician student inserting needle into patent during CCP clinical training.
CCP student inserting needle in clinic.
Equipment in lab at CCP.
Student working with equipment in CCP lab.
CCP student learning about medical equipment in lab.
CCP student working in a lab.
Medical Laboratory Technician student standing by CCP medical equipment.
Medical Laboratory Technician student looking in microscope in CCP lab.

Courses and Completion Sequence

The following courses and sequence of courses is designed for the optimal success and completion of the Medical Laboratory Technician degree/certificate. Any alterations should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Semester 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 101 - English Composition I or
ENGL 101H - English Composition I (Honors)		 3 credits Must earn a grade of "C" or better to register for ENGL 102

Writing, Research, Info Lit 1
CHEM 110 - Introductory Chemistry or
CHEM 121 - College Chemistry I		 4 credits Must earn a grade of "C" or better.
CHEM 121 is recommended for students planning to transfer into a bachelor's degree program.
Must earn a grade of "C" or better to be considered for a select program.

Scientific Reasoning
FNMT 118 - Intermediate Algebra   Meet with an advisor to determine if you should take a higher level math course

Quantitative Reasoning
BIOL 108 - Essentials of Human Anatomy and Physiology or 
BIOL 109 and BIOL 110 Anatomy and Physiology		   Option to take BIOL 108 or BIOL 109 for MLT program. Must receive a grade of "C" or better.

Students in this program must take either BIOL 108 or both BIOL 109 & BIOL 110. Students who choose the two-semester 109 & 110 sequence should take BIOL 241 in the summer between the second and third semester. Must earn a grade of "C" or better. Students who have completed BIOL 109 and BIOL 110 earning a grade of "C" or better do not have to take BIOL 108.

Students are recommended for students to take BIOL 109 and BIOL 110 if planning to transfer for a bachelor's degree. Prerequisites for BIOL 109: BIOL 106 or high school biology and chemistry within 10 years

For BIOL 110: BIOL 109 with a of "C" or better		 Major Course
MLT 102 - Phlebotomy   Must earn a grade of "C" or better. Math placement of FNMT 017. Co-requisite for MLT 155.  
  • This program is designed to provide students with the option of entering the workforce or transferring to a bachelor's degree program after earning their associate's degree
  • Follow this course schedule each semester and you’ll earn your associate’s degree in two years
  • Make sure you discuss your first semester schedule and your educational plan with an advisor or counselor when you register.

Semester 2

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 102 - The Research Paper or
ENGL 102H - The Research Paper (Honors)		 3 credits Must earn a grade of "C" or better. Prerequisite: ENGL 101 with grade of "C" or better. Writing, Research, Info Lit 2
CIS 103 - Introduction to Information Technology 3 credits Students must earn a grade of "C" or better demonstrating they have met minimum requirements of course. Technology Competency
MLT 155 - Clinical Hematology 4 credits Must earn a grade of "C" or better. Prerequisite for MLT 205.
Prerequisites: BIOL 108 or BIOL 110, which may be taken concurrently; MLT 102 may be taken concurrently.		 *MLT 155
BIOL 241 - Principles of Microbiology 4 credits Must earn a grade of "C" or better in the course. Prerequisite for MLT 205
Prerequisites: BIOL 106 or BIOL 108; BIOL 109 or BIOL 123 with a grade of "C" or better.		 Major Course
CHEM 118 - Introduction to Biochemistry  or 
CHEM 122 - College Chemistry II		 4 credits Prerequisites for CHEM 118: CHEM 101, CHEM 110 or CHEM 121 with a grade of "C" or better.
CHEM 122 is recommended for students planning to transfer into a bachelor's degree program.
Prerequisites for CHEM 122: CHEM 110 with a "C" or better and FNMT 118 and CHEM 121 with grade of "C" or better		 Major Course

Summer 1

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
MLT 205 - Immunohematology and Immunology 4 credits Must earn a grade of "C" or better. Prerequisite for MLT 225 and MLT 245
Students must complete this course in their first summer session, as it is a prerequisite to MLT 225 and MLT 245.
Prerequisites: BIOL 108 or BIOL 109 and BIOL 110 and MLT 155 		 Major Course

Semester 3

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
SOC 101 - Introduction to Sociology or
SOC 101H - Introduction to Sociology (Honors) 		 3 credits Most transfer institutions require a sociology course.

Cultural Analysis & Interpretation
MLT 225 - Clinical Chemistry 4 credits Must earn a grade of "C" or better. Prerequisite course for MLT 265 and MLT 295.
Prerequisites: BIOL 108 or BIOL 110 FNMT 118 CHEM 110 and CHEM 118 or CHEM 121 and CHEM 122 MLT 205		 Major Course
MLT 245 - Clinical Microbiology 4 credits Must earn a grade of "C" or better. Prerequisite course for MLT 265 and MLT 295. Prerequisites: BIOL 241 with grade of "C" or better. CHEM 110 and CHEM 118 or CHEM 121 and CHEM 122. Major Course

Semester 4

Course Number and Name Credits Advisory Notes Course Type
ENGL 115 - Public Speaking or
ENGL 116 - Interpersonal Communication or
ENGL 117 - Group and Team Communication or
ENGL 118 - Intercultural Communication or
AH 116 - Therapeutic Communication		 3 credits Must earn a grade of "C" or better for transfer. Use academic advisors to direct students to the appropriate course based on transfer requirements.
Prerequisites for ENGL 115, ENGL 116, ENGL 117, and ENGL 118: ENGL 101, which may be taken concurrently 		  
MLT 265 - Current Topics in Medical Laboratory Sciences 3 credits Must earn a grade of "C" or better. Prerequisites: MLT 225 and MLT 245 Major Course
MLT 295 - Clinical Practice 6 credits Prerequisites: MLT 225 and MLT 245. MLT 265 may be taken concurrently. Major Course
  • Congratulations, this is your final semester! Don’t forget to complete your graduation application.
  • Meet with an advisor when registering for your classes
  • Finalize your transfer plans:
  • Take advantage of our scholarship opportunities for transferring students and apply for a scholarship
  • Visit Career Connections to learn about internships and your future career possibilities

General Education Requirements:

All general education requirements necessary for graduation are met through the courses in the program as indicated above. Students who wish to take courses that differ from the general education courses indicated above must complete a course substitution request form. To access the form, login to the MyCCP portal, and in the Student tab, under Electronic Forms, click on the Records and Registration Forms link, then choose Request For Course Substitution Of Graduation Requirement link. A more detailed explanation of the College's general education requirements is also available.

1 Students in this program must take either BIOL 108 or both BIOL 109 & BIOL 110. Students who choose the two-semester 109 & 110 sequence should take BIOL 241 in the summer between the second and third semester.

View the College Catalog for More Information

Featured Career

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technician

Perform routine and urgent medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. The Medical Laboratory Technician can work as technicians in hospital laboratories, Red Cross laboratories, physician offices, pharmaceutical companies, veterinary laboratories or other types of clinical laboratory facilities.

Median Salary
$68,589 
Number of Jobs
2,396
in the region
10 Year Job Outlook
+11.5%
in the region

Typical Tasks

  • Conduct chemical analyses of body fluids, such as blood or urine, using microscope or automatic analyzer to detect abnormalities or diseases and enter findings into computer.
  • Analyze the results of tests or experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, using special mechanical or electrical devices.
  • Set up, maintain, calibrate, clean, and test sterility of medical laboratory equipment.
  • Prepare standard volumetric solutions or reagents to be combined with samples, following standardized formulas or experimental procedures.

How well does it pay?

New workers start around $41,650. Normal pay is $68,589 per year. Highly experienced workers can earn up to $94,093.

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Program Information

Medical Laboratory Technician

Degree Type:

Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.)

Credits Needed to Graduate:

63

Online Learning Availability:

25% or Greater

Related Programs:

Review Transfer Opportunities Get Financial Aid

This Is a Select Program,
View the College Catalog

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Medical Laboratory Technician graduate from CCP in a lab.

“I want students to know there is an opportunity for them to grow as managers and administrators, to become coaches and teachers, to be seen as leaders.”

Marlena Szydlowska
program graduate, 2004