Medical Laboratory Technology Program
Students must apply and be formally accepted into this program prior to enrolling in any MLT program courses. See Admission Procedures and Application Planning Guide. 
The fall 2009 Application period is open - Sept. 1, 2008 to Apr. 1, 2009
- What does a Medical Laboratory Technologist do?
- What are the job opportunities?
- What is the average/starting salary?
- Where is the program offered?
- What are the department admission requirements for this program?
- What is the procedure for acceptance?
- How do I improve my chances of getting accepted?
- What classes do I take to become a Medical Laboratory Technologist?
- What kind of time commitment is required to complete the program?
- Are there any other requirements I should be aware of while completing this program?
- How much does it cost to complete this program?
- After I complete the program, are there any other requirements before I can work?
What does a Medical Laboratory Technologist do?
Southwestern Illinois College's Medical Laboratory Technology (MLT) program prepares students with the entry level skills necessary to become a Medical Laboratory Technician. Laboratory technicians examine and process body fluids, and cells. They look for bacteria, parasites, and other microorganisms; evaluate the chemical content of fluids; match blood for transfusions; and test for drug levels in the blood to show how a patient is responding to treatment. Technologists also prepare specimens for examination, count cells, and look for abnormal cells in blood and body fluids. They use automated and computerized instruments, as well as microscopes, cell counters, and other sophisticated laboratory equipment. Contact the SWIC Career Activities and Employment Center for possible job shadowing or mentoring opportunities in Medical Laboratory Technology.
For further information regarding the field of medical laboratory technology, refer to the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science web site at http://www.ascls.org/jobs/careers.asp www.ascls.org/jobs/careers.asp and the U.S. Dept of Labor Occupational Handbook www.bls.gov/oco/.
What are the job opportunities?
Nationally, about 50 percent of MLTs are employed in hospital laboratories, the remainder work in independent labs, physicians' offices, public health agencies, the Federal government, pharmaceutical and industrial firms, research and educational institutions. Ninety-five percent of Southwestern's medical laboratory technology graduates are working in hospital medical laboratories. Job opportunities continue to grow as the elderly population continues to increase.
SWIC MLT graduate survey results (averaged over a three year period) indicate 90 percent of graduates are employed six months after graduation. Many students have jobs after their first clinical experience in the Fall semester of their second year.
What is the average/starting salary?
Starting salaries are about $27,000-$31,200 annually, salaries vary depending on the size and location of the health care facility. Salaries are higher when working on the second or third shifts.
Where is the program offered?
MLT courses are offered on the Belleville Campus with clinical experience at hospitals/clinical facilities throughout the district or in the St. Louis region. The required general education courses can be taken at the Belleville, Sam Wolf Granite City, or Red Bud Campuses.
What are the department admission requirements for this program?
All applicants are encouraged to meet with the program coordinator, Jean Deitz at 618-235-2700, ext 5386 prior to application. To apply for admission to the Medical Laboratory Technology Program, applicants must submit the following:
Official Transcripts/Proof of Completion of Pre-requisite Courses
The following pre-requisite courses must have been completed within 10 years preceding April 1, 2009 with no grade lower than a "C". College course grades supersede high school grades when both appear on official transcripts. The most recent grade in courses meeting these requirements is used in determining an applicant's admission qualifications and rank.
- Biology
- Algebra
- Chemistry
- Official High School Transcripts/GED
- Official Transcripts from all colleges, universities or accredited schools of Medical Laboratory Technology attended.
- Students who have completed college level coursework must have a SWIC cumulative GPA of 2.0 or greater to be considered for admission. Applicants may earn additional points on their application by earning a final grade of at least a "B" for MLT degree required general education courses that required for the MLT degree.
- ACT/SAT or SWIC GPA Option
- Compass Test Results
The Compass test identifies skill levels in math, reading and language. Students must score high enough to be eligible to enroll in ENG 101 and MATH 94. If results are too low, students must complete required developmental courses prior to enrolling in ENG 101, BIOL 157 & 158, or MATH 94.
What is the procedure for acceptance?
The MLT program generally accepts 14 students each Summer semester. Selection of qualified applicants for the Medical Laboratory Technology program will be based upon a numerical ranking procedure, using ACT/SAT scores or GPA, high school and/or college grades and percentage of completed general education courses that are required for graduation. See MLT application planning guide. . Information on the ACT test, the numerical ranking procedure and the admission process is available from the Southwestern Office of Admissions.
To arrange a meeting with the coordinator, counselor or obtain more information on the entrance requirements for the Medical Laboratory Technology Program, call or visit the Belleville Campus, 2500 Carlyle Avenue 618-235-2700 ext. 5206; Jean Deitz 618-235-2700ext. 5386; the Sam Wolf Granite City Campus, 4950 Maryville Road 618-931-0600; or the Red Bud Campus, 500 West South 4th Street 618-282-6682..
Applicants will be notified of their status regarding admission as quickly as possible, typically late May or early June depending on the number of applications received. In the event that there are fewer qualified candidates than there are spaces available, applications will continue to be accepted until the program's maximum capacity has been reached or through the first week of classes during the fall semester. Contact Admissions at 618-235-2700 ext. 5541/5542 or the Counseling Center at 618-222-5206 for information about possible application deadline extensions. The college reserves the right to fill the program when there are fewer applicants than spaces available by whatever means it deems necessary to assure both academic integrity and fairness in the selection process.
In the event that there are more qualified applicants than spaces available in this program, applicants residing outside Southwestern's district or in a district that does not have a joint agreement with SWIC for this program, will not be eligible for consideration or admission if there are more applicants than positions to be filled. Resident status is determined by address on file with Admissions by April 15.
The admission procedures for the Medical Laboratory Technology program are in accordance with Illinois law. The law requires that programs with insufficient space and resources to accommodate all applicants will accept the best qualified applicants, using rank, ability and achievement test scores as guides, with preference given to students residing in the district.
How do I improve my chances of getting accepted?
Applicants are rated by a point system. To find out what you can do to accumulate points see the MLT planning guide. .
For an individual review of your application, contact the Allied Health Coordinators' Assistant, Candice Moore, at 618-235-2700, ext 5355 if needed.
What classes do I take to become a medical laboratory technologist?
Acceptance to the program is required before an applicant will be permitted to register for MLT courses. MLT courses are only offered during the day.
Associate in Applied Science (0027).View Curriculum >>
This is a 71 credit hour, 2 year accredited degree program, which can be completed in 4 semesters and 2 summers. The curriculum includes mathematics, chemistry, and biological sciences, as well as MLT technical courses, and assigned clinical experiences. There are 37 credit hours of general education courses and 34 hours of Medical Technology courses. General education courses can be completed prior to admission; otherwise all courses must be completed during the semesters indicated. MLT courses begin in October for those applicants accepted into the program. It is NOT required to complete the general education courses prior to the application to the MLT program.
Clinical experience courses are completed off campus in various settings. Students may be required to travel outside of the College district for clinical experience courses and must have background checks and drug testing prior to starting clinical practice which begins in the second semester of the program.
What kind of time commitment is required to complete the program?
MLT courses are offered only during the day. The program can be completed in four semesters and two summers.
- First Year students (Summer, Fall & Spring semesters)
- Course schedule is primarily general education courses 1st year
- Fall - MLT classes are in the morning from Oct.-Dec. 3 days/week
- Spring - MLT classes are in the morning from Mar.-May 4 days/wk
- Second year Students (Summer, Fall & Spring semesters)
- Summer - MLT classes are Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday mornings
- Fall - 1st eight weeks MLT classes are Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. - 2.p.m. 2nd nine weeks - 40 hours/week clinical experience
- Spring - 1st eight weeks MLT classes are Monday thru Friday, 8 a.m. - 3.p.m. 2nd nine weeks - 40 hours/week clinical experience
Students are responsible for their own transportation and attendance to all classes and clinicals assigned by the program. Specific clinical placement cannot be guaranteed. Students may be required to travel outside the college district for clinical experience courses and must undergo background checks and drug testing. Clinical practice begins in the summer semester of the program. Students should check the location and schedule of classes to ensure availability and access.
Are there any other requirements I should be aware of while completing this program?
- Applicants accepted to this program must attend all required orientation sessions, meet program specific medical requirements and must be able to perform the essential functions of the job A. with or without reasonable accommodations. Any applicants or enrolled students are encouraged to meet with Special Services to discuss potential issues associated with meeting these requirements at 618-235-2700 ext. 5368.
- Health insurance is required during clinical education courses. Students are personally responsible for any costs incurred for injuries occurring during their clinical experience.
- Students accepted will be required to possess current CPR certification at the Healthcare Provider level, show proof of immunizations, TB test, physical examination, and verify health insurance coverage before beginning any clinical experience.
A criminal background check, random drug test, and name search on government registries which prohibit employment in healthcare professions are also required prior to clinical experience courses.
Students with positive results from the drug test and a listing in prohibitory government registry will result in dismissal from the program. Dismissal for positive criminal background check, drug test, or listing on a government registry does not qualify students for refund of tuition or lab fees. Students who have concerns regarding their status with the above regulations are encouraged to discuss the matter with the program coordinator or coordinators' assistant prior to seeking admission.
- Students must meet the Illinois and U.S. Constitution requirement to graduate. This may be done in one of the following ways: 1) present HS transcript from an accredited IL HS or a GED certificate which clearly states that both the US Constitution and the IL constitution have been passed. 2) Complete POLS 150 with a grade of "C" or better. 3) Pass the US and IL constitution examination at SWIC. Students are limited to 3 attempts to score at least 70% on this test. For more information regarding this examination and study materials, please call (618)235-2700, ext 5309.
- A student may not apply more than 16 hours of telecourses toward degree requirements. In addition, at least one non-telecourse must be completed in each general education area.
- Applicants admitted to the program must follow the requirements for graduation at the time they are admitted and must meet all course, program, degree, and sequencing requirements specified. Students are responsible for program policies as listed in the MLT Student Handbook. Students who fail to meet program specific requirements will be dropped from the program and may be required to re-apply and compete for admission in the succeeding semester.
How much will it cost to complete this program?
The estimated cost of the MLT program for the 2008-2009 academic year is $11,106.40. This cost breaks down to $75 per semester hour for tuition, $1,071 in MLT course fees, $177 in general education course fees, $830.05 for MLT textbooks, and $1,289.15 for general education textbooks. For more details see the cost sheet.
Financial aidis available subject to financial need and satisfactory academic progress requirements set by the college. The SWIC Foundation office offers many scholarships and there is a student work program for which financial aid eligibility is not required.
After I complete the program, are there any other requirements before I can work?
Upon successful completion of the MLT curriculum, graduates are awarded an Associate in Applied Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technology and are eligible to take a national registry examination. The American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the American Medical Technologist (AMT) both offer national certification testing which earns technicians the title of Certified Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT). Regulations vary from state-to-state, but certification is highly recommended because many employers require it.
The SWIC graduate licensure pass rate average over the last three years is 97 percent.