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Winter Break

The college will be closed for break  at 2 p.m. on Monday, December 23. The college will reopen Thursday, January 2, 2025.

Medical Laboratory Technology

Become an integral part of the health care team

Working behind the scenes, you will provide valuable information to physicians as they diagnose, treat and prevent illness. Course work includes: clinical hematology, immunology, clinical chemistry and serology, microbiology, blood banking, and advanced clinical techniques. An internship in a clinical setting rounds out this comprehensive program. Medical lab technicians typically work in hospitals, reference labs and doctors’ offices—under the supervision of a medical technologist or physician.

Semesters:
6
Credits:
67 View Curriculum
Locations:
Virginia Beach Campus
Associate of Applied Science - Medical Laboratory Technology

TCC’s curriculum provides extensive hands-on training, including a clinical internship with supervised work experience, that qualifies graduates to run clinical tests required by physicians to make life-affecting decisions in patient care. Upon completion of the program, you’ll be eligible to complete a national certification exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) to become certified as a medical laboratory technician.

The Medical Laboratory Technology Program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

NAACLS

NAACLS 5600 N. River Rd, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: (773) 714-8880
Fax: (773) 714-8886
info@naacls.org

Tidewater Community College’s Medical Laboratory Technology uses the following criteria as outcome measures of effectiveness of the program.

1. 70% of those students that begin the final half of the program (semester 4) will be retained and graduate as calculated by the most recent three years.

  • 100% of students that began the final half of the program were retained and graduated in 2024
  • 100% of students that began the final half of the program were retained and graduated in 2023
  • 100% of students that began the final half of the program were retained and graduated in 2022
  • 73% of students that began the final half of the program were retained and graduated in 2021

2. A minimum of 75% of students taking the MLT ASCP Certification Examination within the first year of graduation will pass as calculated by the most recent three-year period.

  • 100% pass rate for 2024 ** (** data for 2024 is current as of Sept. 2024)
  • 100% pass rate for 2023
  • 80% pass rate for 2022
  • 100% pass rate for 2021

3. 90% of graduates who desire employment will be gainfully employed in a medical laboratory related occupation or continue their education within 1 year of graduation as calculated by the most recent three years.

  • 91% of 2024 graduates who sought employment are gainfully employed as an MLT(** data for 2024 is current as of Sept. 2024)
  • 100% of 2023 graduates who sought employment are gainfully employed as an MLT
  • 100% of 2022 graduates who sought employment are gainfully employed as an MLT
  • 100% of 2021 graduates who sought employment are gainfully employed as an MLT

4. 90% of graduates returning graduate surveys will evaluate the quality of the MLT program in positive terms of either “good” or “very good” as calculated by the most recent three years.

  • 100% of 2023 graduates rated the quality of the MLT as “very good”
  • 100% of 2022 graduates rated the quality of the MLT as “very good”
  • 100% of 2021 graduates rated the quality of the MLT as “very good”
  • 100% of 2020 graduates rated the quality of the MLT as “very good”

Upon completion of an accredited program, Medical Laboratory Technicians are eligible to complete a national certification exam administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) to become certified as a medical laboratory technician.

Admission to the medical laboratory technology program is very selective and requires a separate application in addition to general admission to the college.

To qualify for this competitive program, you will need to complete and submit your application by May 15 for fall admission.

Applicants are required to attend an information session, held the third Thursday of each month at 4 p.m. (except December) on the Virginia Beach Campus.

Apply Online

Download program information packet

View upcoming information sessions

This program prepares students to sit for professional exams and/or apply for professional licensure that is required for employment in the related occupation in Virginia. If you live or move outside of Virginia, you must consult with the program lead to confirm whether the program will meet your state’s requirements prior to enrolling in courses. Visit this website to learn more.

Is this program for you?

Yes, if you:
  • are strong in science and math
  • can complete the prerequisites with grades of C or better
  • have attention to detail and can work under stress