Major Maps

Associate of Applied Science: Medical Laboratory Technology

The Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences (CLS) at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) offers a course of study for certified MLTs leading to the Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences. MLTs, who hold an associate degree in medical technology from Reynolds Community College and are actively certified as medical laboratory technicians, may be granted credit in the undergraduate CLS program for upper-level course requirements through challenge examinations or exemptions based on documented competencies in required laboratory skills. In addition, students who meet the exemption eligibility requirements for the junior level laboratory portions of the curriculum may take the didactic courses online. Both full-time and part-time students are accepted into the program. The degree completion program, including prerequisite courses, requires a total of 125 semester credits, which are earned through course enrollment at VCU, transfer credit from other institutions of higher education, and credits based on documented competencies.

Medical laboratory scientists and medical technologists perform laboratory testing in various settings to diagnose, monitor and treat diseases. Most medical laboratory personnel work in hospital laboratories. Many are also employed by private physicians, medical groups, public health and environmental laboratories, research facilities, pharmaceutical and biomedical companies, universities, industrial medical laboratories, molecular diagnostic laboratories and the armed forces. On the job, you would:

• Conduct analysis of body fluids, such as blood or urine, using microscopes, automated instruments, and manual techniques to detect abnormalities or diseases.
• Analyze the results of tests or experiments to ensure conformity to specifications, and high quality test results, using special mechanical or electrical devices.
• Set up, maintain, calibrate, clean, and test sterility of medical laboratory equipment.

With a master's or doctoral degree, you could also manage a medical laboratory, perform clinical and translational research, or teach clinical laboratory science courses in a postsecondary environment.