General Questions
Is there a 4-year MLT training program available?
Most 4-year universities do not have an MLTT program.
How long does the MLTT Program take and when can I start?
It depends on the status of your general education. You need to complete all the prerequisites before you can take MLTT classes. One you start the MLTT classes, it should take approximately 2 to 3 years to complete them all.
Is the program accredited?
Yes. We recently received national accreditation through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). We are also accredited through Laboratory Field Services, a department of the California Department of Public Health.
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National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences 5600 N. River Rd., Suite 720 Rosemont, IL 60018-5119 847.939.3597 info@naacls.org |
Tuition, Fees & Financial Aid
How much does the MLTT Program cost?
Starting July 2012, the cost will be $46 per unit plus additional nominal health/activity fees. The unit cost is higher for non-CA residents. There are additional costs associated with the books, supplies, parking permits, and licensing costs. NOTE: to complete the program and become an MLT, you must have a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1) license, as per California law. Phlebotomy licensing costs vary from school to school, please refer to the list of approved schools on the MLT Online Resource Page.
Are there grant funds or scholarships available?
Previously the program was funded by federal and state grants, but is now being funded through the college. Therefore, there are no program-specific scholarships available besides those through Miramar College.
What financial aid is available? Where can I learn more about financial aid?
Please speak to the Office of Financial Aid for these inquiries. Their phone number is (619) 388-7864. Their website is http://www.sdmiramar.edu/campus/financial-aid.
Coursework
What MLTT classes are in the program?
There are four lecture/lab classes (didactic training) and four Directed Clinical Practice (DCP; also known as practicum) classes. The didactic classes are at Miramar College. These are currently offered in the daytime. The DCP classes are offsite at a clinical affiliate in Poway. Schedules for DCP classes are at the offsite's discretion.
| Course | Units | Name | Prerequisites |
|---|---|---|---|
| MLTT210 | 4 | Clinical Chemistry and Lab Operations | BIOL 107 or 131; BIOL 230; BIOL 235; CHEM 100 AND 100L AND CHEM 130 AND 130L OR CHEM 152 AND 152L AND CHEM 130 AND 130L |
| MLTT211 | 4 | Clinical Hematology, Urinalysis, and Body Fluids | BIOL 107 or 131; BIOL 230; BIOL 235; CHEM 100 AND 100L AND CHEM 130 AND 130L OR CHEM 152 AND 152L AND CHEM 130 AND 130L; |
| MLTT212 | 4 | Clinical Microbiology | BIOL 107 or 131; BIOL 230; BIOL 235; CHEM 100 AND 100L AND CHEM 130 AND 130L OR CHEM 152 AND 152L AND CHEM 130 AND 130L; BIOL 107 or 131; BIOL 230; BIOL 235; CHEM 100 AND 100L AND CHEM 130 AND 130L OR CHEM 152 AND 152L AND CHEM 130 AND 130L; |
| MLTT213 | 4 | Principles of Blood Banking and Immunology | BIOL 107 or 131; BIOL 230; BIOL 235; CHEM 100 AND 100L AND CHEM 130 AND 130L OR CHEM 152 AND 152L AND CHEM 130 AND 130L; |
| MLTT061 | 3 | Directed Clinical Practice in Clinical Chemistry | MLTT210, MLTT211, MLTT212 and MLT 213 |
| MLTT062 | 3 | Directed Clinical Practice in Clinical Hematology, Urinalysis and Coagulation | MLTT210, MLTT211, MLTT212 and MLT 213 |
| MLTT063 | 3 | Directed Clinical Practice in Clinical Immunology and Immunohematology | MLTT210, MLTT211, MLTT212 and MLT 213 |
| MLTT064 | 3 | Directed Clinical Practice in Clinical Microbiology | MLTT210, MLTT211, MLTT212 and MLT 213 |
| The practical experience classes MLTT061-064 have limited space and enrollment is by add code only from the Instructor/Program Director. You must finish your phlebotomy training and all MLTT lecture/lab classes before you can take the practicum classes. | |||
Prerequisites
What if my prerequisites are from a long time ago?
Prerequisites must be completed with a grade of C or better or equivalent within five years prior to enrollment.
What if my prerequisites were taken at a school outside the US?
Those classes must be formally evaluated in order to determine if they are eligible. The counseling office will be able to give you more information and accepted vendors for this evaluation. They are located in K-203, or you can reach them by phone at (619)-388-7840.
What if my prerequisites were taken within the US but outside of the District?
The classes must be present on your official transcripts. Again, the counseling office will be able to give you more information. They are located in K-203 and you can reach them by phone at (619)-388-7840.
Can prerequisites be waived if I have taken similar classes elsewhere?
Prerequisites may be met if previous course experience at other colleges are evaluated by the Counseling or Evaluations office.
Getting Into the Program
How do I get admitted to the program?
For those who have completed the prerequisites, admission into the MLTT Program is by lottery. The application of interest is to check recency of prerequisites. You must reapply for each year you are trying to gain admission. The application for the Spring 2024 cohort will be available from October 2nd 9am to October 16th 4pm.
Please see MLT handbook on the resources page for more information. If you have any questions after you review the MLT handbook,
Please contact us at 619-388-7750 or via email us at miramarmltt@sdccd.edu for more information on how to apply.
How many students are accepted into the program?
This number varies depending on how many students have already started the program. There are 24 maximum seats per cohort. However, if there are students who need to complete their lecture courses started in the previous semester, not all spots will be available. On average we accept 24 students a year.
What time are MLTT classes?
The Spring 2024 cohort may have classes scheduled for Spring 2024 and Fall 2024 in the following format: 4 evenings per week or 2 mornings and 2 evenings per week. Clinical rotations for the Spring 2024 cohort would be done in spring/summer of 2025, the 4-week externship rotations could either be scheduled in day or night depending on the rotation discipline and lab scheduling. Please note: candidates accepted into the MLT program for the Spring 2024 cohort will need to be flexible to accommodate schedule changes.
Phlebotomy
Do I need to take phlebotomy? If so, when?
Yes, to complete the program and become an MLT, you must have a Certified Phlebotomy Technician (CPT-1) license, as per California law. You must be able to provide proof of your CPT-1 license 3 months prior to taking your first practicum class.
Can I get my phlebotomy training at Miramar?
No, we do not have phlebotomy training on campus.
Where can I take phlebotomy and how much does it cost?
A list of CA-approved phlebotomy training programs can be found on the MLT Online Resources page. Inquire for pricing information from the specific program and ask if they will give you a Miramar student discount.
Licensing
What do I need to do to obtain a National MLT License?
In order to be nationally licensed, you need to have started the Miramar MLTT Program in the Fall 2013 or later, as well as the following:
- Your associates degree (or higher) or equivalent (60 college units or 90 quarter units)
- A required number of science courses completed, including the prerequisites for the MLT classes and all of the classes listed above
- A current CPT-1 license
- The national exam completed
What do I need to do to obtain a CA MLT License?
In order to be licensed, you need to have:
- Your associates degree (or higher) or equivalent (60 college units or 90 quarter units)
- A required number of science courses completed, including the prerequisites for the MLT classes and all of the classes listed above
- A current CPT-1 license
- The state exam completed
State MLT Licensing Exam
How do I take the state exam, and how much does it cost?
Contact the CDPH Laboratory Field Services web site for information on completing the licensure process and submit an application to California. Upon determination of your eligibility for examination, you will receive an admission letter with a phone number for scheduling your appointment to take the MLT examination. You may schedule an appointment to take the examination at your convenience within the assigned 3 month examination period.
Where do I take the state exam?
Examinations are administered year-round, on computer, and by appointment at 13 test sites located in California.
What topics are on the exam?
The topics that are on the exam are General Laboratory, Chemistry, Hematology, Immunology/Immunohematology, Microbiology, and Urinalysis. (For National MLT licensing, Blood Bank is also covered).
If I already have a degree, do I need to get another one?
No. You just need to complete the science prerequisites and MLTT classes as well as other licensing requirements such as phlebotomy.
Work Opportunities
Is there any job placement?
No, there is no formal placement program.
Where can I work with a CA MLT License obtained through this program?
You can work in the state of California and other states that accept the California license. NOTE: If you started the program on or after Fall 2013, you are eligible to sit for the national exam to be certified nationally and work at other states.
I want to be a CLS/MLS. Will this program help me?
Perhaps, but this program is designed for students who want MLT careers. Please consult individual CLS training programs to determine if the classes are acceptable to them. Each one may make a different determination.
There is a path to National MLS Certification from an MLT License. However, it also requires 2 years experience with blood banking. In CA, MLTs are not allowed to do blood bank work in labs. This path would require out of state work experience. For more information please see the ASCP website: https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed