Medical Laboratory Technician

About the MLT Program

The MLT program is a two-year curriculum leading to the Associates in Science degree in Medical Laboratory Technician. Completion of prerequisite courses will be required prior to entering the program. The program course of study is a combination of instruction in principles of laboratory theory and techniques as well as clinical experience at affiliated medical laboratories.

Students learn to perform routine laboratory procedures in phlebotomy, microbiology, clinical chemistry, hematology, coagulation, immunology, and urinalysis. They also will learn to operate and maintain clinical laboratory equipment.

Graduates of the program qualify for state licensure examination administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Board of Certification to become state licensed medical laboratory technicians. Once licensed, MLTs can work in both private and public diagnostic laboratories, forensic labs, veterinary labs, and biomedical research laboratories.

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Associate of Science

Certificate of Achievement

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MLT Program Eligibility

MLT Program Applicant Pre-Admission Requirements:

Earned at least a High School Diploma, HiSET, or a GED.
Be 18 years or older.
Possess a social security number or ITIN number to enable a background check and be eligible to apply for the MLT licensure upon program completion.
Completion of the following prerequisite courses with a grade of "C" or better:
- BIO 15 - Microbiology
- BIO 13 (formerly 113) - Human Anatomy and Physiology
- CHEM 8 (formerly 108) - Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry
Successful completion of the following MLT courses with a grade “C” or better:
- MLT 210 - Introduction to the Clinical Laboratory Profession
- MLT 211 - Basic Laboratory Procedures
- MLT 230 - Clinical Chemistry
- MLT 236 - Clinical Hematology & Coagulation
o Current enrollment or successful completion of the following MLT courses with a grade “C” or better:
- MLT 232 - Clinical Microbiology
- MLT 235 - Clinical Urinalysis
- MLT 243 - Clinical Immunology – Immunohematology
- MLT 412NC - Phlebotomy Skills Lab

NOTE: Students may apply to the MLT Program while enrolled in these courses. Indicate on the application that these courses are IP (in progress) and will be completed by the end of the Spring semester for the academic year that they intend to apply.

We encourage all students interested in applying to the MLT program, to make an appointment with counselor, Elizabeth Weiss, ahead of time to ensure you meet the eligibility requirements to apply. Schedule an appointment with Counseling by calling (949) 582-4572.

Information Sessions

MLT Pre-Application Info Session

Contact the MLT Program at scmlt@saddleback.edu for Information Session packet.

MLT Fall 2026 Cohort Clinical Training Information Session

TBA - Last week of April

Application Process and Deadlines

Program Admissions Overview

Students are admitted to the MLT Program once a year.
Applications are accepted in Spring between February - April to join the Fall training cohort.
MLT clinical training requires both Fall and Spring semesters to complete.
Only students who are accepted into the MLT Program may proceed to Summer, Fall (Semester 3), and Spring (Semester 4) coursework.

Application Window

Fall 2026

February 15, 2026 - April 15, 2026
- Students must .
- Applications will not be accepted past the deadline date.
- A ��APP student ID is required to fill out the MLT program application.

Steps to Apply

- Complete the online application during the application window.
- Application related communications will be sent via Submittable, so check your ��APP emails and Submittable account messages regularly.
Submit official transcripts to Admissions and Records for coursework completed at another regionally accredited college/university. This includes high school AP scores being used for course credit. International transcripts must be evaluated by an acceptable third party: .
Meet with a counselor to:
- Ensure you meet the eligibility requirements to apply for the MLT program.
- Discuss the courses you may need to take to earn a Certificate of Completion or the Associate of Science (A.S.) Degree in Medical Laboratory Technician.
- Verify course equivalencies for any relevant coursework taken outside of ��APP, and file petitions for any course substitutions or waivers.
- Schedule an appointment with Elizabeth Weiss in the Counseling Office by calling (949) 582-4572.

Clinical Requirements

Once invited into the program, the student must accept or decline admission during the required response time as indicated in the acceptance email.

Students are expected to abide by the program requirements as stated on page 14 of the MLT Program Handbook.

Students enrolling in MLT 242, MLT 244, MLT 252, and MLT 253 are required to obtain the following clearances before participation in the Clinical Training Experience. Any findings may affect the student’s ability to progress through or complete the program.

Students must complete the clearance process by:

Fall 2026 Start for MLT practicum courses:

April 20 - May 20, 2026 - Schedule telehealth appointment with Student Health Center, (949) 582-4606
May 13, 2026 - Initial titer results due to Student Health Center
July 1, 2026 - Create CastleBranch account
July 8, 2026 - Submit positive titers to the SHC
July 15, 2026 - Submit all required medical documents to the SHC
July 22, 2026 - Upload all documents to Castlebanch
July 29, 2026 - Submit all required clinical site onboarding documents

Students are required to register with CastleBranch and purchase the CastleBranch (CB) Compliance Tracker by July 1, 2026. .

Please select “Medical Laboratory Technician” from the menu.
Enter package code: SJ35

Mandatory Health Assessment Requirements
- Verified by the Student Health Center
- Students will be required to obtain the following titers/immunizations/vaccines:
  - Measles
  - Mumps
  - Rubella
  - Varicella
  - TDAP
  - Hepatitis B
  - TB Skin test
  - COVID-19 (full immunity)
  - Annual Physical
  - Annual Seasonal Flu shot
Background Check / Drug Screening
- Students are required to use CastleBranch for the background check and drug screen.
- Select “Get a quote”
- Select “Student”
- At the drop down program menu, type in “Medical Laboratory Technician”
Basic Life Support (BLS) Card:
- Must be through the American Heart Association (No other Providers).
- We offer a class at ��APP titled HSC 222- Basic Life Support/CPR for Health Care Providers.
- You may also take it at a 3rd party site. We suggest .
Personal Medical/Health Insurance
FERPA Release (form)
Physical Advisory Statement and Instructions (form)
Professional Behaviors Release (form)
MLT Pre-Clinical Training Orientation (form)
U.S. Government Issued ID
��APP ID
Emergency Contact

Tuition and Fees

**Tuition, Fees, and Program Costs**
Description	Cost
Tuition at $46 per unit (CA resident)	$2,070
Books (Average $100 per course)	$1,600
Health Fee ($25 per semester x 5)	$130
Uniform: Shoes, Lab Coat, Etc. (approximately)	$30 - $150
Professional Practice Experience (PPE) Expenses
Medical Clearance and Immunizations	$150 - $1000
Student Medical Liability Insurance	$28
Background Investigation, Drug Test, and Tracker	$140
CPR (BLS)	$60
Total (estimated) Program Costs	$4,208 - $5,178

NOTE: Costs should not deter you from completing this program. Students in need of financial assistance should immediately contact the ��APP Financial Aid Office.

**Exam Application and License Fees**
Description	Cost
California MLT Exam Application Fee	$225
California MLT License Fee	$230

MLT Road Map

MLT Program Pre-requisite Courses*

Course	Title	Units
BIO 15	General Microbiology (*Prerequisite: Bio 20 or equivalent; OR 1 year of High School Biology, passing with a “C” or higher)	5
BIO 13 (formerly 113)	Human Anatomy and Physiology	4
Chem 8 (formerly 108)	Introduction to General, Organic, and Biochemistry	4

MLT Program Core Courses

Semester 1 - Fall

Course	Title	Units
MLT 210	Introduction to the Clinical Laboratory Profession	1
MLT 211	Basic Laboratory Procedures	1
MLT 230	Clinical Chemistry (*Pre-requisite: CHEM 8 or equivalent)	5
MLT 236	Clinical Chemistry Clinical Hematology & Coagulation (*Prerequisite: CHEM 8 or equivalent; BIO 13 or equivalent)	3

Semester 2 - Spring

Course	Title	Units
MLT 232	Clinical Microbiology (*Pre-requisite: BIO 15 or equivalent)	3
MLT 235	Clinical Urinalysis (*Pre-requisite BIO 13 or equivalent)	1
MLT 243	Clinical Immunology-Immunohematology (*Prerequisite: MLT 236)	3
MLT 412NC (replaces PHLB 240)	Phlebotomy Skills Lab (**Petition required for admission. See a counselor)	0

Apply to the MLT Program between February 15, 2026 - April 15, 2026 to join the Fall training cohort.

Students must be officially admitted to the MLT Program to proceed to Summer, Semester 3 - Fall, and Semester 4 - Spring.

Summer

Course	Title	Units
MLT 413NC (replaces CWE 180)	Phlebotomy Laboratory Experience (*Pre-requisite: MLT 412NC; Completion of Clinical Requirements)	0

Semester 3 - Fall

Limitations: Completion of all required didactic courses and acceptance into a clinical site; Completion of all prerequisites AND official admission into the MLT Program.

Course	Title	Units
MLT 242	Clinical Chemistry Practicum (160 hours) (*Prerequisite: MLT 230)	4
MLT 244	Clinical Hematology, Coagulation & Urinalysis Practicum (160 hours) (*Prerequisites: MLT 236 and MLT 235)	4

Semester 4- Spring

Limitations: Completion of all required didactic courses & acceptance into a clinical site; Completion of all prerequisites AND official admission into the MLT Program.

Course	Title	Units
MLT 252	Clinical Microbiology Practicum (160 hours) (*Prerequisite: MLT 232)	4
MLT 253	Clinical Immunology-Immunohematology Practicum (160 hours) (*Prerequisite: MLT 243)	3

2025-2026 Estimated Cost of Attendance

The estimated cost of attendance at ��APP includes an estimate for tuition and fees, books and supplies as well as basic living expenses like food and housing, and personal and miscellaneous expenses. Your actual expenses may be higher or lower than the amounts listed below.

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Fall 2025 and Spring 2026 (9-months)

Expenses	Living With Parents (2 Semesters)	Living Away from Parents (2 semesters)
Tuition and Fees	$1,432	$1,432
Books and Supplies	$1,089	$1,089
Living Expenses: Food and Housing	$13,942	$25,461
Personal & Misc	$4,140	$5,067
Transportation	$1,818	$1,989
Total Resident	$22,421	$35,038
Total Non-Resident	$36,921	$48,538

Summer 2026 (2-months)

Expenses	Living with Parents	Living Away from Parents
Tuition and Fees	$574	$574
Books and Supplies	$363	$363
Living Expenses: Food and Housing	$4,627	$8,487
Personal and Misc	$1,380	$1,689
Transportation	$606	$663
Total Resident	$7,570	$11,776
Total Non-Resident	$12,970	$17,170

Less Than Half-Time (less than 6 units)

Expenses	Living With Parents		Living Away from Parents
	Fall and Spring	Summer	Fall and Spring	Summer
Tuition and Fees	$1,432	$712	$1,432	$712
Books and Supplies	$1,089	$363	$1,089	$363
Transportation	$1,818	$606	$1.989	$663
Total Resident	$4,339	$1,681	$4,510	$1,738
Total Non-Resident	$17,839	$7,081	$18,010	$7,138

Factors in Calculating the Estimated Cost of Attendance

Enrollment Fee: $46 per unit
- Based on 15-units for Fall, Spring and 12-units for Summer
Health Fee $26 for Fall and Spring, $22 for Summer
Non-Resident Tuition (in addition to the $46 per unit enrollment fee): $450 per unit ($400 non-resident tuition fee + $50 capital outlay fee)
Estimated cost of attendance may be adjusted for documented circumstances such as dependent care expenses, purchase of a computer, and other special circumstances (except for students enrolled less than half-time)
- A Cost of Attendance Appeal may be requested by emailingscfinaid@saddleback.edu