Medical Laboratory Technician Admissions Guide
MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNICIAN
Associate of Applied Science (AAS)
(Meeting minimum requirements does not guarantee admission to the program)
| Term | Applications Accepted |
Application Review
|
Application Status Notification | Application packet must submit via email |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Fall:
|
Nov. 4, 2024 - Jun. 2, 2025 |
Nov. 18, 2024 - Jun. 16, 2025 |
By July 2025 |
|
Program Duration, Study Mode and Class Schedule Information
| Program Duration (Number of Semesters) |
Study Mode | |
|---|---|---|
|
Full Time: |
Part-Time: 9 semesters |
Face-to-Face, Online, and Offsite Clinical Rotations |
- Program days and times may vary, but you should plan to attend classes 4-5 days a week.
- Classes are generally 9:00 am – 3:00 pm or 1:00 pm – 6:00 pm. Clinic rotation hours are 7:00 am – 3:30 pm. Please plan accordingly to ensure you have proper transportation.
Program Admissions Statistics
On average, approximately 50 students apply for admission each application period. Of these, approximately 35 are typically accepted.
How Do I Submit the HCC Application and Program Application?
The Medical Laboratory Technician program is a selective admission program. Prospective applicants should review the HCC Application Requirements, Medical Laboratory Technician Program Application Requirements, and Pre-Enrollment Process & Requirements outlined in this guide.
HCC Application Requirements:
- Step 1. Apply for Admission to HCC:
New student to HCC: If you are new to college or transferring to HCC, your first step is to become an HCC Eagle by submitting a free admissions application to HCC. Please create a profile and complete a degree-seeking application: https://www.applytexas.org/. Upon completing the application, you will receive your acceptance letter and a welcome email that contains your HCC Student ID number and P-number (if assigned). If you have filled out an HCC application at any point or you already have an HCC student ID number, please do not submit another HCC application. Multiple HCC new student applications and/or ID numbers are not allowed.
Returning student to HCC: If you have not been enrolled in HCC for the past 3 semesters, you must re-activate your HCC student account. If you need assistance with this process, please visit: Returning HCC Student | Houston Community College - HCC.
International Students: If you are an international student planning to attend HCC on a status F-1, (DACA, refugee, L visa, H visa, etc.), please visit https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/international-students/.
Veteran students: Please visit https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/veteran-affairs/. Download and complete DD Form 214 & SF-180 Form and submit with the application.
- Step 2: Apply for Financial Aid (this step is optional):
All students should apply for financial aid immediately after applying for admission to HCC. Filling out a financial aid application is the first step in learning your options to pay for college. HCC accepts financial aid applications throughout the year.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov, School Code: 010422
- Free Application for Texas Application for State Financial Aid (TASFA) at hccs.edu/tasfa.
If you need assistance paying for college, please visit the Coleman Financial Aid office for assistance or visit www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/
- Step 3: Complete My Eagle HCC Account Checklist:
Please visit: myeagle.hccs.edu, and sign into the Student System. Review and complete the HCC Policy and On-Boarding Checklist sections. To avoid delays in the processing of your application, please complete all To-Do List items.
- Career Interest Assessment: All first-time HCC students must complete this module.
- Meningitis Vaccine: Future and returning students who are under the age of 22 are required to submit proof of vaccination. For more information on requirements, resources & any religious, medical, or online student exemptions, please visit Meningitis Vaccine.
- Submit Official Transcript(s): Please submit your official sealed (unopened) transcript(s) from high school, GED, and any other colleges and/or Universities previously If you have completed your courses at HCC, you do not need to submit an official transcript. We do not accept unofficial copies or official copies that have been opened. There are two ways to submit an official transcript from your high school or previous institution:
- Submit Electronically: Have an official PDF transcript electronically sent from approved service providers such as Credentials, Parchment, and National Student Clearinghouse to: admissions@hccs.edu
- Submit by Mail: Please use the address: Houston Community College, Office of Admissions & Records, P.O. Box 667517, Houston, TX 77266-7517
- If you have completed coursework with other institutions and need more information on transfer equivalency with HCC, please visit http://www.hccs.edu/support-services/transfers/transferring- credits/.
- All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by an approved credential evaluation service. The evaluation must include course-by-course evaluation and US equivalency for earned degree. Then the official evaluation report must be submitted to HCC. The HCC Internal process can take up to 8 weeks for evaluation and transfer of course credits. To find a list of approved evaluation companies, please visit Foreign Transcript/ Foreign Credit Evaluators.
For more information on transcript(s) submission, please visit Transcript(s). It is the responsibility of the student to allow enough time for the evaluation of transcripts; please allow 6-8 weeks for evaluation and transfer of course credits.
To receive Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) credit towards admission to the Medical Laboratory Technician program, an applicant should not have previously taken or attempted the course (by title), that is the same as the PLA credit for which he/she is applying. For more information on PLA you may visit https://www.hccs.edu/resources-for/current-students/prior-learning-assessment/
- Texas Success Initiative requirements: If you have the "Texas Success Initiative College Readiness Requirements" Checklist on your To-do List in the Student Center, you have to be placed into core courses one of two ways.
- Have an approved exemption (reason) for not taking Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2); or
- Take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2)
Please visit the Texas Success Initiative Assessment to learn about your options to complete this requirement.
Medical Laboratory Technician Program Application Requirements:
- Step 4. Meet with HCC Coleman College Representative:
At least once during the application acceptance period, we strongly recommend that applicants attend an In-Person/Virtual Program Information Session or meet with an HCC Coleman Advisor via phone or in-person or virtually to ensure they are meeting all of the program admission criteria. To view up-to-date in-person hours for Coleman College Student Services, please visit https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/academic-advising/.
- Step 5. Program Information Session:
Attend online program information session at Medical Laboratory Technician | Houston Community College - HCC (hccs.edu). If you have questions regarding the program information sessions, please contact department via phone at 713-718-5980 or via email at co.medlabtech@hccs.edu.
- Step 6. Complete Requirements and Submit Program Application:
In addition to the HCC admission application, you must complete and submit a typed Medical Laboratory Technician program application via email to co.mlabadmit@hccs.edu. Please send all the application requirements listed below with the program application form by the submission deadline and label each attachment with the file name:
- Copy of transcripts showing completion of required prerequisite courses, and highly recommended academic courses.
If an applicant has earned a bachelor's or higher degree in a STEM-related field, then please submit a transcript showing the degree conferred to receive additional points on the application rubric.
- An Essay: less than one page, more than 2 paragraphs detailing:
1. Reason for interest in the Medical Laboratory Technician program
2. Foreseeable challenges while in the program and plans to overcome said challenges
3. Program expectations of the applicant
To learn about prerequisite and academic courses, please refer to the next section Program Application: Academic Course Requirements.
Program Application: Academic Course Requirements
| Course Description | Credit Hour |
|---|---|
|
Student Success Course
|
3 |
|
Cumulative GPA minimum 2.0 or above |
|
|
Prerequisite Courses |
|
|
3 |
|
4 |
|
3 |
|
Academic Courses |
|
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
4 |
|
3 |
|
3 |
|
Recommended Courses |
|
|
2 |
|
1 |
|
2-3 |
|
1 |
|
Advanced Degree Completion: Applicants with a bachelor's or higher degree in STEM-related fields will be awarded additional points on the admission rubric. |
|
|
If you would like to determine your eligibility by calculating your cumulative points earned, please use our Admission Rubric form. |
|
Pre-Enrollment Process & Requirements
When the number of eligible applications exceeds program seat availability, selective criteria are used to determine which applicants are offered admission. Selective criteria are awarded based on the following:
- 100% may be awarded based on the program's academic criteria.
(grades earned from pre-entry form, required and recommended courses, and general education requirements). - All application requirements must be satisfied by the close of the application window.
If you are offered admission you will need to complete the following pre-enrollment requirements by a specific due date to maintain eligible status.
- Complete the letter of Intent form by the deadline stated in the admission acceptance offer email that will be sent to your submitted email address with the program application.
Please note the Program Director will be in contact with you once your Letter of Intent has been received to provide you the information on the process of following requirements. Please check your email regularly for updates and information. - Proof of personal health insurance: If you need to purchase health insurance please visit: Student Health Insurance | Houston Community College - HCC (hccs.edu) for a list of health care insurance providers that HCC has compiled as a courtesy to students who wish to contact a potential provider to meet their personal health insurance needs. Students are advised to contact more than one company and compare offerings.
- Attend mandatory student services and program orientation on the date provided in your admission offer email. (Please clear your calendar so you are available to attend the mandatory orientations if you are offered admission. Fall Term – plan to attend orientations between July and August.)
The following must be completed while in the program, deadlines will be provided during the program orientation. Failure to meet the deadlines provided during program orientation will mean that student is unable to attend clinical rotations. - Passing drug screen
- Physical examination
- Immunization record showing: Completion of Hepatitis B immunization series (may take up to 6 months), MMR – 2 shots or titer, Tdap – every 10 years, TB – every year, Varicella – 2 shots or titer, Meningitis (required for students 22 years or younger) and Influenza – after September 1st. Vaccine deadlines will be provided during Program orientation.
- Cleared Criminal Background
- Clinical Requirements for Program Progression & Completion
To provide students with the most robust clinical educational experience and to ensure that students progress and graduate as scheduled, it is highly recommended that applicants weigh all of their options before agreeing to a conditional acceptance into their desired health science program. In order to facilitate this decision-making, students should understand all of the requirements of their program, including clinical education.
To be placed in a clinical educational experience, students must comply with the guidelines and requirements of HCC clinical sites, including health and wellness directives. Most clinical sites require background checks, health testing, drug screens and immunizations, including proof of COVID-19 vaccination.
Students are required to provide to HCC proof that students meet all clinical requirements, with the exception of their COVID-19 vaccination status. Consistent with state law, HCC does not mandate the COVID-19 vaccination. Students have the choice to voluntarily disclose or not disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status through their HCC Complio account.
However, most healthcare facilities do require the vaccine as a condition of employment, volunteering, or student clinical placement. If a student chooses not to disclose their COVID-19 vaccination status or is not vaccinated, HCC may not be able to place the student in clinical rotations. HCC will work to place such students into a clinical site that does not require the vaccine, provided such a site is available and HCC has an active affiliation agreement in place that meets the necessary conditions to provide an appropriate learning opportunity for the student. However, HCC cannot guarantee that clinical sites that do not require the COVID vaccine will be available at the time the student requires placement. At this time, many healthcare facilities are not accepting religious or medical exemptions for the COVID-19 vaccine for clinical students.
If a student chooses not to receive or to provide proof of COVID-19 vaccination and no clinical sites are available to accept the student that do not require the COVID-19 vaccination, the student’s progression in the program and graduation will be delayed or stopped all together. If a student cannot be timely placed in a qualifying clinical site, a student may not be able to complete the program. Our affiliate partners’ expectations are the same for our students as they would be when our students ultimately become employees in their chosen field.
Students with questions about clinical requirements and placement may contact the program director of their program of interest.
- HB 1508 requires the following information be given to students:
If you are applying for admission to a program that prepares an individual for an initial occupational license or certification and/or if you later decide to change to a program that prepares you for an initial occupational license or certification, in accordance with state law, please be advised of the following:
- An individual who has been charged or convicted of an offense or who is on probation may not be eligible for issuance of an occupational license or certification upon completion of the educational program.
- It is the responsibility of the individual to immediately report to the program any change in status that would affect that individual’s eligibility to apply for a license or certification.
- Local, state or national licensing and certification authorities may issue additional guidelines related to criminal history. Applicant should contact their respective licensing or certification authority for more details.
Most healthcare programs require all students, admitted to the program, to submit to a national background check which may include fingerprinting. Applicants are encouraged to review all applicable eligibility requirements related to the respective occupational license or Certification. Questions related to eligibility requirements should be directed to the individual program and applicable licensing or certification authority.
- The Medical Laboratory Technician Program requires participation in clinical rotations in order to complete the program. In order to participate in clinical rotations at our affiliate sites, certain background information must be verifed. Students participating in clinical rotations must meet the same background verifications as clinical staff at our affiliate sites. For that reason, we require students to submit the following required background information before admission/enrollment in the program is completed:
- Social Security Number Verification
- Criminal Search (7 yrs. or up to 5 criminal searches)
- Violent Sexual Offender and Predator Registry Search
- OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities
- GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
- US Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), List of Specially Designated nationals (SDN)
- State Exclusive List https://hhs.texas.gov/
- Driver’s license or government-issued identification
Please note: Verification of this information is the financial responsibility of the student and must be completed through the program-approved vendor - Complio.
- HCC Coleman College Grading Scale
To best prepare students for success in their chosen fields, Health Sciences Programs have high standards for progression. Unlike other HCC programs, the Medical Laboratory Technician program requires a C (75%) or better to progress to the next course or semester in the program. For specific questions about grades, grading, and progression within Health Science programs, please contact Coleman College at co.medlabtech@hccs.edu.
Medical Laboratory Technician Program Grading Scale:
A = 100 – 90 %
B = 89 – 80 %
C = 79 – 75 %*
D = 74 – 60 %
F = 59 – 0 %
*A grade of C (75%) or better must be achieved to progress to the next course or semester.
Estimated Costs
Tuition is estimated using the Texas resident rates. Out-of-district and out-of-state residents will have higher tuition fees. Please visit http://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/tuition-calculator/ for more information.
Tuition is for core coursework only. General Education and Support courses are not included. These are high estimates; actual costs will vary depending on health insurance coverage.
Due to increases/decreases in books and supplements, please check the bookstore website at https://hccs.bncollege.com/shop/hccs-central/home for updated cost information. Only required books are included in the estimate.
|
PROGRAM COSTING SHEET |
|
|
Pre Entrance |
|
|
Criminal Background/Drug Screening |
$ 95.00 |
|
Physical Exam |
$ 100.00 |
|
Immunization |
$ 625.00 |
|
Medical Insurance |
varies |
|
Supplies |
$200.00 |
|
SUBTOTAL |
$ 1020.00 |
|
1st Semester ( 15 semester hours) |
|
|
Tuition |
$ 1,270.50 |
|
Books |
$ 550.00 |
|
Uniforms |
- |
|
Parking (4 months) |
varies |
|
Medical Insurance |
varies |
|
SUBTOTAL |
$ 1,820.50 |
|
2nd Semester (11 semester hours) |
|
|
Tuition |
$ 935.50 |
|
Books |
$300.00 |
|
Parking (4 months) |
varies |
|
Medical Insurance |
varies |
|
SUBTOTAL |
$ 1,235.50 |
|
3rd Semester (4 semester hours) |
|
|
Tuition |
$ 344.00 |
|
Books |
$75.00 |
|
Parking (2 months) |
varies |
|
Medical Insurance |
varies |
|
SUBTOTAL |
$ 419.00 |
|
4th Semester (6 semester hours) |
|
|
Tuition |
$ 513.00 |
|
Books |
$250.00 |
|
Liability |
$30.00 |
|
Uniforms |
$200.00 |
| Parking (4 months) | varies |
| Medical Insurance | varies |
| Repeat Immunization | $60.00 |
| SUBTOTAL | $ 1,053.00 |
| 5th Semester (9 semester hours) |
|
| Tuition | $766.50 |
| Books | $100.00 |
| Liability Insurance | $30.00 |
| Credential Exam | - |
| Parking (4 months) | varies |
| Medical Insurance | varies |
| SUBTOTAL | $896.50 |
| 6th Semester (4 semester hours) | |
| Tuition | $ 344.00 |
| Books | $ 150.00 |
| Liability Insurance | - |
| Credential Exam | $ 215.00 |
| Parking (2 months) | varies |
| Medical Insurance | $ 600.00 |
| SUBTOTAL | $ 1,309.00 |
|
Total Program Cost |
$ 7,753.50 |
Degree Plan
Learn more about the degree plan by visiting the HCC Catalog
Paying For College
You can use a valid MasterCard, Visa, Discover, or American Express card to pay for tuition and fees. You can also use debit card with Visa or MasterCard logo, but not a non-USA credit card. Online payment via check is also available.
Check or echeck payments have a 10 day hold on release of official transcripts. International students or their parents can also pay online from their country of origin with their local currency, where applicable. Online payment from other countries can be made through “International Fund Transfer” payment option.
Additional Option For Payment
- Financial Aid
If you need assistance paying for college, please visit the Coleman Financial Aid office for assistance or visit www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/
- Capital IDEA Houston
Capital IDEA Houston fully funds participants’ tuition, fees, and books for an Associate’s Degree or College-level Certificate with no loans or paybacks required. Please visit College Degree Programs | Capital IDEA Houston to see the List of Sponsored Programs.
- Scholarships
In addition to federal and state aid, scholarships are a great way to offset all or part of the cost of your education. We encourage you to learn about the different types of scholarships awarded by financial aid, the HCC Foundation, and outside groups. Please visit https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/financial-aid/scholarships/ for more information.
- Installment Payment Plan
If you are paying out of pocket and need assistance on how to set up a payment plan, please visit the Business Office at HCC Coleman or visit https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/student-financial-services/ for more information.
Program Information
Accreditation Agency
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Certification Testing
HCC Coleman College MLAB graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (BOC-ASCP).
Employment Opportunities
Technicians work in hospital, reference, research, forensic or physicians’ office laboratories.
Average Salary
Entry-level salaries are in range between $38,000 and $42, 000 annually. Find out the wages for each career field: https://www.hccs.edu/continuing-education/about-us/outreach-services/career-coach/
Questions
For further assistance on program admission requirements, please email us at: co.medlabtech@hccs.edu;co.admissionadvising@hccs.edu.
Required Essential Functions
| Functional Capacity | Standards (Tasks) |
|---|---|
| Psychomotor Skills |
|
| Gross Motor |
Reach laboratory bench tops and shelves, which may be above the shoulders or below the waist. |
| Fine Motor |
Control laboratory equipment and adjust instruments to perform laboratory procedures. Key/type and otherwise operate common desktop computer accessories. |
| Physical Strength & Endurance | Perform moderately taxing, continuous physical work, often requiring prolonged sitting and standing over several hours. Push and pull up to 50 pounds (e.g., equipment on a cart). Lift, move, and carry up to 50 pounds (e.g., transfer boxed supplies from cart to counter). |
| Mobility |
Move freely and safely about a laboratory. |
|
Cognitive Skills |
|
|
Critical & Analytical Thinking |
Independently prepare papers and laboratory reports, and take paper, computer, and laboratory practical examinations. |
|
Safety |
Recognize potentially hazardous materials, equipment, and situations, and proceed safely in order to minimize risk of injury to patients/clients, self, and nearby individuals. |
|
Sensory Skills |
|
|
Observation |
Observe laboratory demonstrations in which biologicals (e.g., body fluids, culture materials, tissue sections, and cellular specimens) are tested for their biochemical hematological, immunological, microbiological, and histochemical components. |
|
Perception |
Characterize the color, odor, clarity, and viscosity of biologicals, reagents, and/or chemical reaction products. |
|
Interpretation |
Comprehend technical and professional materials (e.g., textbooks, magazine and journal articles, handbooks, and instruction manuals). |
|
Social-Behavioral Skills |
|
|
Communication |
Follow verbal and/or written instructions in order to correctly and independently perform laboratory test procedures. |
|
Adaptability |
Provide professional and technical services while experiencing the stresses of task-related uncertainty (e.g., ambiguous test ordering, ambivalent test interpretation), emergent demands (e.g., “stat” test orders), and a distracting environment (e.g., high noise levels, crowding, complex visual stimuli). |
|
Emotional Stability |
Manage the use of time and be able to systematize actions in order to complete professional and technical tasks within realistic constraints. Demonstrate honesty, compassion, responsibility, and ethical judgment. Be forthright about errors and/or uncertainty. |
|
Interpersonal Skills |
Support and promote the activities of fellow students and of healthcare professionals. |
|
Ethics & Professionalism |
Demonstrate emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect and exercise appropriate judgment. |