Program Director: Casanova
Faculty: Brown, Chiasera, Casanova, Greenup, Jeff, Unlap
In the clinical laboratory the medical technologist (MT) assumes major responsibility for analyzing body fluids and other specimens to aid the physician in the diagnosis of disease and therapeutic monitoring of treatment. The MT assesses, controls, and manages quality laboratory service and information and performs preventive maintenance and trouble-shooting of typical laboratory problems. Graduates are employed throughout the United States as technologists in clinical laboratories and in laboratory management, teaching, industry, and research.
Accreditation: The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60618-5119; telephone: 847-939-3597).
Credentials Conferred: Diploma—The Bachelor of Science degree and a baccalaureate certificate of completion are awarded by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Professional Certification: Graduates are eligible to apply for the certification examinations of the National Certification Agency for Medical Laboratory Personnel and the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology.
Length of Study: Preprofessional Phase—Four semesters (approximately two years); Professional Phase in SHP—Five semesters (approximately two years).
Term of Enrollment for Professional Phase of Program: Fall semester.
Professional Phase Application Deadline: Completed applications received by March 15 preceding the expected Fall term of enrollment for the professional phase are given first priority.
Application Procedure: The following materials must be submitted.
To the UAB Undergraduate Admissions Office:
- UAB online Application for Undergraduate Admission, indicating pre-medical technology as the major, and application fee. The online Application can be found at: UAB Application for Undergraduate Admission. If enrolled at UAB in another major, complete a Change of School/Major Request indicating pre-medical technology as the major; (form is available from the Office of Registration and Academic Records), and
- official transcripts from each college or university attended.
To the Medical Technology Program Office, School of Health Professions:
Requirements for Admission: The student usually will have completed approximately 60 semester hours before transferring to SHP for five semesters of professional courses. Acceptance will be based upon the student’s academic ability and aptitude for a career in laboratory sciences. The candidate is expected to satisfy the following requirements:
- have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 (A=4.0),
- have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.3 in Natural Sciences and Mathematics prerequisites in Area III and Area V, calculated on all hours attempted, and
- if accepted, complete the UAB medical history questionnaire and physical, provide proof of required immunizations, and receive satisfactory screening by the UAB Medical Center Student Health Service.
Early Acceptance: The Medical Technology program offers an early acceptance (CEAP) for entering UAB freshman and sophomore students with good academic records. Interested students should contact the Medical Technology Program for further information and an application. Certified MLTs who have graduated from a NAACLS accredited program and who wish to obtain a baccalaureate degree in medical technology can apply to the Clinical Laboratory Sciences (CLS) Articulation Program. Through this program, students receive credit for approved MLT coursework toward a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from the School of Health Professions.
Articulation Program
Certified MLTs or CLTs who have graduated from a NAACLS accredited program and wish to obtain a baccalaureate degree in medical technology can apply to the Medical Technology (MT) Articulation Program. Through this program, students receive credit for approved MLT/CLT coursework toward a Bachelor of Science degree in medical technology from the UAB School of Health Professions.
Essential Requirements: Fundamental tasks, behaviors, and abilities necessary to successfully complete the academic and clinical requirements of the program and to satisfy licensure/certification requirements, if any, have been outlined and are available upon request from the academic program office. Students requesting disability accommodations must do so by filing a disability accommodation request in writing with the Disability Support Services Office.
UAB/Program Core Curriculum - UAB Equivalents(Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)
The following courses must be completed prior to the beginning of the professional phase of the program. Contact the Program Director for details regarding the core curriculum.
Area I. Written Composition (6 hours)
English Composition - EH 101, 102 (6)
Area II. Humanities and Fine Arts (12 hours)
Literature
1 (3)
Fine Arts elective (3)
Speech - CM 101 (3)
Elective
1 (3)
Area III. Natural Sciences and Mathematics (11 hours)
Precalculus Algebra - MA 105 (or higher) (3)
General Chemistry sequence - CH 115/116 lab, 117/118 lab
2 (8)
Area IV. History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences (12 hours)
History
1 (3)
Social, and Behavioral Sciences (6)
Electives
1 (3)
Area V. Preprofessional, Major, and Elective Courses
Computer Science - CS 101 (3)
Statistics - MA 180 (3) or PY 214 (3)
Organic Chemistry - CH 235/236 lab
2 (4)
Biology - BY 123
2 (4)
Microbiology - BY 261 or 271
2 (4)
Genetics - BY 210 (3)
1A 6-semester hour sequence either in literature or in history is required. If a second literature is chosen, it will apply as the 3 elective hours in Area II Humanities and Fine Arts; if a second history is chosen, it will apply as the 3 elective hours in Area IV History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences.2Courses must be those required for a major and include laboratory.
Typical Program
Professional Phase
(Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)
Junior Year
Fall
MT 400 Health and Safety Management (1)
MT 403 Body Fluids (1)
MT 404 Body Fluids Laboratory (1)
MT 405 Laboratory Management (3)
MT 406 Laboratory Techniques (2)
MT 418 Immunology (4)
MT 419 Immunology Laboratory (1)
Spring
MT 423 Clinical Microbiology (3)
MT 424 Clinical Microbiology Laboratory (1)
MT 426 Instrumentation and Automation (3)
MT 427 Instrumentation and Automation Laboratory (1)
MT 442 Molecular Diagnostics (3)
MT 443 Molecular Diagnostics Lab (1)
Summer
MT 430 Immunohematology (3)
MT 431 Immunohematology Laboratory (2)
MT 428 Hematology I (4)
MT 438 Infectious Diseases (3)
MT 439 Infectious Diseases Laboratory (2)
Senior Year
Fall
MT 432 Hematology II (4)
MT 451 Clinical Chemistry (3)
MT 452 Clinical Chemistry Laboratory (1)
MT 455 Research Principles (2)
MT 460 Clinical Correlations (3)
Spring
MT 470 Certification Review(1)
MT 495 Clinical Practice (1-12)
For further information, contact:
Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences
Admissions Office
School of Health Professions Building Room 430
1705 University Boulevard
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1212
Telephone: (205) 934-3209
E-mail: askCDS@uab.edu