Medical Laboratory Technology

The Associate of Science in Medical Laboratory Technician is a comprehensive program designed to provide students with the knowledge, skills, and practical experience necessary to pursue a rewarding career in the field of medical laboratory technology. This program combines theoretical coursework with hands-on laboratory training to prepare students for entry-level positions in medical laboratories, hospitals, research institutions, and other healthcare settings.

Throughout the program, students will gain a deep understanding of the principles and practices of medical laboratory technology, with a focus on laboratory techniques, procedures, and instrumentation used in clinical diagnosis and research. In addition to classroom lectures, students will have ample hands-on laboratory training, where they will develop essential skills in sample handling, specimen processing, equipment operations, data analysis, and result interpretation. They will have the opportunity to work with real patient samples under the supervision of experienced instructors.

Program outcomes. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

• General Laboratory Orientation: understand the program curriculum, use laboratory glassware and pipette devices properly, process electronic patient information, operate laboratory equipment and perform maintenance, adhere to biohazard safety procedures, operate and maintain a microscope, and perform requisition and specimen processing.
• Medical Law and Ethics: demonstrate and comply with HIPAA rules and regulations, complete a chain of custody form, and demonstrate an understanding of OSHA compliance rules and regulations.
• Anatomy and Physiology: demonstrate understanding of structures and functions of all body systems and identify common disorders and the laboratory tests used to diagnose them.
• General Chemistry, Urinalysis and Body Fluids, Hematology and Immunohematology procedures.
• Microbiology, Immunology/Serology and Clinical Chemistry procedures.
• Quality Assurance and Specimen Collection, including routine venipunctures, dermal punctures and blood cultures.
• Career Development: understand the importance of passing a national certification exam and holding membership in a professional organization.

Your learning experience.

• Students will take online classes and virtual labs. Externship clinicals will take place in-person.
• Clinical rotations: students will be required to rotate through various clinical sites on 8 to 12 hour shifts per day, 3 to 5 days per week.
• Graduates will be well-prepared to take the national certification examination for medical laboratory technicians.

All-inclusive tuition. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable).

Refresher privilege. As part of our commitment to keeping graduates' skills and training up to date, the University allows its graduates to return at any time to retake courses in their respective fields, subject to availability. No tuition fees will be charged for this benefit; graduates will be responsible for any additional costs associated with books, equipment, or third-party testing fees.

To be admitted to any undergraduate (i.e., associate or baccalaureate) program at the University, applicants must show a completed high school (or equivalent level) education, met through a completed high school education, a completed home school education program at the high school level, or an earned GED or other state-authorized high school equivalency examination. Applicants may also qualify with an official transcript showing any degree earned at the associate level or higher, or at least 60 semester credits (90 quarter credits) that count toward a baccalaureate degree. All undergraduate students must complete placement evaluations in English and mathematics before beginning classes (students entering a healthcare program also complete a science placement evaluation).

Admission to the program is limited, as residents of California, Louisiana, New York, North Dakota, Tennessee, and West Virginia are not eligible for admission. Applicants must affirm they can lift at least 25 pounds, possess reasonable vision and hearing, and have no communicable diseases known to them, and must acknowledge that a failed drug screen or criminal conviction may affect externship or employment eligibility. Prior to the clinical externship, students must provide BLS/CPR certification from the American Heart Association and proof of immunity or vaccination. Students residing in Kentucky and Southwest Virginia will complete MLT297 and MLT299 in Pikeville, KY; students in other approved states must work with the program director to secure an externship site prior to admission.

For the convenience of its students, the University operates on a quarter-based schedule with year-round classes. Students may begin their programs at any of the starting dates during the year.

Full-time undergraduate students enroll in at least 12 credit hours per 10-week term. This typically includes three different 4-credit courses offered across either 5-week or 10-week sessions.

The University courses use both synchronous (live) and asynchronous (on-demand) interactions. Courses are delivered online (delivered through Canvas with scheduled Global Learn™ sessions) and through hybrid instruction (combining online coursework with required in-person residencies).

Students attend a live session at specific times and days each week through video conferencing. Many classes offer scheduling options to meet different circumstances, such as frequency of meetings, daytime meetings, evenings, and weekends.

Students will take online classes and virtual labs. Externship clinicals will take place in-person. Clinical rotations: students will be required to rotate through various clinical sites on 8 to 12 hour shifts per day, 3 to 5 days per week. The distance, days, shifts, etc. are to be determined.

Upcoming start dates: January 3, 2027; March 21, 2027; June 6, 2027; August 22, 2027; November 7, 2027.

Tuition. Tuition is $260 per quarter credit hour; for the 96 credit hours this program requires, total program tuition is $24,960. Tuition is charged on a per-credit-hour basis and billed each academic term. All textbooks are included in the student's tuition.

All-inclusive pricing. ANU tuition includes all fees (application, course, technology, graduation, etc.), textbooks, and lab equipment (where applicable). The University's all-inclusive pricing provides the equipment needed to complete all coursework; some items are loaned and must be returned within 15 days after graduation or withdrawal.

Fees applicable to all students. Transcript fee $10 (first copy free); returned check/declined credit card fee $25; transaction chargeback 10% + $15; diploma reprint $50; duplicate ID $10; experiential learning evaluation $50 per course; challenge exams $50 per exam. Fees are non-refundable after 5 calendar days from enrollment.

Estimated annual cost of attendance (three terms). Tuition: review program cost. Food and Housing $5,720 (living with parent/guardian) or $9,728 (not living with parent/guardian); Transportation $2,864; Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $936; Personal Expenses $2,752 or $4,816.

Payment. All students must pay tuition in full before the term begins, unless they are enrolled in a program with limited seats. Students using federal aid or loans must have all forms completed and payment schedules finalized before the term starts; students using employer, Veterans Education Benefits, or other third-party tuition assistance must have an approved contract on file for delayed payment.

Federal aid. Students seeking to participate in federal and/or most state financial aid programs must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA); ANU's school code is 010489. Federally funded aid available to eligible students includes the Federal Pell Grant, the Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grant (FSEOG), William D. Ford Federal Direct Subsidized and Unsubsidized Loans, and Federal Work-Study.

Military and veterans. American National University is approved by the State Approving Agency for the education and training of eligible veterans and their dependents. Military education benefits include the Montgomery GI Bill®, the Post-9/11 GI Bill®, the Yellow Ribbon Program and Military Tuition Assistance; ANU's Blue Ribbon Grant provides up to 35% of the total amount paid toward direct educational costs (up to $18,000) after military education benefits are exhausted.

Institutional grants. ANU institutional aid includes the Business Partnership Grant, President's Grant, Private Loan Supplemental Grant, Refer a Friend Grant ($750), Workforce Development Grant, University Transfer Grant and ANU Legacy Merit Scholarship, each subject to its eligibility terms and available funding.

Kentucky residents. Residents of the Commonwealth of Kentucky may also qualify for the College Access Program (CAP) grant (maximum $5,300 for 2026-27), the Go Higher Grant (up to $1,000) and the Kentucky Educational Excellence Scholarship (KEES).

Where could your degree take you?

• Medical laboratory technician (hospital laboratories)
• Clinics
• Public health laboratories
• Research institutions
• Pharmaceutical companies

Certifications and licensure.

• National certification examination for medical laboratory technicians (preparation)

ANU publishes an MLT State Consumer Disclosure (https://an.edu/bfd_download/mlt-state-consumer-disclosure/); for example, the program does not meet California or Louisiana licensure requirements.

High Tech, High Touch. Our eLearning environment utilizes advanced technology for a highly interactive experience. We offer much more than simply an "online degree", but rather a holistic educational experience combining multiple modes of course delivery with comprehensive financial aid, student services, library resources, and career services support.

Global Meet. Access to education and career counseling services from anywhere is a key component of our Global eUniversity: admission counseling, student services, financial aid planning, career counseling and academic advising through live video, live chat, phone, email, web portal, or in person at one of our learning sites.

Global Teach. We provide educational services at the university level anywhere you are located: through e-books, virtual labs, online research libraries and databases.

Global Learn. eLearning takes the distance out of "distance learning" by providing the environment we're famous for through online delivery combining Canvas LMS (learning management system) with Global Learn Video Conferencing. For certain healthcare programs, such as our medical assisting and pharmacy technician programs, each student is provided with a lab kit, with which they complete assignments while under the watchful eyes of their instructors.