Lab Technician is a Certificate program offered by Fortis College in Wayne, NJ. The program takes 45 weeks to complete, with a total tuition of $22,302.
Program Overview
The Lab Technician program prepares students for entry-level research, manufacturing, and quality-control positions in academic and industrial biotechnology facilities. Students begin with Standard Laboratory Operating Procedures — learning to function efficiently and safely in a lab and to apply scientific methodology — then progress to advanced molecular work.
Advanced coursework covers protein production, DNA studies, and bio-manufacturing using current equipment such as spectrophotometers, electrophoretic gel boxes, and thermocyclers. Students build laboratory, critical-thinking, and communication skills used across the biotechnology industry.
What sets this Program apart
- Earn a Lab Technician certificate in about 45 weeks.
- Hands-on training with spectrophotometers, gel electrophoresis, and thermocyclers.
- Advanced molecular work — recombinant protein production, DNA studies, and biomanufacturing.
- English composition and speech courses build job-readiness and workplace communication.
- Includes a laboratory-technician externship before graduation.
General Requirements
- A high school diploma or its recognised equivalent, with documentation. Foreign credentials must be translated into English and evaluated as equivalent or higher by a NACES-member…
- You must be at least 17 years old when your program of study starts.
- Complete an applicant information form and interview with an admissions advisor or other administrative staff.
- Achieve the minimum score on the Wonderlic Scholastic Level Exam (SLE). For Medical Assisting at this campus the published minimum is 11. A passing score is valid for three years.
- Meet all financial obligations and complete the tuition payment requirements.
- Sign the Fortis enrollment agreement once accepted.
Application Process
- 1Speak to an admissions advisorEvery applicant is assigned an admissions advisor who explains the curriculum and policies and books the interviews you need.
- 2Submit your documentationProvide proof of high school completion and complete the applicant information form. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure Fortis receives every required document.
- 3Sit the Wonderlic SLETake the Scholastic Level Exam and reach this program’s published minimum. Accommodations must be requested under the catalog’s policy — campus staff cannot approve them.
- 4Financial aidFortis participates in federal student aid including Pell Grants, Direct Loans, PLUS Loans and Federal Work-Study. File the FAFSA and meet the campus financial aid office.FAFSA Code for Fortis Institute in Wayne: 014968Complete FAFSA Application
- 5Sign the enrollment agreementAdmission decisions weigh your fulfilment of the requirements, your previous educational records and your career interests.
Program Schedule
Classes may be scheduled between 7:00 a.m. and 11:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and 7:00 a.m. and 5:00 p.m. on Saturday. Required externship hours may be scheduled outside of typical class sessions.
The program is 41.5 semester credits (980 contact hours; 1,306 total clock hours including recognized homework), completed in 45 weeks (day), on-campus.
- December 09th, 2026
Required Courses
| Subject # | Name | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| BT101 | Standard Lab Operating Procedures I | 3 |
| BT102 | Standard Lab Operating Procedures Ii | 2 |
| BT103 | Recombinant Protein Production I | 3.5 |
| BT104 | Recombinant Protein Production Ii | 1.5 |
| BT105 | Biomanufacturing I | 3.5 |
| BT106 | Biomanufacturing Ii | 1.5 |
| BT107 | Advanced Lab Techniques I | 3.5 |
| BT108 | Advanced Lab Techniques Ii | 4.5 |
| SC010 | Chemistry Basics I | 1 |
| SC020 | Chemistry Basics Ii | 1 |
| SC030 | Microbiology | 2.5 |
| SC040 | Biomedical Ethics | 2.5 |
| SC050 | Introduction To Pharmacology | 1 |
| CM010 | English Composition I | 2.5 |
| CM020 | English Composition Ii | 1 |
| CM030 | English Composition Iii | 1 |
| CM040 | Speech I | 1 |
| CM050 | Speech Ii | 1 |
| EX100 | Laboratory Technician Externship | 4 |
| Totals | 41.5 |
Location
Why Accreditation Is Important
Attending an accredited program means your education has met independently reviewed quality standards designed to protect students.
Fortis Institute in Wayne holds institutional accreditation from the Accrediting Bureau of Health Education Schools (ABHES).
- A reliable indicator of educational quality
- Eligible for federal Title IV financial aid
- Independently reviewed against published standards
- Recognised by employers in the field
Accreditations
Student Demographics
These are demographics for all students at the Fortis Institute in Wayne Campus (IPEDS, 2024).
Cost of Attendance and Financial Aid Information
The total program cost of $25,623 covers tuition plus the required fees and materials below:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Tuition | $22,302 |
| Administrative & technology fee | $200 |
| Book charges | $580 |
| Lab & instructional material fee | $1,600 |
| Laptop computer | $941 |
| Total program cost | $25,623 |
Financial aid is available to those who qualify. Fortis participates in federal student aid programs including Pell Grants, Federal Direct Loans, Direct PLUS Loans for parents, and Federal Work-Study. Complete the FAFSA and speak with the campus financial aid office to learn what you are eligible for.
Curriculum
| Course Code | Course Title | Clock Hours | Semester Credits |
|---|---|---|---|
| BT101 | Standard Lab Operating Procedures I | 80 | 3 |
| BT102 | Standard Lab Operating Procedures II | 40 | 2 |
| BT103 | Recombinant Protein Production I | 80 | 3.5 |
| BT104 | Recombinant Protein Production II | 40 | 1.5 |
| BT105 | Biomanufacturing I | 80 | 3.5 |
| BT106 | Biomanufacturing II | 40 | 1.5 |
| BT107 | Advanced Lab Techniques I | 80 | 3.5 |
| BT108 | Advanced Lab Techniques II | 100 | 4.5 |
| SC010 | Chemistry Basics I | 20 | 1 |
| SC020 | Chemistry Basics II | 20 | 1 |
| SC030 | Microbiology | 40 | 2.5 |
| SC040 | Biomedical Ethics | 40 | 2.5 |
| SC050 | Introduction to Pharmacology | 20 | 1 |
| CM010 | English Composition I | 40 | 2.5 |
| CM020 | English Composition II | 20 | 1 |
| CM030 | English Composition III | 20 | 1 |
| CM040 | Speech I | 20 | 1 |
| CM050 | Speech II | 20 | 1 |
| EX100 | Laboratory Technician Externship | 180 | 4 |
| Total | 980 | 41.5 |
Career Outcomes
Graduates are qualified to seek entry-level positions as Lab Technicians in pharmaceutical, biomanufacturing, medical-laboratory, and research settings — working as laboratory technicians, diagnostic technicians, laboratory assistants, specimen processors, and quality-control laboratory operators.
What to expect as a Fortis student
Fortis is a career-focused college. The Medical Assisting program follows a set schedule and a fixed course sequence, combining classroom instruction with hands-on clinical and laboratory training.
The program concludes with an externship in a healthcare setting, where you apply your training in a real-world environment. Required externship hours must be completed before graduation, and students are not paid for work performed at the externship site.