The clinical laboratory scientist is an essential member of the health care team, performing a myriad of laboratory procedures aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

Degree and Certificate Offered

The School of Health Sciences offers the following programs in Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology):

The programs are administered by:

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Roster of Faculty

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Objectives

The M. D. Anderson Program in Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) is designed to prepare students to perform clinical laboratory analysis, make appropriate decisions, and solve problems to become successful entry-level clinical laboratory scientists.

The program provides instruction and training in all the major areas of the clinical laboratory through both didactic and clinical training. Students may enter the program to pursue a Bachelor of Science degree, as a 3+1 student from an affiliated university, or to pursue a postbaccalaureate certificate.

The clinical laboratory scientist is an essential member of the health care team, performing a myriad of laboratory procedures aimed at the diagnosis and treatment of disease.

The technical procedures and complex instruments used in modern laboratory medicine require well-educated and technically proficient scientists. Clinical laboratory scientists are problem solvers, technologists who use their knowledge and technical skills to operate and repair laboratory instruments, monitor quality control programs, produce high-quality patient test results, and correlate test results with disease processes.

The primary goal of the Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) program is provide the community with competent, entry-level clinical laboratory scientists (medical technologists) who are prepared to meet the qualifications for certification in their profession.

While many scientists choose to work in hospital laboratories, others opt to develop new testing procedures in diagnostic and research laboratories. Scientists with leadership ability and administrative skills manage the laboratory operations. Those interested in computer technology use their laboratory knowledge and skills in the management of laboratory information systems. Others provide educational programs to prepare the scientists for the future. There are even opportunities for scientists to serve as self-employed consultants.

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Requirements for Admission

Students seeking admission to the program may pursue a Bachelor of Science degree from M. D. Anderson, be a 3+1 student seeking a baccalaureate degree from an affiliated university, or be a postbaccalaureate student seeking a certificate. Students seeking a Bachelor of Science degree may enter as a senior.

The Program of Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) is currently affiliated with The University of Texas at Austin, The University of Houston–Central Campus, The University of North Texas, Lamar University, Baylor University, and Texas Woman's University.

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Selection Process

Applicants should begin the application process 9-12 months prior to the year they expect to enter the program. Application and supporting documents should be submitted by January 1. Personal interviews begin in the winter preceding the August entry date. Students will be selected by mid-February for the August class.

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Nonacademic Requirements

In addition to the nonacademic requirements outlined in the Admission policy, graduates from the M. D. Anderson Program of Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) must be able to:

Visually identify cellular components and microorganisms using a microscope.

Discriminate and visually interpret reactions on slides and plates and in test tubes.

Demonstrate the manual dexterity required to process specimens; operate, maintain, and repair laboratory equipment; and carry out all aspects of laboratory testing procedures.

Ambulate sufficiently to collect blood specimens from patients throughout the hospital in an established time frame.

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Bachelor of Science Degree

Applicants to the Program of Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) must satisfy the following requirements for admission to the Bachelor of Science degree program:

All prerequisite coursework must be from a regionally accredited college or university.

The applicant must have satisfactorily completed all prerequisite courses listed prior to beginning the course of study. These courses must be lecture and laboratory courses acceptable toward a degree by majors in those fields and cannot be survey courses.

A minimum grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale both overall and in science courses is required to be considered for admission.

Texas Success Initiative (TSI) - All applicants must provide proof of successful assessment of the Texas Success Initiative (TSI). Applicants who have graduated with an associate or baccalaureate degree are exempt from TSI. Proof of an applicant's readiness to enroll in college level coursework will be determined by the Registrar's Office based upon review of official transcripts from previously attended institutions.

Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) - Applicants from countries where English is not the native language may be required to take the TOEFL. A minimum score of 550 on the paper-based test or 213 on the computer-based version is required.

An early acceptance plan is available to qualified applicants who are seeking a baccalaureate degree. For more information, please see Early Acceptance Track.

To enroll as a senior, credit is required in the following prerequisite courses:

Recommended courses for electives: upper-division biology (e.g., molecular biology) and chemistry courses, computer science, statistics, management, and education.

Applicants are evaluated on several factors. These include overall grade point average, science grade point average, grade point average over the last 60 hours, verbal and written communication skills, personal interviews, and letters of recommendation.

Students without a baccalaureate degree who are admitted to the program are candidates for the Bachelor of Science degree conferred by M. D. Anderson. Students who enter the program from another institution with which M. D. Anderson has an affiliation agreement must be eligible to receive a degree conferred by the affiliated university upon completion of the program.

Students with a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university may receive a second baccalaureate degree from M. D. Anderson by meeting the requirements outlined above, or may complete the program as certificate candidates.

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Postbaccalaureate Certificate

Individuals who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited college or university may be admitted as a postbaccalaureate student and work toward a certificate in Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology). Coursework is the same for all students enrolled in the degree or certificate program.

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Advanced Placement

Students accepted into the Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) program who feel that they have achieved the objectives of one or more courses through previous academic work or field experience may receive a course credit by achieving a grade of 70 or better on all of the following:

• All written exams
• All practical exams
• Clinical evaluation assessment
• Evaluation of unknown specimens, where applicable

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Graduation

Graduation occurs on the third Friday in August. Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the national certification exams given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, Inc. (NCA). These exams are given throughout the year. Please check with the program director for application deadlines.

Upon passing the certification examination(s), the student is considered a certified Clinical Laboratory Scientist (Medical Technologist). The awarding of the degree or certificate is not contingent upon a student passing a national certification examination.

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Curriculum

The 12-month Program of Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) is a highly intensive course of study composed of didactic and clinical training. Formal courses are presented in clinical hematology and hemostasis, clinical chemistry, clinical microscopy, microbiology, immunohematology, immunology, molecular diagnostics, human tissue typing, and management.

This curriculum conforms to the standards published and monitored by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). For each course, students will receive classroom lectures, laboratory demonstrations and technical experience.

This course of study will provide the student with:

• Fundamental knowledge to enter the profession as a capable clinical laboratory scientist
• Highly specialized skills that will open an expansive horizon of career opportunities

The M. D. Anderson Program of Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) is accredited by the NAACLS, which is located at 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, IL 60631-3415. The phone number is (773) 714-8880.

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Course Descriptions

HS 4100 Issues in Health Care Ethics (1 semester credit hour)
This course content is designed to establish a foundation and set parameters of professional practice for health care professionals. The emphasis will be on developing the background for the resolution of ethical dilemmas through ethical reasoning, ethical obligations in health professional-patient relationships and just allocation of scarce health care resources.

HS 4101 Diversity and Cultural Competence (1 semester credit hour)
This course content is designed to create an awareness of ethnocentrism and a beginning understanding of cultural similarities and diversity. It provides the student with knowledge of the concepts of cultural relativity, cultural integration, and variation in cultural values, organization and institutions.

MT 4105 Urinalysis (1 semester credit hour)
A review of the anatomy and physiology of the kidney and the formation, elimination, and composition of urine and body fluids. Interpretation of urinary elements, chemical assays, and the correlation with normal and abnormal physiology. Prerequisite: MT 4300

MT 4110 Molecular Genetics Technology (1 semester credit hour)
The study of molecular diagnostic procedures utilizing recombinant DNA technology and its application to the many aspects of the clinical laboratory. Prerequisite: MT 4242, 4243, 4300

MT 4131 Immunohematology Student Laboratory (1 semester credit hour)
Laboratory emphasizes hands-on instruction in basic blood bank techniques, resolution of compatibility problems, and advanced antibody identification methods. Corequisite: MT 4230

MT 4135 Clinical Immunology (1 semester credit hour)
An introductory study of modern immunologic procedures used in transplantation, monitoring, and the evaluation of patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome and malignant disease.

MT 4140 Fundamentals of Hematology (1 semester credit hour)
A comprehensive study of the formation of blood cells, functions of the hematopoietic system, related hematological disease, and instrumentation and manual procedures to quantify and identify cells. Analysis of the maturation cell sequence in peripheral blood and the morphological characteristics of these cells.

MT 4141 Applied Hematology (1 semester credit hour)
Clinical laboratory study of blood cell counts and special procedures, using manual and automated methodology. Operation, maintenance, and troubleshooting of the Coulter high volume analyzer. Corequisite: MT 4140

MT 4145 Hemostasis (1 semester credit hour)
An analysis of the mechanisms of hemostasis, the analytical techniques used to measure coagulation, and the correlation of test results with hemostatic disorders. Prerequisite: MT 4140

MT 4146 Clinical Hemostasis (1 semester credit hour)
The study of manual and automated instrumentation used in a modern hematology laboratory. Corequisite: MT 4145

MT 4147 Introduction to Cytogenetics (1 semester credit hour)
An introduction to the principles and procedures used in cytogenetic analysis, emphasizing the chromosomal anomalies associated with hematological disorders. Prerequisite: MT 4140, 4141, 4242, 4243

MT 4150 Phlebotomy Principles (1 semester credit hour)
This course emphasizes professional conduct and adherence to safety regulations and policies. Course includes practical experience in patient blood procurement by venipuncture and microcollection techniques.

MT 4170 Special Topics I (1 semester credit hour)
A review of the principles of mathematics and statistics used in clinical laboratories. Course presentation includes introduction to the selection and operation of a laboratory information system.

MT 4175 Independent Research Project (1 semester credit hour)
An independent study that may be a case study analysis, laboratory test procedure evaluation, or investigation of a laboratory problem.

MT 4201 Applied Clinical Chemistry (2 semester credit hours)
Laboratory studies on body fluid changes related to pathological conditions. Operation, maintenance, and problem-solving procedures on a wide range of instruments. Emphasis on high-volume analyses. Corequisite: MT 4300

MT 4202 Special Chemistry (2 semester credit hours)
Study of special chemistry techniques, including electrophoresis, radioimmunoassay, enzyme immunoassay, and nephelometry. Prerequisite: MT 4300

MT 4203 Applied Special Chemistry (2 semester credit hours)
Clinical laboratory study on body fluids using advanced techniques. Corequisite: MT 4202

MT 4220 Medical Microbiology (2 semester credit hours)
A comprehensive study of clinically important aerobic and anaerobic bacteria.

MT 4230 Immunohematology (2 semester credit hours)
An in-depth study of the basic principles of immunology, human blood group systems, blood group genetics, and the theory and application of blood bank techniques.

MT 4232 Clinical Immunohematology (2 semester credit hours)
Clinical laboratory study of the serodiagnostic studies of blood group identification and transfusion service procedures. Prerequisite: MT 4131, 4230

MT 4242 Advanced Hematology (2 semester credit hours)
A study of the classification of hematological disorders. Prerequisite: MT 4140, 4141

MT 4243 Advanced Clinical Hematology (2 semester credit hours)
Manual cell counting and morphological interpretation in blood and bone marrow cells. Corequisite: MT 4140, 4141, 4242

MT 4260 Capstone Seminar (2 semester credit hours)
This course provides an integration of the information obtained by laboratory testing in the various laboratory disciplines. Prerequisite: MT 4110, 4140, 4145, 4202, 4300

MT 4300 Fundamentals of Clinical Chemistry (3 semester credit hours)
A comprehensive study of the methods used to determine the chemical composition of body fluids. Study includes principles of analytical procedures and the correlation of test results with normal and abnormal physiological states.

MT 4321 Clinical Microbiology (3 semester credit hours)
Clinical laboratory study of the utilization of morphological, biochemical, and serological characteristics for microorganism identification. Corequisite: MT 4220

MT 4323 Clinical Misc. Microbiology (3 semester credit hours)
Clinical laboratory study of the specimen, preparation techniques, identification, and clinical manifestations of parasitic diseases and the utilization of morphological and serological techniques to identify viruses. This laboratory session also addresses the isolation and presents the morphological, biochemical, and serological techniques used in the identification of fungi. Corequisite: MT 4220

MT 4371 Special Topics II (3 semester credit hours)
This course covers laboratory management and educational methodologies. It includes management and motivational theories, communication skills, regulatory and accreditation requirements, budget and strategic planning, curriculum design, and examination instruction. Prerequisite: MT 4170

MT 4423 Misc. Microbiology (4 semester credit hours)
Study of protozoan, helminthic, and arthropod parasites, and clinically important viruses of medical significance in humans. Course will also discuss the clinically important fungi and their interaction with the human host and recognized species of mycobacteria that are known to cause disease in human hosts. In addition, the course includes a study of serological techniques used in the identification of fungi. Prerequisite: MT 4220

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