Medical Laboratory Technician Admissions Guide

Program Duration (Number of Semesters)		Study Mode
Full Time: 6 semesters	Part-Time: 9	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. 
  
  

 

On average, approximately 50 students apply for admission each application period. Of these, approximately 24 are typically accepted.

 

1.   Apply 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 an application to obtain an HCC student ID number: https://prod.applytexas.org/. You will receive a welcome email response from HCC within 48 hours, be sure to save your HCCID-Number or P-Number/D-Number (if you are assigned one). 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. 
If you have not been enrolled for the past 3 semesters and returning to HCC will need to reactivate your HCC student account: Returning Student Readmission | Houston Community College (HCC)
Note: 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.

2.   Apply for Financial Aid
      (this step is applied to students who are seeking Financial Aid):

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, submitting an application early will give you a better chance of securing aid.
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at fafsa.gov,
- 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/

3.   My Eagle HCC account checklist:

Please visit: myeagle.hccs.edu, review and take action on the HCC Policy Checklist and On-Boarding Checklist. Your To-do List may have four types of checklist items in your Student Center including Meningitis Vaccine and Texas Success Initiative requirements:

Meningitis Vaccine – Required for all college students under the age of 22. For more information on requirements, resources & any religious, medical, or online students exemptions, please visit: Meningitis 
Texas Success Initiative requirements – If you have the "Texas Success Initiative College Readiness Requirements" Checklist on your pre-enrollment 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). Please visit Texas Success Initiative Assessment/ Exemption for more information. OR

- Take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2). Please visit: Texas Success Initiative Assessment for more information. 

4.   Meet with HCC Coleman College Advisor:

At least once during the application acceptance period, an applicant must attend an In-Person/Virtual Program Information Session or must meet with an HCC Coleman Pathway Advisor or HCC Coleman Admissions Advisor via the phone or in-person or virtually at least once to ensure they are meeting all of the program admission criteria.
Applicants must submit proof with their program application, and this can be a Peoplesoft Student admin advisee note, email, or any other correspondence from HCC Coleman to the applicant.

5.   Program Information Session:

Attend online program information session at: Medical Laboratory Technician | Houston Community College (HCC) | We are Houston's Community College (hccs.edu). If you have questions regarding the online delivery of program information sessions, please contact via email at: healthscience.info@hccs.edu.

6.   Medical Laboratory Technician Program Application:

In addition to the HCC admission application, you must complete and submit typed  Medical Laboratory Technician program application via email to co.mlabadmit@hccs.edu with:
- Copy of all transcript(s) showing completion of the required prerequisite courses, highly recommended academic courses.
If an applicant has earned a bachelor's or higher degree in a STEM-related field then please submit transcript showing the degree conferred to receive additional points on the application rubric.
- Evidence of HCC Coleman college advisor advisee notes or email
- 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
_{(Please send all of the application documents in one email and label each attachment with the file name.)}
Please refer to the section: Program Application: Academic Course Requirements to learn about prerequisite and academic courses.       

7.   Submit official transcripts:

Please submit your official sealed (unopened) transcript(s) from high school, GED, and any other colleges and/or Universities previously attended. 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 by Mail: Please use the address: Houston Community College, Office of Admissions & Records, P.O. Box 667517, Houston, TX 77266-7517
• 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
  For transferring credits, please visit: https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/transfers/transferring-credits/ for more information in order to apply all possible earned credits toward your future degree plan.
• All foreign transcripts must be evaluated for US equivalency and foreign transcripts must first be evaluated course-by-course by an approved evaluating agency. To find a list of approved evaluation companies, please visit Foreign transcript/ Foreign Credit Evaluators. Then the official evaluation report must submit to HCC. The HCC Internal process can take up to 8 weeks for evaluation and transfer of course credits.
• TSI/Placement Test: Submit your TSIA2 score, not all new students are required to take the Texas Success Initiative Assessment 2.0 (TSIA2). In order to determine your level of college readiness and placement status, you should submit transcript from an accredited college/university/institution where you have satisfactorily completed college-level coursework or score reports from external tests like the SAT, ACT, AP, CLEP, IB, Placements may be set from a variety of sources. Please refer to the link Texas Success Initiative (TSI) College Readiness/ Placement Test to learn about your options/exemptions to complete this requirement.
  
  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 admissions to the  Medical Laboratory Technician program, 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/ 
• International Students: If you are an international student planning to attend HCC on a status F-1, (DACA, refugee, L visa, H visa, ), please visit https://www.hccs.edu/support-services/international- students/.
• Veteran students: Please visit https://hccs.edu/support-services/veteran-affairs/. Download and complete DD Form 214 & SF-180 Form and submit with the application.

 

Course Description	Credit Hour
Student Success Course Required only if new to college or transferring to HCC with less than 12 college-level credits. EDUC 1300 - Learning Framework	3
Cumulative GPA minimum 2.0 or above
Prerequisite Courses Completion of the following courses are mandatory with a minimum grade of ‘C’ by the application deadline. Effective Fall 2024, MLAB 1101 is no longer a required prerequisite course for the Medical Laboratory Technician program. For those students who have not completed MLAB 1101, the course will be offered during the first semester.
MATH 1314 – College Algebra OR HIGHER-LEVEL MATH Recommended to retake, if over 5 years.	3
BIOL 2301 and BIOL 2101 (formerly BIOL 2401) – Anatomy & Physiology I (LEC and LAB) Recommended to retake, if over 5 years.	4
ENGL 1301 - English Composition I	3
Academic Courses Academic courses are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to be taken in advance but are not required for the application. These courses will go towards the completion of the program/degree plan and will give you additional points on your application score.
BIOL 2320 (formerly BIOL 2420) – Microbiology (LEC only)  Recommended to retake, if over 5 years.	3
BIOL 2302 (formerly BIOL 2402) – Anatomy & Physiology II (LEC only) Recommend to retake it, if over 5 years	3
CHEM 1305 and CHEM 1105 (formerly CHEM 1405) (LEC & LAB) OR CHEM 1411 Recommend to retake it, if over 5 years	4
Social/Behavioral Science elective - 3 Credits	3
Humanities/FineArt selective (PHIL 2306 highly recommended) – 3 Credits	3
Recommended Courses Recommended courses are HIGHLY ENCOURAGED to be taken in advance but are not required for the application and will give you additional points on your application score.
HPRS 1201 Introduction to Health Professions	2
BIOL 2102 LAB only (formerly BIOL 2402) – Anatomy & Physiology II Lab only Recommended to retake it, if over 5 years.	1
Any Medical Terminology Course	2-3
BIOL 2120 Microbiology (LAB only) Recommended to retake it, if over 5 years.	1
Advanced Degree Completion: Applicants with a bachelor's or higher degree in STEM related field 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.

 

 

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: 

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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: 

1. Social Security Number Verification
2. Criminal Search (7 yrs. or up to 5 criminal searches)
3. Violent Sexual Offender and Predator Registry Search
4. OIG List of Excluded Individuals/Entities
5. GSA List of Parties Excluded from Federal Programs
6. US Treasury, Office of Foreign Assets Control (OFAC), List of Specially Designated nationals (SDN)
7. State Exclusive List https://hhs.texas.gov/
8. 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 healthscience.info@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. 

 

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 (In District)
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

 

 

Learn more about the degree plan by visiting the HCC Catalog

 

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/

• Scholarships

In addition to federal and state aid, scholarships are a great way to offset all or part of the cost of your education. 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 setup a payment plan, please visit Business Office at HCC Coleman or visit https://www.hccs.edu/applying-and-paying/student-financial-services/ for more 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: coleman.advising@hccs.edu

 

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. Use an electronic keyboard (e.g., 101-key IBM computer keyboard) to operate laboratory instruments and to calculate, record, evaluate, and transmit laboratory information. 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. Travel to numerous clinical laboratory sites for practical experience.
Cognitive Skills
Critical & Analytical Thinking	Independently prepare papers and laboratory reports, and take paper, computer, and laboratory practical examinations. Possess intellectual skills such as comprehension, measurement, mathematical calculation, reasoning, integration, analysis, comparison, self- expression, and criticism. Exercise sufficient judgment to recognize and correct performance deviations.
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. Abide by safety policies and procedures in classroom, laboratory, and clinical facility settings. Maintain awareness of alarms and emergency signals, and respond appropriately (e.g., monitors, fire alarms, hospital codes, etc.).
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. Review and comprehend tests, numbers, and graphs displayed in print and on a video monitor.
Perception	Characterize the color, odor, clarity, and viscosity of biologicals, reagents, and/or chemical reaction products. Employ a chemical grade binocular microscope to distinguish among fine in structural and color (hue, shading, and intensity) differences of microscopic specimens.
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. Demonstrate English language proficiency with patients/clients, faculty members, fellow students, staff, and other health care professionals (e.g., use communication that is clear and easy to understand). Use proper communication techniques (e.g., correct grammar, punctuation, and spelling) in printed and typed correspondence. Correspond via telephone using proper technique and etiquette.
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). Demonstrate flexibility and creativity and learn to function in the face of uncertainties and ambiguities inherent in the clinical problems of many patients/clients. Adapt effectively to professional and technical change and increasing tension levels in a variety of situations. Adapt to working with unpleasant biologicals.
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. Critically evaluate own performance, accept constructive criticism and look for ways to improve (e.g., participate in enriched educational activities). Evaluate the performance of fellow students and tactfully offer constructive comments. Monitor and appropriately regulate own emotions to maintain composure, without prompting from others (e.g., control anger and avoid aggressive behavior, even in very stressful or demanding situations). Tolerate taxing workloads and function effectively under stress. Focus sustained attention on tasks. Recognize constructive criticism and performance feedback as avenues for improvement.
Interpersonal Skills	Support and promote the activities of fellow students and of healthcare professionals. Develop mature, sensitive, and effective relationships with healthcare team members and patients/clients.
Ethics & Professionalism	Demonstrate emotional health necessary to effectively employ intellect and exercise appropriate judgment. Protect patients’/clients’ privacy and confidential information (e.g., adhere to HIPAA restrictions).