Program Details

The Medical Laboratory Science Program takes 12 months to complete, with an entry date in late June or early July; up to 12 students are admitted each year.

In addition, a class with an entry date in early January will be offered with a minimum of two students enrolling.

Tuition and Other Expenses

Tuition is $3,000 for the year and is payable in three installments as follows:

• $500.00 payable upon acceptance (non refundable),  
• $1,000.00 payable upon enrollment (50% refunded if student withdraws within 6 weeks of enrollment, and  
• $1,500.00 payable at the start of the Clinical Phase (non refundable).  

Students are responsible for their own housing, transportation, and other personal expenses. Meals are available in the hospital cafeterias at reasonable cost.

Health insurance coverage is available through the hospital's group plan at a moderate cost; all students are required to have coverage.

North Carolina residents may wish to consider applying for a state program which provides forgivable loans to students in medical technology who work in a licensed NC hospital after graduation. This program, called NC Scholarship-Loans for Health, Science and Math, was formerly known as the North Carolina Medical Student Loan Program and is administered by the NC State Education Assistance Authority. Additional financial assistance is available from a variety of sources. For more information, contact your college or university financial aid office.

Upon acceptance into the program, all students must have a physical examination and drug screening test prior to enrollment. Forms will be provided to be completed by the student's physician and returned to the office of the program director.

Students can be treated for minor illnesses in The Medical Center's Employee Health Clinic during clinic hours. Medical expenses resulting from treatment other than that provided by the clinic must be paid by the student.

Evaluation

The minimum pass level for each course (both clinical and classroom, or didactic, courses) is a score of 80% of the total points allotted.

In the didactic courses, points include scores from weekly tests, practicals, a final exam, and a behavioral evaluation.

In the clinical courses, there are oral and written quizzes along with a practical examination given at the end of each "bench rotation" (usually weekly). At the end of each clinical rotation (or more often if needed), the section manager also completes a behavioral evaluation form on each student.

A computerized comprehensive examination takes place at the completion of both the clinical and didactic sections of the program. The grade for this is included in the "Special Studies" grade of the clinical course and is recorded as Pass/Fail on the transcript. There is a marked correlation between the score on this exam and performance on the national certification exam administered by the ASCP.

Combined Degree Program

The program is affiliated with a number of area colleges and universities which offer a combined degree.

Student Withdrawal

Students who for any reason desire to withdraw from the program are expected to discuss this with the program director or medical advisor and notify the program in writing. If withdrawal occurs within six weeks of enrollment, the student will not be counted as having enrolled. If withdrawal occurs after the six-week probationary period, the student will receive grades of "W" if passing, and "WF" if failing.