Program Details
Medical Laboratory Technology, A.A.S.
Associate of Applied ScienceNorthern Virginia Community College
The curriculum is designed to prepare students to perform essential laboratory testing on blood and body fluids that is critical to the detection, diagnosis, and treatment of disease. In a medical laboratory, the medical laboratory technician (MLT) is part of a team of highly skilled pathologists, technologists, and phlebotomists working together to determine the presence, extent or absence of disease, and helping to evaluate the effectiveness of treatment. This program emphasizes 'hands-on' practice of laboratory methods in a state-of-the-art laboratory at the Medical Education Campus in Springfield, followed by clinical experience at various affiliating healthcare organizations.
Upon completion of the program, graduates will be eligible to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification examination and other national certification examinations offered at the technician level.
Credit for Prior Learning: Students in this program who have completed a military laboratory training program and hold Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Certification from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification (BOC) are eligible for credit for prior learning in the major coursework. See an academic advisor for further information.
Program Credit Requirements

If you wish to see how your credits may apply, you can:
- Contact the institution where a staff member can help you map your credits to the requirements for this program.
- View the program requirements listed in the institution's catalog.
Program Overview & Guidance

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Is This Degree Right For Me? | |
What Should I Consider When Selecting Courses |
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Are there other program requirements beyond specific courses? | |
Do More With Your Degree | |
Program Successes & Highlights |
What If I Have An Associate Degree Or Credit For Prior Learning?

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Associate Transfer Degree Completion | Students who have graduated with at least an associate or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited United States institution of higher education are considered to have fulfilled NOVA's SDV requirement. Any other course transfers are evaluated based on the student's transcript, https://www.nvcc.edu/cro/transfercredit/index.html |
Completion of Associate Degree Concurrent with High School |
Credit for Prior Learning | NOVA strives to provide students with opportunities to receive credit for prior learning while still maintaining the integrity of our academic programs. Credit for prior learning (CPL) generally refers to the process of granting college credit for learning gained in nontraditional. ways; https://www.nvcc.edu/prior-learning/ |
Did You Know That... |
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College Level Information

Transfer Guidance Element | What You Need to Know |
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Is This College Right For Me? | Our classes feature up-to-date technology and course content to prepare you for a competitive job market; We also offer courses that will transfer to colleges all over Virginia and the nation. In fact, NOVA has guaranteed admission agreements with more than 40 colleges and universities for students who meet specific requirements. |
Transfer Student Catalog Year | Catalog year is determined by first semester of program placement. |
Applying for Guaranteed Admissions | https://www.nvcc.edu/gaa/ |
Where Can This Degree Transfer

Institution | Title | Degree | Award Name | Award Level |
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Virginia Western Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Laurel Ridge Community College | Associate in Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
J Sargeant Reynolds Community College | Associate of Applied Science in Medical Laboratory Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Tidewater Community College | Associate of Applied Science - Medical Laboratory Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Wytheville Community College | Associate of Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Radford University | BS in Medical Laboratory Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
Old Dominion University | Medical Lab Science-BSMLS | Bachelor | BS in Medical Lab Science | 4-Year |
Eastern Mennonite University | Bachelor of Science Clinical Laboratory Sciences | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
The University of Virginia's College at Wise | Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences, Major in Medical Technology | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
Virginia Commonwealth University | Medical Laboratory Sciences, Bachelor of Science | Bachelor | Bachelor of Science | 4-Year |
Central Virginia Community College | AAS in Medical Laboratoy Technology | Associate | Associate of Applied Science | 2-Year |
Careers Where This Degree Applies

O*Net Code | Name | Description | Parent |
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25-1071.00 | Health Specialties Teachers, Postsecondary | Teach courses in health specialties, in fields such as dentistry, laboratory technology, medicine, pharmacy, public health, therapy, and veterinary medicine. | Educational Instruction and Library Occupations |
29-2012.01 | Histology Technicians | Prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May assist with research studies. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-2012.00 | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians | Perform routine medical laboratory tests for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May work under the supervision of a medical technologist. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-2011.01 | Cytogenetic Technologists | Analyze chromosomes or chromosome segments found in biological specimens, such as amniotic fluids, bone marrow, solid tumors, and blood to aid in the study, diagnosis, classification, or treatment of inherited or acquired genetic diseases. Conduct analyses through classical cytogenetic, fluorescent in situ hybridization (FISH) or array comparative genome hybridization (aCGH) techniques. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-2011.02 | Cytotechnologists | Stain, mount, and study cells to detect evidence of cancer, hormonal abnormalities, and other pathological conditions following established standards and practices. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-2011.04 | Histotechnologists | Apply knowledge of health and disease causes to evaluate new laboratory techniques and procedures to examine tissue samples. Process and prepare histological slides from tissue sections for microscopic examination and diagnosis by pathologists. May solve technical or instrument problems or assist with research studies. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |
29-2011.00 | Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists | Perform complex medical laboratory tests for diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of disease. May train or supervise staff. | Healthcare Practitioners and Technical Occupations |