Medical Laboratory Technology

Apply to Medical Laboratory Technology

To join this program, you must apply for admission. This moderately competitive program accepts 20-24 students every fall term. We usually receive about 35-40 applications for these spots. The selection process is based on a point system – see below.

Questions? Schedule a visit or talk with a program advisor.

How to apply

  1. Apply to PCC

    Applying to PCC is free and only takes a few minutes. Complete this step as soon as possible so you can start using PCC resources.
    Apply to PCC

  2. Application timeline
    Term you want to start Apply to Medical Laboratory Technology
    Fall 2024 Closed
    Fall 2025 March 10 – May 2
    Take prerequisites

    All prerequisite classes must be passed with a grade “C” or above by the end of summer term. If you have met the core requirements of any of these classes at other colleges, contact healthca@pcc.edu to have your transcripts unofficially evaluated.

    • WR 121: English Composition
    • MTH 95: Intermediate Algebra
    • CH 104, 105 and 106: Allied Health Chemistry (will also accept CH 221-223)
    • BI 121 and 122: Intro Human Anatomy/Phys I and II (will also accept BI 231-233 or BI 211-213)
    • MLT 110: Introduction to Medical Lab Technology
  3. Check basic qualifications

    This program includes or requires educational experiences that take place in clinical/field environments. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) Public Health Division requires students in clinical/field environments to comply with all vaccination requirements. Clinical sites may have additional requirements, including COVID-19 vaccination. Students are also required to pass a criminal background check and drug screenings. If you have any questions, please contact healthca@pcc.edu.

  4. Prepare essays

    Write answers to the following questions. Each response should be 200-400 words. You’ll submit these with your application, below. Be sure to include examples to support each response. Need a bit of support to get your ideas from your thoughts to the paper? The career center at Cascade Campus can help. Make an appointment for some guidance, a bit of proofreading and idea brainstorming. Contact connect2@pcc.edu or 971-722-5600 and ask for an appointment with Tanya Maldonado.

    • Medical Laboratory Technicians work behind the scenes in many hospitals and reference laboratories. They have good hand-eye coordination, great attention to detail, specialized scientific knowledge, and oftentimes have little to no direct patient contact. How did you come across this career and what made you decide to enter the laboratory field?
    • The MLT Program is an intense in-person program that can make it challenging for students to juggle class preparation, attending in-person classes, and finding time for sufficient studying along with personal commitments. The below term schedule is representative of the typical course load in the program:
      • MLT 241: Immunohematology I
        • Lectures (in-person): Monday from 9a-11:50a
        • Lab (in-person): Mondays or Tuesday 1p-3:50p
      • MLT 252: Hematology II
        • Lectures (in-person): Tuesdays from 9a-11:50a
        • Lab (in-person): Wednesday or Thursday from 1p-3:50p
      • MLT 261: Clinical Microbiology I
        • Lectures (in-person): Wednesday from 8a-11:50a
        • Lab (in-person): Thursday and Friday from 1p-3:50p
      • In addition to the above schedule, students may also need to complete general education classes.

      Please write an essay explaining what time management strategies you will use to stay on top of commuting, attending in-person classes, course prep and study time of 3 hours/week for each course, alongside self-care and any other personal commitments. Please address each of the above topics in your essay.

  5. Submit application

    The MLT program application is currently closed.

After you apply

You’ll be notified about your application status by one month after the close of the application period. Check your MyPCC email: all communication is done through your PCC email account.

If you have been accepted into the program, you will be invited to a mandatory, face to face orientation in September. Exact date will be announced this spring.

How are applicants selected?

Students will receive admission points for grades in prerequisite classes and a variety of short answer essay questions:

  • Prerequisite coursework GPA – 20 points max
  • Essay question 1 – 20 points max
  • Essay question 2 – 20 points max

Applicants who qualify, but do not have the top points for admission will be notified of their status as a program alternate. Often, alternates are eventually selected for the program. Alternates will be listed in order of points, and in the case of applicants receiving the same points, the order of applications were received by admissions.