Medical Technology Degree Options

3 + 1 Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) Option

Those who select the 3+1 CLS Option spend the first three years on the University campus. During this time, they complete the fundamental and specialty courses to prepare for their fourth year of study. This fourth year, called a clinical practicum, is completed at a teaching hospital accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Students may obtain Clinical Practicum positions through application to accredited teaching hospitals. Michigan Tech is affiliated with NAACLS accredited CLS/MT programs in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Washington DC..

The 3+1 students apply for a practicum at one of our affiliates. The practicum consists of academic studies combined with extensive "hands-on" experience in a clinical laboratory. After successful completion of both University and hospital training, the student receives a bachelor's degree in CLS. This qualifies the student to take an examination for national certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist.

4 + 1 Clinical Laboratory Science (Medical Technology) Option

Students choosing the 4+1 CLS Option spend four years completing studies on the University campus and then receive a bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science.

Although hospital training is not a requirement for this degree, most of these graduates also complete a clinical practicum at a NAACLS accredited hospital. Most of our 4+1 students apply for a practicum at one of our hospital affiliates; however, some of them choose to train at non-affiliated NAACLS accredited programs elsewhere in the nation. This qualifies them to take an examination for national certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist.

During the four years these students spend on campus, they complete the same fundamental and specialty courses as students in the 3+1 CLS Option. The clinical practicum, if completed, is also the same.

The difference between this and the 3+1 CLS Option is that students selecting the 4+1 Option have an additional year of on-campus education allowing access to additional studies in biochemical research, microbiology, and business/management skills.

Coursework, available to 4+1 CLS Option students, includes Molecular Biology Techniques, Clinical Laboratory Administration and Management, Virology, and Economics of Healthcare. Michigan Tech is affiliated with NAACLS accredited CLS/MT programs in Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Washington DC..

4 + 1 Teacher Certification Option

The most significant difference between this option and the 4+1 CLS Program is that the additional year of university study is spent taking education courses that will qualify the graduate to teach high school courses such as biology or chemistry.

Students completing this program receive both a bachelor's degree in CLS and secondary school teacher certification. In addition, these graduates may complete a clinical practicum at a NAACLS accredited hospital to become qualified to take an examination for national certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist/Medical Technologist.

3 +1 Histotechnology Option

Those who select the 3+1 Histotechnology Option spend the first three years on the University campus. During this time, they complete the fundamental and specialty courses to prepare for their fourth year of study. This fourth year, called a histotechnology clinical practicum, is completed at a teaching hospital accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for the Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Students may obtain Clinical Practicum positions through application to accredited teaching hospitals. Michigan Tech is affiliated with NAACLS-accredited CLS hospital programs in Michigan and Wisconsin, some of which have both CLS and Histotechnology Programs.

The 3+1 students apply for a practicum at one of our CLS Program affiliates. The practicum consists of academic studies combined with extensive "hands-on" experience in tissue preparation and study at a medical histology laboratory.

After successful completion of both University and hospital training, the student receives a bachelor's degree in CLS. This qualifies the student to take an examination for national certification as a Histologic Technician or a Histotechnologist.

4 + 1 Histotechnology Option

Students choosing the 4+1 Histotechnology Option spend four years completing studies on the University campus and then receive a bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science with an Option in Histotechnology. Although hospital training is not a requirement for this degree, these graduates are encouraged to complete a histotechnology clinical practicum at an NAACLS accredited hospital. This qualifies them to take an examination for national certification as a Histologic Technician or a Histotechnologist.

During the four years these students spend on campus, they complete the same fundamental and specialty courses as students in the 3+1 Histotechnology Option. The clinical practicum, if completed, is also the same. The difference between this and the 3+1 Histotechnology Option is that students selecting the 4+1 Option have an additional year of on-campus education allowing access to additional studies in biochemical research and management.

3 + 1 Cytotechnology Option

Those who select the 3+1 Cytotechnology Option spend the first three years on the University campus. During this time, they complete the fundamental and specialty courses, which all 3+1 students complete in the CLS Degree Program, to prepare for their fourth year of study. This fourth year, called a cytotechnology clinical practicum, is completed at a teaching hospital accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education programs (CAAHEP). Students may obtain Clinical Practicum positions through application to accredited teaching hospitals. Michigan Tech is affiliated with CAAHEP accredited programs in Wisconsin and Minnesota.

The 3+1 cytotechnology students apply for a practicum at one of our CLS Program CAAHEP-accredited affiliates. The practicum consists of academic studies combined with extensive "hands-on" microscope experience in examination of slides to help diagnose malignancies and other cell abnormalities. After successful completion of both University and hospital training, the student receives a bachelor's degree in CLS. This qualifies the student to take an examination for national certification as a Cytotechnologist.

4 + 1 Cytotechnology Option

Students choosing the 4+1 Cytotechnology Option spend four years completing studies on the University campus and then receive a bachelor's degree in Clinical Laboratory Science with an Option in Cytotechnology. Although hospital training is not a requirement for this degree, these graduates are encouraged to complete a cytotechnology clinical practicum at a CAAHEP-accredited hospital. This qualifies them to take an examination for national certification as a Cytotechnologist.

During the four years these students spend on campus, they complete the same fundamental and specialty courses as students in the 3+1 Cytotechnology Option. The clinical practicum, if completed, is also the same. The difference between this and the 3+1 Cytotechnology Option is that students selecting the 4+1 Option have an additional year of on-campus education allowing access to additional studies in biochemical research, microscopy, and management. Coursework, available to 4+1 Cytotechnology students, includes Fundamental Electron Microscopy. Michigan Tech is affiliated with CAAHEP accredited programs in Wisconsin and Minnesota.