The BS in Medical Technology degree prepares students for the medical profession as Medical Laboratory Scientists through a partnership with an accredited hospital-based Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) internship program. Upon successful completion of the degree requirements, the student will qualify for the examination given by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) for the certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS-ASCP). Students complete 6 semesters of pre-professional courses at FDU before applying to the 12-month, Medical Laboratory Science (MLS) internship program at an accredited hospital, for an additional 32 credits. The hospital internship component of the degree program includes clinical experiences and practicum. Students will learn from practicing professionals, and have access to resources such as lectures, laboratory simulations, and clinical rotations in multiple hospital departments. This experience can be particularly valuable if as student is interested in pursuing a career in a specific area of laboratory medicine. The hospital internship experience, with rotations to multiple departments within the single hospital system, and with many opportunities for hospital personnel to engage the student as a prospective employee, often leads the student to employment in that hospital.  Upon completion of degree requirements, the student will receive a diploma from FDU and a certificate of completion from the hospital internship program. 

Careers as a Medical/Clinical Laboratory Scientist (formerly “Medical Technologist”)

Medical Laboratory Scientists are clinical laboratory professionals who play a major role in patient care, providing laboratory data which are crucial for the diagnosis of diseases, the management of patient therapy and maintenance of health. Medical Laboratory scientists perform a wide variety of analytical procedures requiring expertise in state-of-the-art technology and instrumentation, as well as organizational, problem solving and communication skills. Major disciplines in medical technology include clinical chemistry, clinical immunology, clinical microbiology, hematology, and immunohematology. They perform sophisticated chemical, biological, microscopic, and bacteriological tests using some of the most advanced equipment in healthcare. For example, medical laboratory scientists microscopically examine blood, make cultures of fluid or tissues the samples, use computers to verify and organize lab data, and analyze the samples for chemical content or reaction.

Medical Laboratory Scientists have the versatility to be employed in a variety of settings, including hospitals, independent laboratories, clinics, physicians’ offices, local/state and government agencies, pharmaceutical and cosmetic firms, veterinary offices, and research institutions.

  • Employment rate in various healthcare laboratories in the tri-state area: 100%
  • Starting salary after degree completion by the Bureau of Labor Statistics: >$70,000

Application Requirements

Application to FDU

  • Applicants who are graduates from an accredited secondary school with a record indicating potential to succeed in college will be considered for admission.

Application to the Medical Technologist Hospital Internship Experience 

  • Six semesters of college work are required for admission to a hospital internship clinical training program.
  • Each approved hospital internship website describes program highlights, admissions criteria, curriculum, and FAQs. In addition, Zoom info-sessions may be offered periodically. 
  • It is recommended that students periodically review the GPA and course pre-requisites on the hospital internship websites during the pre-professional years at FDU.
  • Students must apply in their 3rd year at FDU for the MLS internship program at an accredited hospital.
    • Application and admission processes are slightly different for each hospital. It is the student’s responsibility to regularly check the hospital websites for updates to the application and admission procedure and deadlines.
    • It is recommended for applicants to apply when the application period opens due to the program’s competitiveness. 
  • Admission to the clinical training program is competitive. Hospitals accept only 4-10 students per class, depending on the hospital site.

  • Students who are not selected for a clinical training program may continue for a BS in Health Studies (or a BS in Science). Upon completion of the BS degree, students may again apply for a clinical training program to earn a certificate which will allow qualification for the ASCP examination.

Curriculum

A minimum of 128 credits is required for graduation from the FDU Medical Technology BS (Hospital Internship Program) to become a Clinical/Medical Laboratory Scientist.  After completion of 3 years of study at FDU (minimum 96 credits, of which 43 are GenEd and 53 are courses in the major), the program is completed in 12-15 months through one of several hospital internships (additional 28 credits). 

General Education Requirements (43 credits)

(UPDATED 2024 WITH NEW GEN-ED CURRICULUM)
  • Written & Oral Communication (9 credits) 
    • WRIT1002 Composition I: Rhetoric and Inquiry
    • WRIT1003 Composition II: Research and Argument
    • Oral Communication: Select from GenEd options
  • Information and Technological Literacy (3 credits) 
    • Select from GenEd options
  • Ethical Reasoning (3 credits) 
  • Global and Cultural Understanding (6 credits) 
  • Scientific and Quantitative Analysis (8 credits)
  • Social and Behavioral Analysis (6 credits)
    • Social Science: Select from GenEd options
    • Behavioral Science: Select from GenEd options
  • Inquiry in the Arts & Humanities (6 credits)
    • Creative & Expressive Arts: Select from GenEd options
    • Humanities: Select from GenEd options
  • University Core (2 credits)
    • UNIV1002 Preparing for Professional Life
    • UNIV2001 Cross-cultural Perspectives

Major Requirements (53 credits)

Hospital Internship (4th Year) Requirements (32 credits)

  • MEDT4205 Clinical Laboratory Education I (16 credits)

  • MEDT4206 Clinical Laboratory Education II (16 credits)

  • During the clinical training, students may be asked to report to a laboratory site five days a week.

Other Considerations

FDU offers two four-year degree programs geared to qualifying for and passing the examination by the Board of Registry of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) for the certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS-ASCP). These are the Clinical Laboratory Sciences BS (this program) and the Medical Technology BS (see other FDU web page). The first three years of the Academic Program Plan for the two degrees are identical, and the courses can be taken at either NJ campus. The fourth year of the Clinical Laboratory Sciences BS is training at Rutgers University and its affiliates. The fourth year of the Medical Technology BS is a hospital-based internship at Valley Hospital (Bergen County), Hackensack Meridian Health Jersey Shore Medical Center (Neptune City), Monmouth Medical Center (Long Branch), or at another approved hospital system. Both the clinical training program at Rutgers University and the hospital-based internship provides appropriate preparation for the ASCP certification as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist. Both are competitive admissions programs.

Clinical Laboratory Sciences BS (University Training Program) – The clinical training program at Rutgers School of Health Professions offers a more structured educational experience. Students generally have the opportunity to rotate through different hospitals and experience a range of practice settings. This program can provide a more comprehensive understanding of laboratory medicine and prepare the student for a wider range of career opportunities.

Medical Technology BS (Hospital Internship Program) – A hospital-based internship offers hands-on experience in a clinical laboratory setting, allowing skills and knowledge to develop under the guidance of working professionals. Students have the opportunity to rotate through different departments within the laboratory, gaining exposure to a variety of laboratory techniques and instrumentation. This experience can be particularly valuable if a student is interested in pursuing a career in a specific area of laboratory medicine. The hospital-based experience, with rotations to multiple departments within the single hospital system, and with many opportunities for hospital personnel to engage the student as a prospective employee, often leads the student to employment in that hospital. 

Geography may also play a role in your preference. The Allied Health faculty and staff at FDU will have at least anecdotal and sometimes statistical guidance about each of these options. 

Contact Information
Administrative Coordinator for Entry Level Programs
201-692-2889
snah-hs@fdu.edu