This program requires the equivalent of three years of full-time preprofessional study at the college level preceding a senior year of professional education in an affiliated school of medical technology. All affiliated schools are accredited by the Committee on Allied Health and Education Accreditation (CAHEA) of the American Medical Association.

Responsibility for applying to schools of medical technology and gaining admission rests with the students. However, guidance is provided by the Medical Technology Program director in the Department of Biology. Admission to schools of medical technology is selective. Candidates should strive for strong academic standing. Students who fail to gain admission to a CAHEA-approved school are unable to complete the degree program. Such students may transfer to a biology major without loss of credits.

Application to medical technology schools should be initiated about a year before the desired entrance date. This fact, coupled with the large number of required courses in the preprofessional curriculum, makes it imperative that students in the program consult regularly with their faculty advisers. All medical technology majors and prospective majors are urged to enroll in MTCH 200 as early as possible. This course provides information on the profession and on the educational demands placed on candidates.

Students should be aware that the senior year spent off campus requires the following special interpretation of university policies: Transfer students must present at least 16 hours of 300- or 400-level biology or chemistry taken at George Mason University. Students may present no more than 6 hours of D grades in the biology and chemistry courses required in the 3 years of preprofessional study. No unsatisfactory grades may be presented for courses in the senior year of professional study. Transfer students entering with more than 45 hours of transfer credit are often unable to complete the preprofessional phase of their program in the usual 3 years of full-time study.

Senior students are registered at the university through special procedures. For details consult the program director.

In addition to the college requirements for bachelor of science degrees and MTCH 200, candidates for the B.S. with a major in medical technology must present the following courses in their preprofessional programs:

1. Biology, a minimum of 20 hours, including BIOL 213, 302, 303, 311, and 452

2. Chemistry, a minimum of 22 hours, including CHEM 211, 212, 313, 314, 315, and either 318 or 320

3. Mathematics, a minimum of 6 hours (STAT 250 recommended; MATH 106 not applicable)

Students are encouraged to elect additional basic science courses during their preprofessional years. Recommended are BIOL 380, 383, 465, 552; CS 103; CHEM 321; PHYS 106, 107.

The professional study during the senior year requires 30 semester hours of course work, including MTCH 401, 402, 403, 404, 405, and 406. The distribution of credit hours in these courses varies with the school of medical technology. No more than 30 hours of professional credit may be applied toward the degree.

Sample Schedule for a B.S. with a Major in Medical Technology

Preprofessional Phase:

Professional Phase: Twelve months' clinical education at an
affiliated school of medical technology.

Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) Articulation Track

A special track is available for MLTs who are graduates of associate degree programs. This track provides substantial credit for the scientific and clinical aspects of the associate degree, but requires that the student meet the clinical requirement for national certifying examinations through approved work experience. For details contact the program director.

The Major in Medical Technology as a Second Bachelor's Degree

While the standard program for medical technologists is three years on campus followed by a fourth year at a clinical affiliate (3 + 1), many students elect to complete a bachelor's degree before entering the clinical program (4 + 1). Students who have completed a B.S. with a major in biology or chemistry at GMU and who then undertake a fifth year at a clinical affiliate may be eligible for a second bachelor's degree with a major in medical technology. Students wishing to receive the second degree must make application before entering their fifth year. For further information contact a medical technology adviser.