Frequently Asked Questions
How many students are admitted into the program?
About 20 students are admitted every year. The program is fairly competitive,
favoring those students with higher GPAs. An interview is also required
and may be a determining factor in your admission process.
When is the application
deadline?
April 1. Applications can be accepted until the class is full.
What are your admission
policies and procedure?
Currently enrolled Armstrong Atlantic State University students must also
meet the requirements for admission to the medical technology program
and apply separately to the department. Transfer students must be accepted
to the university with regular admission status. Certified associate degree
medical laboratory technicians may receive transfer for junior level medical
technology courses upon presentation of acceptable certification scores
and/or transfer credit, and satisfactory completion of written and/or
practical examinations in the professional content areas. If not currently
enrolled at Armstrong Atlantic State University, students must be accepted
into the university with regular admission status.
Do I qualify for
your online program?
The Department offers a Career-Ladder online program to enable certified
medical laboratory technicians (MLT) to advance their education. It is
open only to students with MLT credentials and it provides students with
a high quality academic and professional environment allowing for the
development of their intellectual and manipulative competencies and attainment
of professional values and characteristics. The program graduate will
be able to satisfy eligibility requirements to sit for a professional
certification examination at the "technologist" level, to qualify
for employment in a variety of settings, and to progress within clinical
laboratory science to education, supervision, or management position.
Will my MLT professional
course credits transfer?
MLT professional course credits transfer only as electives. General education
credits do transfer. You must make sure to take transferable courses,
particularly in chemistry and biology. Your college advisor knows which
courses are transferable.
What are the admission
requirements?
1. SAT of at least 830 with 400 or more in Math and 430 or more in Verbal.
2. Cumulative Grade Point Average of 2.4 or more.
3. Satisfactory completion of the Regent's Testing Program if applicable.
4. Completion and/or credit for: a minimum of 20 semester hours biological science to include microbiology; a minimum of 12 semester hours chemistry to include general and organic and/or biochemistry; and a minimum of two college mathematics courses (statistics is highly recommended).
5. Science course (chemistry and biology) average of 2.5 or better with no more than one required science course with a grade of "D."
All prerequisite science (chemistry and biological science) courses are restricted to courses applicable to a major in those fields or Medical Technology, according to the curriculum requirements of the academic institution where the course or courses were taken. Remedial courses do not qualify.
Applicants who
do not meet all of the requirements stated above, may,
under certain circumstances be granted conditional admission as space
permits. This decision would be made by the department head
in consultation with the Admissions Committee.
Can I be accepted
before I have completed all my prerequisites?
Yes but they must be completed before you start in the fall unless arrangement
with the department head was secured.
Is there a separate
application to the Medical Technology Program?
Yes. Students should complete an application to the medical technology
department, and have official transcripts, any certification scores, and
two letters of reference sent to the department head.
What are the technical
standards?
In addition to the academic requirements for admission to the Medical
Technology Department, there are technical standards required for completion
of the program. The standards are basic and essential requirements that
may also be necessary to be able to obtain employment in the field of
medical technology.
Is health insurance
required?
All students accepted into the program are required to submit complete
health history forms, evidence of health insurance, and evidence of liability
insurance prior to participation in clinical experiences.
I have a BS degree,
what are my options?
You may be entitled to second BS degree from AASU. An Applicant with B.S.
degree not desiring the B.S. in Medical Technology degree must meet the
minimum Admission Requirements for science courses and the National Accrediting
Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) academic prerequisites
for Medical Technology. These students will be awarded a certificate upon
completion of the professional course work.
What is required
for international students?
Foreign Applicants must meet the requirements for admission to Armstrong
Atlantic State University as outlined in the AASU College Catalog and
the NAACLS Requirements, if applicable. Foreign applicants to Medical
Technology at Armstrong are advised to communicate with the Department
Head before arranging for foreign transcript evaluation. If a student
desiring to major in Medical Technology already has a degree from a foreign
university and desires to base his/her eligibility for national certification
on this degree, the student must have the official transcript evaluated
by one of several acceptable agencies. For an approved listing contact
the MT Program Director.
A student whose native language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) and score a minimum of 523 on the written test (or a minimum of 193 on the computer-based TOEFL) for consideration for admission to the Department.
Do you accept part-time
students?
Yes, however, such action may delay completion of the program and graduation.
Students must complete the professional course work within three consecutive
years from the date of initial admission to the medical technology degree
program.
Do I have to travel
to a clinical site?
Yes. Students will be responsible for their own travel arrangements to
and from the clinical sites. Due to the limited number of clinical sites
in Savannah, it will be necessary to assign students to clinical sites
outside of Savannah. Students who desire to complete their clinical rotations
at facilities not in Savannah should let the Department Head know in writing
no later than the end of the fall semester.
Where are your
clinical sites?
Clinical practicum's are provided in the laboratories of St. Joseph's/Candler
Health System, and Memorial Health University Medical Center all located
in savannah; Southeast Georgia Regional Medical Center in Statesboro;
Medical University of South Carolina; and others as necessary.
If relocated to
a clinical site outside Savannah, am I responsible for paying the extra
living expenses?
Yes. Students are responsible for their own living expenses. Some clinical
sites may offer stipends.
Is housing available?
Yes, but some students must be aware of the fact that they will be relocating
to a clinical outside Savannah.
What do I do after
being accepted?
After acceptance, but prior to initial enrollment in the department, students
will be required to:
1. submit a medical report which includes a physical examination and verification
of immunization,
2. sign a declaration form relating to Hepatitis B,
3. provide evidence of accident/health insurance coverage.
4. submit payment for malpractice liability insurance.
Students accepted in to the department will be required to submit a $50.00 non refundable reservation fee to accept the offer of admission and a check for malpractice liability insurance. The amount will be noted in the letter of acceptance.
What is the cost
of the program?
It is about $6,300 for all four semesters. Estimated total based on Fall
2005 Fees and are subject to change.
Is financial aid
available?
In addition to the sources of financial assistance available to all college
students, there may be funds specifically designed for students in Medical
Technology. The Guaranteed Student Loan Program (Georgia Student Finance
Authority) provides a Service Cancelable loan.
For information on scholarships for students in medical technology contact Financial Aid Office.
What is NAACLS?
NAACLS stands for the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory
Scinece. It is committed to being the agency for accreditation and approval
of educational programs in the clinical laboratory sciences and related
health professions through the involvement of expert volunteers and its
dedication to public service.
Is your program
accredited?
Yes.
Do I have to take
a licensing exam after I graduate?
Upon completion of the program, graduates are eligible to take the certification
examination of the Board of Registry for Medical Technologists of the
American Society of Clinical Pathologists, and the clinical laboratory
scientist examination of the National Certification Agency for Medical
Laboratory Personnel.
What is your pass
rate?
Since 2000, 98% of our students pass national exams yearly compared to
a national average of 75%.
Is it Okay to have
a "C" in a science class and still be accepted into the program?
Yes. Students are allowed only one "D" in area F.
Is it okay to have
a "D" in a med tech course?
Students must earn a C or better in each medical technology course. A
student may repeat a single medical technology course only one time (at
the next offering, provided space is available). Students who fail to
earn a C or better in a repeated medical technology course, or who fail
to earn a C in a subsequent medical technology course, will be dismissed
from the program with no possibility of readmission.
Can I find a job
with this degree?
Yes! There is a great need for Medical Technologists in a variety of health
care settings and students usually have several job opportunities upon
graduation. Please read the Career Information
Section on our website.
Are there opportunities
to further my education in Medical Technology?
Yes. Graduate degrees are available in the sciences, education, business,
and health administration.
Will I be able
to work full/part time while in the program and still be successful?
This depends on the student. We do not have a policy against employment
while in the program.
What is a typical
day like in the program?
In the first two semesters, classes and labs are offered Monday through
Thursday from 8 am to 4 pm. In the last two semesters, students follow
their assigned clinical site schedule with Mondays being reserved for
school work.
