When I am a Medical Technology major at IUP, how will I know what courses to take and when to apply for admission to one of the affiliating Schools of Clinical Laboratory Science?
Every semester, each Medical Technology student meets individually with the Allied Health coordinator. During these meetings, the coordinator and student discuss courses in which the student is currently enrolled, plans for subsequent semesters, and the application process.
IUP has outstanding academic support services, such as workshops, one-credit courses, and peer tutors. The Writing Center is another service that helps students succeed and excel. IUP faculty members also offer assistance during office hours, and many faculty members conduct review sessions outside of class time to help students prepare for exams.
All courses in the pre-clinical phase of the program must be completed before progressing to the clinical year. Each affiliating School of Medical Technology establishes its own calendar, with most schools beginning classes in July or August. Since the clinical phase is actually twelve months, medical technology students graduate in August once the clinical phase is completed.
Since IUP does not guarantee admission to an affiliating School of Medical Technology, what will I do if I am not admitted to one?
Admission to a School of Medical Technology is competitive. The best approach to being admitted is to be successful in your studies while at IUP. The higher your grade point average, the more likely you will be admitted to the school of your choice. If a student is not admitted, it is most likely because of low grades, especially in key science courses. In this case, a student may decide to repeat courses to earn higher grades and then reapply for admission.
Students may enroll in the pre-clinical courses on a full-time or part-time basis. Once the student begins the clinical phase of the program, full-time study is required.
Most students look for an apartment close to the site where they complete their clinical experience. Some students select an affiliating site close to family or friends and stay with them during the clinical year.
If you live on or near campus during the pre-clinical phase of the program, it is not necessary to have your own car. Depending upon the location of the affiliating School of Medical Technology to which you are admitted and the housing you select, it may be necessary to have your own transportation.
The majority of students at IUP find part-time jobs while taking classes, and many students use the summer months to earn money to help them pay for college expenses. While in the clinical phase of the program, many hospitals hire medical technology students to work part time in the hospital labs while completing clinical coursework.
When you have completed all degree requirements, you will earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Medical Technology from IUP and a certificate of completion from the School of Medical Technology which you attended. Most students also earn minors in Biology and Chemistry.
While at IUP during the pre-clinical phase, students enjoy campus life, the diverse activities available to them, and the opportunity to meet new friends. Students often speak highly of their interactions with the faculty and the valuable learning support services. During the clinical phase of the program, students are impressed with the sophisticated technology found in the hospital labs and are amazed at how much there is to learn. Most of all, they find it rewarding to work with physicians and others in the lab analyzing specimens and making valuable contributions to the health care of patients.
Job placement for Medical Technology students is typically 100 percent. Graduates find many kinds of jobs, most often in hospital settings. The 2010 graduates from IUP accepted positions at UPMC Altoona Regional Health System and Precision Therapeutic in Pittsburgh. Other graduates began their careers with the American Red Cross, and another accepted a job offer from a regional medical center as a generalist in all areas of the lab. A 2007 graduate was chosen for a one-year internship with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
I already have a bachelor's degree. How many more courses will I have to complete to earn a Bachelor of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science?
Students who have already earned a first bachelor's degree from a college or university are admitted to the Medical Technology program with advanced placement. Often, especially if the first degree was science-related such as biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, students must complete only a few remaining science courses before progressing to the clinical phase of the program at one of the affiliating Schools of Medical Technology.