College Diploma - Medical Laboratory Technology at Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) - Program overview

Program overview

Admission Requirements

Intakes

Last updated on 2025-05-14

Program overview

Program Overview

The Medical Laboratory Technology program at NAIT prepares students to become registered medical laboratory technologists. This program focuses on performing a wide variety of laboratory tests and procedures that assist physicians in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of diseases. Students will gain hands-on experience in analyzing human blood and body fluids, as well as preparing tissue samples for microscopic examination. The program emphasizes the importance of collecting blood samples from patients, which is a crucial aspect of the profession.

Program Structure

The Medical Laboratory Technology program is designed to be completed in 2 years of full-time study. The program is structured into two main phases:

Phase I: 49 weeks of classroom instruction at NAIT Main Campus, including blended (virtual and in-person) classes and labs.
Phase II: 38 weeks of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at affiliated clinical sites, providing practical experience in various clinical settings.

Students can expect to spend approximately 30-35 hours per week in classes and labs during Phase I, along with 20-25 hours for studying and assignments. In Phase II, students will engage in about 40 hours per week of clinical placement, which may include early, late, and weekend shifts. The program also includes a mandatory work-integrated learning component, ensuring that students gain valuable real-world experience.

Featured Experiences

Hands-on training in a level II containment laboratory.
Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at multiple clinical sites, allowing students to apply their knowledge in real-world settings.
Access to NAIT's advanced Simulation Centre for practical training.
Collaboration with registered medical laboratory technologists during clinical placements.
Preparation for the CSMLS national certification exam.

Career Options

Graduates of the Medical Laboratory Technology program can pursue various career opportunities in Canada, including:

Medical Laboratory Technologist: Perform laboratory tests and analyze results to assist in diagnosing diseases.
Clinical Chemist: Specialize in analyzing bodily fluids to detect chemical imbalances and diseases.
Microbiologist: Study microorganisms to understand their impact on human health and disease.
Transfusion Science Specialist: Manage blood products and ensure safe transfusions for patients.
Histotechnologist: Prepare tissue samples for microscopic examination to aid in disease diagnosis.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors.

Visit Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) official website

Last updated on 2025-05-14

Program overview

Academic Requirements

The Academic Requirements for the College Diploma - Medical Laboratory Technology program are as follows:

Minimum GPA: 63% in each of the following:
- Grade 12 Language Arts (English 30-2)
- Grade 12 Mathematics (Math 30-2)
- Grade 12 Biology (Biology 30)
- Grade 12 Chemistry (Chemistry 30)
Online Interview - See Competitive Entrance Requirements for details.
Medical Terminology: Completion of NAIT ITMS100 - Medical Terminology with a minimum final grade of 60% within the last 5 years. Limited Alberta only post-secondary Medical Terminology courses that are 1 or more credits and completed within 5 years of the application deadline with a final grade of 60% or greater may be considered for equivalency. Applicants must submit proof of meeting this requirement by July 31st. Early registration in the course is encouraged to ensure sufficient time to complete the course prior to the due date.
Human Anatomy and Physiology: Completion of NAIT ANPH100 Anatomy and Physiology with a minimum final grade of 60% within the last 5 years. Limited Alberta only post-secondary Human Anatomy and Physiology courses that are 3 or more credits and completed within 5 years of the application deadline with a final grade of 60% or greater may be considered for equivalency. Applicants must submit proof of meeting this requirement by July 31st. Early registration in the course is encouraged to ensure sufficient time to complete the course prior to the due date.

Admission for this program is not guaranteed by only meeting the minimum requirements, as the program has competitive entrance and/or an interview process. Applicants who meet the program’s minimum entrance requirements and submit all required documents will be invited to a program interview. After the interview, applicants with the highest interview score will be admitted first. Approximately 4 months after applications open, if additional seats are available, varying interview scores may be considered. The scores required for admission can vary by program and intake.

Transcripts may be required to be evaluated by WES in some cases.

For international students, please contact LOA Portal's advisors for any clarification and support regarding the application process and requirements.

Language Requirements

English is the language of instruction at NAIT. To satisfy the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement when applying to a NAIT program, you can demonstrate your proficiency in one of the following ways:

NAIT accepts the following English language proficiency tests:

IELTS Academic - Minimum score of 6.0 in each section
NAIT’s ELP Exam - Minimum score of 73% or “B” in each section
Canadian Language Benchmarks Assessment (CLB) - Minimum score of 8.0 in each section
CAEL - Minimum overall score of 60
Cambridge English Language Assessment - Minimum score of 169 in each section for B2 First, C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency
TOEFL iBT - Minimum score of 20 in each section; effective Fall 2025, minimum overall score of 70 with at least 17 in each section
Duolingo - Minimum overall score of 115 with at least 100 in each integrated subscore
Michigan English Test (MET) - Minimum overall score of 59
PTE Academic - Minimum overall score of 58
LanguageCert B2 Communicator Test - Minimum score of 38 in each section

Please check with our team for more details.

DISCLAIMER: The information above is subject to change. For the latest updates, please contact LOA Portal's advisors. The listed minimum requirements are a guideline and do not guarantee admission. Do not worry, we will notify you of any changes during the application process.

Not meeting the minimum language requirements?

You may still be able to apply!