Admission

MLT Program Entry Requirements:

Admission is selective and requires that potential students fulfill all College admission requirements. Applicants for the program must have:

1. High school diploma or general education diploma (GED)
2. A minimum of one year of high school biology and chemistry or their applicable equivalents within the last 10 years with a grade of “C” or better
3. Applicants must demonstrate readiness for ENGL101 and FMNT 118 as determined by the College’s placement tests or by successfully completing identified developmental course work
4. Minimum grade point average of 2.25

Applicants must be 18 years of age on or before the first day of the semester in which they begin the program.

Students new to the College can begin the application process by first applying to the College. Transcript evaluation and completion of a placement test (or test waiver) is required.

Current College students can obtain an application at the front office of the Math, Science and Health Careers Division (Room W1-1). Applicants should submit the following to the MLT program director’s office (Room W1-1C):

• Official copies of supporting documents (e.g., official transcripts) if not already on file
• Completed and signed MLT application form
• A resume with letter of intent addressed to the MLT program director

The application and Allied Health testing deadline is June 1.

Applicants who complete and meet the aforementioned requirements will be eligible to continue in the admissions process and will be contacted, via email, concerning the scheduling of an admissions interview with the program director (or designee). A scheduled interview does not guarantee admission. Upon completion of the admissions interview, the program director (or designee) will review and score all applicants with particular attention to:

1. Cumulative grade point average
2. Strength of secondary/post-secondary academic curriculum
3. Allied Health pre-entrance examination score
4. Personal interview

Conditions for Acceptance

All applicants are notified in writing regarding the admissions decision. All offers of acceptance are contingent upon successful completion of the following: acknowledgement of Performance Standards for Allied Health Programs and Courses.

Clinical education requires the following

• Activity Tolerance: move quickly and/or tolerate long periods of standing and/or sitting. Perform tasks accurately under time constraints.
• Mobility: ability to ambulate without assistive devices in confined areas, reach laboratory benchtops and equipment.
• Motor Skills: reach, manipulate and operate equipment, instruments and supplies to include VP needles and micropipettes.

Students who are registered with the Center on Disability must inform the program director if accommodations are required.

Additional Conditions for Acceptance

Additional conditions for acceptance into the program include:

• Documentation of a complete physical examination (health form), including required laboratory tests (TB test, proof of immunity). All health information is kept confidential.
• Documentation of up to date immunizations prior to clinical assignment. Additional immunizations (e.g., influenza) and antibody titers may be necessary.
• Documentation of current health insurance coverage, which must be maintained throughout the Program.
• The student must present a negative criminal record check, child abuse clearance and drug screening prior to entering the program.
• Attendance at scheduled Program orientation prior to entry.
• Purchase of MLT student uniform.

The following guidelines are used in making decisions about an applicant’s criminal and child abuse background:

Child Abuse Clearance:

• Any record results in denial of admission into the MLT program.

Criminal Background Check:

• Any felony conviction within the past 10 years results in denial of admission to the MLT program.
• Any felony conviction more than 10 years old will be evaluated based on the nature of the offense, length of time since the offense and any explanatory letters/materials submitted by the applicant or student.
• Any misdemeanor will be evaluated based on the nature of the offense, length of time since the offense, and explanatory letter/materials submitted by the applicant or students. (Any punishment over one year indicates a felony according to federal sentencing guidelines.) 

Reconsideration:

An applicant who believes that an error of fact has been made in terms of the information provided to the decision-making committee can request reconsideration by the committee. This request must be made in writing within ten days from the date of the letter notifying the applicant of the decision. The reconsideration should address what the applicant considers to be errors of fact.

Following reconsideration by the decision-making committee, the applicant can appeal the committee’s decision to the Vice President for Academic and Student Success, whose decision is final. Any official change or the initiation of any governmental proceeding affecting the information revealed by the required criminal or child abuse background check must be reported immediately to the MLT curriculum coordinator.

Drug Screening

The MLT program including the Phlebotomy course requires participation in clinical education. The clinical affiliates of the MLT program require evidence of a negative drug screening test for a student to participate in the clinical part of the clinical laboratory program at their facility. Therefore, any student with a positive drug screening test cannot be admitted into the MLT program. The student is allowed to be re-tested only if the lab rejects the urine specimen due to quality or error in collection.

Disciplinary Action

Involvement in any incident which resulted in a disciplinary action against a student at Community College of Philadelphia or any post-secondary institution is considered in the admissions process. The MLT program reserves the right to deny admission to any applicant who has a history of violating College rules and regulations or who has been previously suspended or expelled from the College or any other post-secondary educational institution.

Academic Grading Policy

The grading policy for the Diagnostic Medical Imaging program courses is a letter system with an associated percent.  Final grades at the end of each semester become part of the student’s permanent record.

Students must receive a passing grade (75 minimum) in all 3 areas of all MLT courses:  Lecture, Lab, and Clinical (if applicable) to pass. Receiving a failing or unacceptable grade in any one area will result in a grade of "D" or "F" in the course.

Grading                        

Letter grades:

A = 93-100
B = 83-92        
C = 75-82 – minimal passing grade
D = 65-74
F = below 65               

Attendance Policy

Attendance at all lectures, labs and clinical rotation days are required.  Students missing a lecture class are responsible for the material presented and should ask a classmate for a copy of their notes and any handouts from class. College policy states that any student who has missed the equivalent of two (2) weeks of class may be dropped from the course; therefore, a student who does so without legitimate documentation will be dropped from this class.

Students must make every effort to attend class when an exam is scheduled.  If you are not able to attend class when an exam is being given, YOU MUST NOTIFY THE INSTRUCTOR BEFORE THE SCHEDULED CLASS TIME.  Any student that does not notify the instructor as indicated will receive a grade of 0 (zero) for that exam. Students with a valid excuse to miss an exam, will be given the opportunity to take a makeup exam.

The course syllabus discusses the lab attendance policy: students missing a lab will receive a grade of 0 (zero) unless they make arrangements with the instructor to attend a different lab section that week. Labs cannot be made up on a different week.

Inclement Weather

In the event of inclement weather, classes and clinical assignments will resume as scheduled, unless the College is officially closed.  The academic and clinical attendance policies are set forth for students who are absent due to inclement weather when the College is not officially closed.                                                

It is the student’s responsibility to check one of the following for official College closing due to snow:

1. The notice of College closing will be placed on the College’s www.ccp.edu and MyCCP websites.

Policy on Student Service Work

At no time are MLT students to be substituted for regular staff while on clinical rotation. Students are to be supervised at all times while at the clinical site with sufficient hospital staff to perform the routine duties and supervise students.

Withdrawal Policy

Any student wishing to, or required to, withdraw from the MLT program during an academic semester must comply with the following procedures:

• Meet with the program director to obtain a “Drop” form
• Submit the “Drop” form to the Admissions Office in the Bonnell Building

If these procedures are not followed, the student will remain on the MLT Program attendance lists, and will receive a grade of “F” for the courses in which they are registered during the respective semester.

MLT/Phlebotomy Programs’ Policy on Academic Dishonesty

All members of the College Community are expected to obey all public laws and abide by all College regulations.  Students are expected to be well motivated and constructive in their pursuit of learning.  Attendance at the College is a privilege and not a right; students through their act of registration concede to the College the right to dismiss any student at any time when it is deemed necessary in order to safeguard the College’s ideals of scholarship and character and to secure compliance with its regulations. 

Academic integrity emphasizes fairness and honesty in academic study and communication and is a shared commitment and responsibility of students, faculty, and administrators. See Conduct – Academic Integrity Policy (Memorandum #3 see Academic Integrity | Community College of Philadelphia). Students who commit acts of academic dishonesty will be subject of disciplinary action by the College through due process procedures for student conduct violations. Committing acts of academic dishonesty may result in assignment failure, exam failure, course failure and/or dismissal from the MLT or Phlebotomy program.  

Violations of academic integrity can include, but are not limited to, cheating and plagiarism. Cheating is an intentional effort to deceive or gain an unfair advantage in completing academic work. Plagiarism is the act of using the work of another person and passing it off as your own. Any violation may lead to disciplinary action. Here are common examples of academic integrity violations, including but not limited to: 

1. Cheating behaviors include but are not limited to:

• Examining or copying another student’s answers during a test exam, or lab practical exam.
• Examining or copying another student’s paper or lab report.
• Bringing notes to class during a test (scrap paper, sleeves, hands).
• Using a dictionary or other book during an exam.
• Asking someone for an answer during an exam.
• Having someone else take an exam for you.
• Having in your possession without permission, any materials belonging to or generated from faculty staff or students.
• Purposely missing a scheduled exam to take it at a later date after discussing the exam with other students.
• Using an electronic device such as a cell phone or graphing calculator to look at information or photos during an exam. 

2. Aiding another student commit an act of academic dishonesty including but not limited to:

• illfully offering answers or information related to tests or exams.
• Doing another student’s assignment (in or out of the classroom). 
• Taking a test for another student. 
• Failing to report knowledge of another student cheating.

3. Plagiarism includes, but is not limited to:

• Copying from any source without quotes and appropriate documentation.
• Re-wording an idea from a source but omitting documentation.
• Having another person write for you or copying another person’s work.
• Having another person correct mistakes on your paper. (suggested revisions are acceptable).

Advising

Faculty members in the Program are student advisors and mentors. Advising sessions may be initiated by faculty or students as deemed necessary. Faculty availability for advising will be made known to the student. Availability of program faculty does not reduce the responsibility of the student for academic and clinical success. 

Dismissal from the Program

To remain in the program, students must earn a grade of “C” or better in each professional course and in each science course.

Alcohol and Drug Use

Student use of alcohol, non-prescription or illegal drugs while in the classroom, lab, or clinical education setting is strictly prohibited.  Suspected impairment may result in the request of a drug test and possible dismissal from the Program pending the results. 

The MLT Program reserves the right to dismiss any student:

• who fails to observe the regulations of College and its clinical affiliates.
• whose skills, attitude and behavior are viewed as inconsistent with professional standards.
• whose general conduct is detrimental to the College and its clinical affiliates.
• who does not meet the scholastic requirements of the MLT program. A student who earns a grade of "D" or lower in any MLT course will be dismissed from the program.
• who fails to complete all general science prerequisites prior to entering the second year of the program.

Readmission Policy

• The MLT program is intended to be completed in 18 months beginning in September of each year. In order to progress through the program, students must complete all curriculum courses with a grade of "C" or better and maintain a GPA of 2.25 or higher. Eligible students seeking program readmission must do so within twelve (12) months of program separation.
• Program readmission is not guaranteed and is dependent upon program capacity and availability. A student must be eligible for readmission according to the College standards. Students who request to be considered for program readmission must meet the current admissions criteria and requirements at the time the request for readmission is placed. Readmitted students must follow the curriculum requirements at the time of their return to the program.
• Eligible students may apply for readmission only once. Students must submit a letter to the program director requesting a temporary leave from the program.

Students Eligible for Readmission

• Students who withdraw from the MLT program in good academic standing (grade "C" or better in all completed curriculum courses and GPA of 2.25 or higher)
• Students who are dismissed from the MLT program due to a grade "D" or lower in any MLT academic course, with a GPA at time of readmission request of 2.25 or higher

Students Ineligible for Readmission

• Students who are dismissed from the MLT program due to a grade "D" or lower in any clinical MLT course (MLT 102 and MLT 295)
• Students who are dismissed from the MLT program due to inappropriate conduct and/or violations of the College’s academic integrity policy, clinical code of conduct, moral/ethical standards, professional standards or performance standards.

Process for Readmission Consideration: In order to be considered for Program readmission, the applicant must:

• Successfully complete all MLT program prerequisite requirements.
• Submit a letter to the program director requesting a readmission to the program.
• Have a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 2.25 for all college classes
• Successfully complete a comprehensive written exam. The exam content will include current material from courses which the student previously completed.
• Repeat previously completed courses as recommended by program faculty. Curriculum analysis is conducted annually, and course content may change to ensure program alignment with the ASCP exam content.

The results of the written exam, as well as the student’s prior academic progress, will be evaluated by faculty to determine the student’s potential for success in the program and semester placement. MLT courses are offered chronologically and only once a year, therefore a readmission date will be based on the semester in which the courses are being offered. The program must be completed within three (3) academic years after a student’s initial enrollment. Readmission is not guaranteed and is dependent upon available space.

Students seeking readmission into the MLT program must contact the program director in writing at least 6-12 months prior to start of the requested entering semester.

Student Records

Post-secondary schools allow students the privilege to inspect and review their educational records. Records kept in the office of the Program Director and MLT faculty for three years from graduation or last date of attendance. Students’ data form with grades and graduation information are available online. A student desiring to gain access to records kept in the program director’s office must submit a written request for an appointment to discuss their files.  This request must include the student’s name, College ID number, and the request must be signed by the student. 

Tuition, Fees and Program Expenses

Continuation in the MLT program requires all College financial obligations to be met. Tuition for the program varies based on student residency. Tuition and fees for College courses is available online. Additional expenses for students in the program include travel to clinical facilities, purchase of uniforms, shoes, laboratory coats, required textbooks, a physical examination and inoculations.

Program of Study and Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the Associate in Applied Science (A.A.S.) degree as a clinical laboratory technician, a student must complete 63 credit hours as prescribed, attain a grade point average of 2.0 or better, and earn no grade below “C” in any required course for the curriculum.