Southwest Baptist University

Medical Technology Program

College of Science and Mathematics


Southwest Baptist University, in cooperation with the Cox School of Medical Technology, Cox Health Systems, Springfield, Missouri, offers a four-year program leading to a B.S. degree in medical technology. The fourth year of this work is taken at Cox Medical Center South ( or an approved hospital or school of medical technology). Upon satisfactory completion of this work, students are certified in this field by passing the examination given by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists. This page contains information relevant to the SBU Medical Technology B.S. degree. Also, toward the end of the page is a list of Internet Resources for Medical Technology Students.

MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY TOPICS DISCUSSED ON THIS PAGE INCLUDE:


MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY

A medical technologist is a skilled laboratory scientist who performs and evaluates laboratory procedures and tests using a variety of sophisticated scientific instrumentation. This includes analysis of blood and various body fluids to obtain data upon which the diagnosis of disease is made. The major areas of this laboratory science include hematology, immunohematology (blood banking), clinical chemistry, serology, microbiology, immunology, urinalysis, mycology and parasitology. A medical technologist may specialize in one of these areas or work as a generalist. In addition to the laboratory testing procedures, medical technologists often manage the laboratory and direct the work of medical technicians, who generally perform the specific tests. Medical technologists evaluate the quality and accuracy of laboratory results and must be experts in laboratory administration and management as well as clinical laboratory science. The following information is pertinent to students wishing to pursue medical technology as a career (Bachelor of Science Degree at SBU).

PREREQUISITE COURSES FOR ENTRY INTO MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL

Students must complete 96 semester hours of college credit before admission to a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS) approved School of Medical Technology.

The following courses are required by SBU: 

COURSE CREDITS
General Biology I (BIO 1004) 4 hrs.
Human Anatomy and Physiology I (BIO 2204) 4 hrs.
Human Anatomy and Physiology II (BIO 3304) 4 hrs.
Microbiology (BIO 3314) 4 hrs.
Introduction to Immunology (BIO 3322) 2 hrs.
Genetics (BIO 3323) 3 hrs.
General Chemistry I (CHE 1115) 5 hrs.
General Chemistry II (CHE 1125) 5 hrs.
Organic Chemistry I (CHE 3304) 4 hrs.
Organic Chemistry II (CHE 3314) 4 hrs.
Analytical Chemistry (CHE 3345) or Instrumental Analysis (CHE 3354) 4-5 hrs.
Biochemistry (BIO 3364/CHE 3364) 4 hrs.
The following SBU courses are recommended as electives before admission to the medical technology program. CREDITS
Histology (BIO 3384) 4 hrs.
Pathogenic Microbiology (BIO 3394) 4 hrs.
Elementary Statistics (PSY/SOC 3243) 3 hrs.
Organizational Behavioral and Theory (MGT 4043) or
Personal Financial Planning (FIN 3003)
3 hrs.

Students must also complete the general education and graduation requirements of SBU. At least the last 30 hours of the 96 hours of college credit must be taken at SBU.

ADMISSION INTO A SCHOOL OF MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY:

The minimum requirements for becoming a medical technologist are completion of three years of pre-professional college courses. Students may then be admitted to a one-year program in a medical technology program approved by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Admission requirements for a given school are determined by the national requirements and the approval of the Educational Coordinator of the school of Medical Technology concerned. Check with the individual schools for specific details. For information on Cox School of Medical Technology, contact:

Doug Hubbard, Program Director
School of Medical Technology
3801 S. National Ave.
Springfield, Missouri 65807
Email: doug.hubbard@coxhealth.com
Phone: (417) 269-6633


CERTIFICATION AND DEGREE AWARDING

Upon certification by the Educational Coordinator of a NAACLS approved school of Medical Technology that the courses in medical technology have been completed satisfactorily, SBU will grant a minimum of 30 semester hours of upper-division credit for the work. The general education requirements and all other requirements listed in the SBU catalog must be met before the B.S. degree may be awarded. For certification as a medical technologist, graduates of NAACLS approved medical technology programs are eligible to apply to take certification exams given by several certifying agencies. Those individuals certified by the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists are recognized by designated MT(ASCP) appearing after their names on certification documents. State licensing exams are also required.

TYPICAL COURSE OF STUDY DURING THE TWELVE MONTH CLINICAL FOURTH YEAR OF STUDY (AFTER COMPLETING 96 HOURS AT SBU)

COURSE CREDITS
Clinical Biochemistry (MTC 401) 10 hrs.
Clinical Microscopy (MTC 402) 2 hrs.
Clinical Hematology & Coagulation (MTC 403) 7 hrs.
Diagnostic Immunology (MTC 404) 4 hrs.
Clinical Microbiology (MTC 405) 7 hrs.
Immunohematology (MTC 406) 4 hrs.
Special Topics in Medical Technology (MTC 407) 1 hr

WHERE MEDICAL TECHNOLOGISTS WORK

Medical technologists have unlimited choices of practice settings. Hospitals, independent laboratories, clinics, nursing homes, public health facilities, business and industry all currently have positions open for qualified medical technologists.

OPPORTUNITIES TO SPECIALIZE

A medical technologist who gains experience in one of the special areas of the laboratory has the opportunity to advance to a specialist level. These areas of the laboratory are chemistry, hematology, blood banking, immunology and microbiology. In today's laboratories, areas of scientific exploration are the immune system, cell marker technology, bioengineering and cancer research. In the clinical area, drug testing, therapeutic drug monitoring and biogenetics are just a few of the specialties with openings. In industry, medical technologists are needed for positions in marketing, sales, quality assurance, environmental health and insurance, among others.

JOB OPPORTUNITIES

Today, there are more jobs for medical technologist than educated people to fill those jobs. The future long-term employment looks bright--well into the next century. The national average salary for medical technologists is approximately $40,200 (ASCP figure), although salaries vary by area of the country. Job availability also varies by area of the country.

WHY SBU?

As a student selects a school for his undergraduate education, a basic question to be answered is "Why go to SBU and not someplace else?" There are a number of factors about SBU that should be considered in answering this question:

  1. SBU is committed to Christian, higher education. The primary purpose of the SBU faculty is academic excellence, with Christ as the focal point of all activities, both in and out of the classroom.
  2. SBU has a history of success. SBU graduates applying to professional schools are accepted at a high rate. Once in professional schools, the performance of SBU's graduates has been outstanding.
  3. Most upper-level classes at SBU are small (usually less than 20-25 students). This has a number of important results. Closer interactions between faculty and students will occur at SBU than at most other institutions. You will get to known everyone "up close and personal." Life-long friendships will be established with both the faculty and other students because you will have many of the same classes. Individualized, one-on-one attention, assistance, instruction and counseling are available from the SBU faculty. Students do not have to push through a maze of graduate students, teaching assistants and secretaries to meet with their professors.
  4. SBU has a Pre-Health Committee, consisting of faculty from the departments of biology and chemistry. This committee is dedicated to preparing and sending out those SBU students who wish to become medical technologists. The SBU Pre-Health Committee provides a number of services to the medical technology students. Some of these services are listed below:
  1. Information and assistance about medical technology schools, school catalogs, admissions policies, grade requirements, application procedures, etc., are provided.
  2. Upon request, the SBU Pre-Health Committee will coordinate a student visit to Cox School of Medical Technology or a local medical lab facility. Students can observe medical lab techniques and procedures.

INTERNET RESOURCES FOR MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY STUDENTS:

SELECTED MEDICAL TECHNOLOGY SCHOOL / MEDICAL TECHNICIAN SCHOOL HOME PAGES:

OTHER INTERNET RESOURCES: