The Medical Technology program at UHM is a career-pathway curriculum that follows an MLT program. It is very important that you receive thorough advising so that you can plan your academic track well (pre-requisites, General Education requirements, etc.). Please contact an advisor (either at UH Manoa or Kapi’olani Community College KCC) for any updates on Admission or Curriculum.

ADVISING IS STRONGLY ENCOURAGED

All students are encouraged to seek academic and professional advising from one of our advisors. Advising will be conducted in a confidential manner. There are many services available at UHM that we can refer you to if necessary (e.g., Student Counseling, KOKUA for disability issues, healthcare, others). Students in the major are strongly urged to seek regular academic advising.

Circumstances differ and may affect how you will plan your academic journey. There are several options to become an MLS. Learn which one applies to you.

I am at UH Manoa and would like to consider Medical Technology as a future major:

If you are already on UH Manoa campus, you may designate Pre-Medical Technology (PRE-MEDT) “major.” Although PRE-MEDT is not a degree major, you would be able to register for classes as a classified student until you are ready to transfer to KCC MLT program. You should communicate closely with the program advisors at UH Manoa (Medical Technology) and KCC MLT program to make sure your transitions are timely.

I have an MLT degree and would like to earn my MLS at UH Manoa.

To be able to major in Medical Technology at UH Manoa, you must provide or have documentations of the following:

• Earned an associate degree and Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) certification
• Have a minimum of 2.5 GPA in the MLT program
• Apply to UH Manoa to major in Medical Technology (be aware of the deadlines)
• If your MLT degree is not from the Kapi’olani Community College, submit a copy of your MLT transcript
• Submit a separate application (available from the Department’s Admissions Committee) and follow the process described in the application form (GPA calculation, essay, interview, evaluations/recommendations)

Criteria for admission include:

• Academic Record: Minimum of 2.5 GPA in the MLT curriculum. For those not from the KCC MLT program, minimum 2.5 GPA on re-calculation with relevant courses (cumulative and math/science).
• Interest and Aptitude: Interest and aptitude in science, and knowledge and understanding of the profession.
• Communication Skills: Ability and willingness to communicate effectively, both verbally and in writing.
• Scientific Orientation: Manual dexterity, logical thinking, scientific curiosity, organizational ability, foresight, preparedness, independence, responsibility, accuracy, ability to follow directions.
• Personal Traits: Integrity, initiative, cooperation, willingness to accept constructive suggestions, maturity, leadership, poise under stress, courtesy, self-reliance, appearance.

Student may apply to be admitted either in fall or spring semester. UHM application deadline for fall is March 1. Medical Technology will accept fall applications in February and March. UHM application deadline for spring is October 1. Medical Technology will accept spring applications in September and October. But because some courses are offered sequentially, the curriculum is generally completed at the end of the spring semester. The lab capacity on campus is 14 students per class. Thus, enrollment may be limited if the number of applications exceeds the capacity.

An MLS performs various procedures that directly impact patient-care. While the University of Hawai’i is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution, it is important that every applicant meets certain technical standards (essential functions) prior to being admitted to the Medical Technology program. With appropriate accommodations if needed, all applicants must be able to perform activities listed below.

• Manipulate labware to transfer or prepare reagents and samples (e.g., pipet, charge hemocytometers, prepare blood smears).
• Operate simple instruments according to instructions (e.g., cell counter, spectrophotometer, centrifuge).
• Perform microscopic examinations on various specimens and report the results (e.g., leukocyte differential count, cell morphology, urinary sediments).
• Follow written or verbal directions to perform laboratory tests and report the results.

While in the program, additional, more sophisticated, professional skills are taught. They include laboratory procedures of high complexity, evaluating the methods and results, and making critical decisions that would affect the patient’s welfare.

I already have a bachelor’s degree and would like to become an MLS.

If you already have a bachelor’s degree, and wish to obtain a second degree in Medical Technology but are not able to follow the MLT-MLS track, you may qualify for admission through the “Second-Degree” route. Minimum qualifications:

• Completed a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or college
• Minimum 2.5 cumulative and math/science GPA
• Completed required courses (up to 2 may be taken while on probationary status): CHEM 161/L, 162/L, 272/L, 273, BIOL 171/L, 172, 275, MATH 140 (or higher), MICR 351/L, 461/L, 463/L, MEDT 151, 251 (includes phlebotomy training
• Submit a separate application to be admitted through the Second-Degree route (available from the Department’s Admissions Committee) and follow the process described in the application form (GPA calculation, essay, interview, evaluations/recommendations)

Student may apply to be admitted either in fall or spring semester. UHM application deadline for fall is March 1. Medical Technology will accept fall applications in February and March. UHM application deadline for spring is October 1. Medical Technology will accept spring applications in September and October. But because some courses are offered sequentially, the curriculum is generally completed at the end of the spring semester. The lab capacity on campus is 14 students per class. Thus, enrollment may be limited if the number of applications exceeds the capacity.

Upon admission, student will be classified as an undergraduate student in Medical Technology, and must complete the major and graduation requirements as described above plus MEDT 302.

Contact one of the advisors in the Department at medtech@hawaii.edu to schedule advising, to seek more detailed information about the program, and instructions to apply as an MLT-MLS or Second-Degree applicant.