The Associate in Applied Arts and Sciences degree and Certificate are designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to work in clinical laboratories as a Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT). Upon completion of the degree, graduates are eligible to take the national MLT certification exam. Certification is a requirement for working in the healthcare field. Shoreline Community College works with clinical affiliates, an MLT advisory committee and accreditation guidelines to make sure students receive the knowledge and skills currently in demand for employment. Medical Laboratory personnel examine, analyze and test clinical specimens such as blood and body fluids to aid in the detection, diagnosis and treatment of disease. Medical Laboratory Technicians perform routine laboratory testing and assigned tasks with quality control and quality assurance. The MLT program prerequisites provide students with a foundation in general education and science courses required before entrance into the program. The professional year covers areas of routine medical laboratory technology through lecture/symposium, eLearning support and student laboratory classes. Students then complete laboratory practicum training in medical laboratories. MLT program graduates are eligible to take the national certification examination for a Medical Laboratory Technician and become certified as an MLT (ASCP). Certification is required to work in medical laboratory facilities.