This three-year program prepares you to work in clinical laboratories where you analyse blood, tissue, and other bodily fluids. You will learn to operate advanced medical instruments, follow strict safety and quality-control procedures, and report results that help doctors diagnose and treat patients.
Career outcomes
- Medical laboratory technologist
- Clinical laboratory assistant
- Quality control specialist
- Research laboratory technician
- Phlebotomist
- Laboratory information systems coordinator
Admission requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 or older by the start of classes)
- Grade 12 English (C or U), minimum 60%
- Grade 12 Biology or Chemistry (C or U), minimum 60%
Tuition
2024–25 tuition: $3,990 per year (domestic).
Courses
- COMM 1820 Business Communication Strategies
- COMM 1920 Professional Writing and Style
- DLAB 1370 Clinical Chemistry I
- DLAB 1540 Hematology I
- DLAB 1970 Microbiology I
- DLAB 2380 Urinalysis I
- DLAB 2560 Immunohematology I
- DLAB 2650 Clinical Chemistry II
- GNED 1350 Visual Literacy and Design Principles
- GNED 1810 Health and Wellness Foundations
- GNED 2340 Media Production and Ethics
- GNED 2880 Creative Problem Solving
- MATH 2970 Mathematics for Laboratory Science
- MRAD 1430 Clinical Chemistry I
- MRAD 1610 Hematology Principles
- MRAD 1740 Immunohematology Basics
- MRAD 2590 Urinalysis and Body Fluids
- MRAD 2880 Molecular Diagnostics
- MRAD 3100 Clinical Chemistry II
- MRAD 3590 Histopathology Techniques
- MRAD 3760 Hematology and Coagulation
What you will learn
In this program, you spend your days in modern labs and simulation centres on the Benchlands Campus, learning the skills that keep hospitals and clinics running. You will master the techniques used to analyse blood, tissue samples, and other bodily fluids. You will learn how to calibrate and maintain sophisticated diagnostic equipment, follow strict infection-prevention protocols, and record results with absolute accuracy. Because patient care depends on every number you report, you will also practice communicating clearly with healthcare teams and explaining complex test results to the public.
How the program runs
The Medical Laboratory Technology program runs full-time over three years, or six terms. Classes begin in September each year. You will spend most of your time in the School of Health Sciences, working in the simulation centre and the diagnostic labs. The schedule blends classroom theory with hands-on laboratory practice, so you graduate ready to step into a real clinical setting. You will also complete a supervised practicum in an external hospital laboratory, where you apply what you have learned under the guidance of experienced technologists.
Admission
To join this program, you must meet the standard college entry requirements. You need an Ontario Secondary School Diploma or an equivalent credential, or you can apply as a mature student if you turn 19 before classes start. You must have completed Grade 12 English and either Grade 12 Biology or Chemistry, each with a minimum grade of 60%. We review all applications on a first-come, first-served basis until space fills, so we recommend applying as soon as the intake opens.
Tuition and fees
2024–25 tuition: $3,990 per year (domestic). You will also need to pay $1,125 in annual ancillary fees, which cover your student association membership, health and dental plans, and campus services. International students should check the international tuition page for the current rate. Financial aid is available through the provincial government and through college bursaries for students who qualify.
After you graduate
Graduates of this program move directly into professional roles in hospital laboratories, independent diagnostic clinics, public health units, and research facilities. You will work as a medical laboratory technologist, performing routine and specialized tests that guide medical decisions. Many graduates also find positions in quality assurance, laboratory information systems, or as clinical liaisons for medical device companies. The program also prepares you to sit for the provincial certification exam, which is required to practise as a fully registered technologist.
How to apply
Applications for the September intake are now open. You can submit your application and upload your transcripts through the student portal. If you need help with the application process, visit the Admissions FAQ page or contact the admissions office directly. Once you receive an offer of admission, you will have a set period to accept your spot and register for classes. We look forward to welcoming you to Wrenford Polytechnic.