Whether you’re interested in pursuing a career in research or biotechnology, considering entering a health profession. Study Medical Laboratory Science.

See Bachelor of Science in medical laboratory technology in Canada, post graduate diploma in medical laboratory science in Canada, medical laboratory science programs in Canada, bachelor of medical laboratory science and requirements for medical laboratory science on Collegelearners.

Program Information

School:	University of Alberta
Faculty:	Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry
Degree:	Bachelor
Field of Study:	Laboratory Medicine
Description:	Do you want to work in a fast-paced, rapidly evolving health care setting and make contributions to patient care? With a Medical Laboratory Science degree, you can become a Medical Laboratory Technologist (MLT), playing a key role behind the scenes in providing laboratory test results. MLTs require a strong sense of responsibility, a caring and professional attitude, meticulous work habits, and the ability to work in a busy and stressful environment. This versatile, professional program not only prepares you for certification with the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science but also provides you with a Bachelor of Science degree, which can be the foundation for further opportunities and study.
URL:	Medical Laboratory Science at University of Alberta
Length:	4 Year(s)

Admission Requirements

Additional Admission Requirements:

Statement of Research InterestsThis program does not allow admission directly from high school. Academic Requirements: Preprofessional Study Time: minimum ★30 (★= units of course weight). The ★30 required must include: Biology (cell biology) (★3), Biology, Genetics, Microbiology, or Zoology (★3), General Chemistry (★6), Organic Chemistry (★6), English (★6), Statistics (★3), Option from any Faculty (★3). A minimum GPA of 2.7 is required in preprofessional course work. Applicants will be ranked primarily on academic achievement in the required preprofessional courses. Other factors considered in ranking include overall academic achievement (emphasizing recent academic performance), a demonstrated ability to perform well in a consecutive Fall/Winter Term of fulltime study (preferably 30 units), a personal interview, and a letter of intent. Preference will be given to those students who have completed the required ★30 in one academic year.

Medical Laboratory Science

Degree	Bachelor of Health Sciences (Honours)
Faculty	Faculty of Health Sciences
Location	North Oshawa campus location
Start dates	September
Length	Four years
Program load	Full-time
OUAC code	DHL

Modern health care has become increasingly dependent on complex laboratory tests, the results of which aid in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. You will gain fundamental knowledge and skills in biological, physical and health sciences.

General information

Modern health care has become increasingly dependent on complex laboratory tests—the results of which aid in the diagnosis, monitoring and treatment of disease. You will gain fundamental knowledge and skills in biological, physical and health sciences. The medical laboratory science-specific courses cover five laboratory disciplines: biochemistry, hematology, histotechnology, microbiology and transfusion science. 

This program is accredited by Accreditation Canada. Upon successful completion, you are eligible to write the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science national certification examination and subsequently work in all Canadian provinces and territories.

How to Start your Medical Laboratory Science Career in Canada

The Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) is the national association and certifying body for medical laboratory professionals in Canada. CSMLS also offers prior learning services of internationally trained medical laboratory technologists (IEMLTs) for all provinces and territories except for Quebec.

CSMLS administers the certification exam and Prior Learning Assessment (PLA) services under contract to all provincial regulators except for Quebec.

CSMLS is committed to evidence-based research for PLA policies that align to industry best practices and all Fairness Commissioner requirements to ensure that the process is fair, transparent, objective, impartial, efficient, effective, and does not create artificial barriers for IEMLTs.

IEMLTs have the opportunity to establish eligibility for the CSMLS national certification examinations through a PLA.

CSMLS offers clients with the choice to start the PLA process in their country of origin which includes:

• Self-assessments
• Language proficiency testing
• An application for technical reports
• Gap-filling (can be completed offshore)
• A language fluency test (for example, TOEFL, IELTS, Can Test, and MELA)

Tips on Getting Started

Here are the requirements for assessment:

• Verification of education
• Course outlines
• Third-party agency credential authentication of degrees/diplomas
• Certification(s)
• Detailed work history (most vulnerable—difficult to authenticate)
• Continuing education (domestic or international)
• Proof of language fluency
• Self-assessment

Below are the five steps you should follow:

1. Contact the regulator of the province you want to work in for information about their licensing requirements.

A medical laboratory technologist (MLT) is a regulated profession in all provinces in Canada except for British Columbia (BC), Prince Edward Island (PEI), and the Territories. Regulation has been announced for BC and the college is expected to operate in the next 12 to 18 months. Provincial legislation (which is the law) requires individuals to get a license to work as an MLT in all regulated provinces in Canada.

Only individuals who are registered (or licensed) with their regulatory college are allowed to work in that province as an MLT. Qualification recognition is the responsibility of the provincial regulators. However, regulatory bodies acknowledge the expertise and history of CSMLS in certification and PLA. For these reasons, CSMLS offers these services under contracts to the provincial regulators. Contact the regulator of the province where you are interested in working for specific information.

2. Take time to research immigrating to Canada on PLA and MLT certification.

The Atlantic Connection’s website provides valuable information on working as an MLT in Canada. Atlantic Connection’s Self-Assessment and Readiness tools provide information on what to expect when immigrating to Canada and relative information on PLA and certification for MLT.

3. Have your credentials evaluated before leaving your home country.

Credentialing can be achieved from before immigrating to Canada to save time. Official transcripts must be verified by a credentialing agency such as World Education Services (WES) or International Credential Evaluation Service (ICES). Both require that all documents be sent directly by the issuing institution or appropriate authority. Incomplete applications may result in unnecessary delays.

4. Get your file assessed and follow the instructions on the eligibility letter.

When all transcripts and documents are received and your file is complete, including your medical laboratory science credentials, your file will be assigned to a subject matter expert PLA assessor. Most assessments are completed within six weeks. Once your assessment is complete, you will receive a letter with the outcome of the PLA assessment.

A letter detailing the results of your assessment will be mailed to you, including information on next steps. If we need more information from you or your school, we will request supplemental information at no extra cost and your file will be on hold until the additional information is received and forwarded to the PLA assessor. An eligibility letter will be mailed to you with instructions on how to proceed to write the CSMLS certification exam letter. A copy of this PLA eligibility exam letter must be submitted to the provincial regulator of the province you want to work in after passing the CSMLS certification exam.

5. Submit your application to sit for the exam.

The exam is a two-part exam, which you have to complete on the same day. The exam is administered three times a year in February, June, and October. You must apply within the application deadlines and submit the exam fee at the time of application. The application form can be found here.

When you have passed the exam, contact the regulatory body in your province and let them know you want to get registered to work.

Canada Medical Laboratory University Programs

Browse through the list of Canadian Medical Laboratory bachelor, masters, and doctorate courses, programs and degrees offered by universities in Canada.

What is Medical Laboratory?

Medical laboratory science (sometimes called biomedical science, clinical laboratory science, or cytotechnology) is the study of human biological fluids and other specimens for the purpose of diagnosing illness. Medical laboratory scientists are healthcare professionals who often work in clinical laboratories in hospitals or biotechnology labs. In addition to performing a wide array of laboratory tests, they are also responsible for confirming the accuracy of test results, and reporting laboratory findings to pathologists and other physicians.

Degree Completion Programs

Interested in furthering your career? Consider furthering your education with a degree program. We’ve gathered programs that are available in Canada and abroad.

Canada
University of British Columbia
BMLSc – Medical Laboratory Science

Athabasca:
Bachelor of Science

University of Alberta:
Medical Laboratory Science – Post-Certification Program

Memorial University:
Graduate Program in Biochemistry

University of New Brunswick:
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (BMLS)

University of Windsor:
Bachelor of Forensic Science

B.Sc. Honours Biology and Biochemistry (Health and Biomedical Stream)

B.Sc. Honours Biochemistry or Honours Biology and Biochemistry (Health and Biomedical Stream)

B.Sc. Honours Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Graduate Programs

Dalhousie University:
Post Diploma BHSC Program

University of Ontario Institute of Technology:
Bachelor of Allied Health Science

International
London Metropolitan University (Distance Learning):
Blood Science – MSc

Charles Sturt:
Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science (Pathology)

Bachelor of Health and Medical Science

Anglia Ruskin University (A.R.U.):
Biomedical Science MSc