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Admission Procedures

Admission to the School of Medical Technology is open to qualified students. Entrance dates are late January and late July of each year. Applications should be submitted six (6) months before the date for which admission is requested. All supporting documentation should be received no later than five (5) months before the date for which admission is requested. Three to five students are accepted in late January and another three to five students are accepted in late July of each year.

Address all correspondence to:

    Program Director
    School of Medical Technology
    Shands Jacksonville
    655 West 8th Street
    Jacksonville, Florida 32209-6597

    (904) 244-9520
    jim.sigler@jax.ufl.edu

Application Process

Completed application files must contain:

1. The completed Shands Jacksonville, School of Medical Technology application form.

2. Current official transcripts, mailed directly from the registrars' office from all colleges and universities attended. In addition, Spring semester transcripts for late January applicants and Fall semester transcripts for late July applicants for courses in progress are to be forwarded as soon as available from the registrar's office.

3. List of courses in progress, or planned.

4. Recent physician's statement of physical and mental health status or copy of recent physical examination.

5. Three (3) letters of recommendation.

    a. At least two (2) letters must be from college/university biology and/or chemistry professors.

    b. The third letter may be a professional reference.

    c. The applicant is responsible for requesting that these references be mailed to the Program Director, School of Medical Technology.

6. A letter of eligibility (or conditional eligibility contingent upon successful completion of courses planned or in progress) from the academic affiliate in which the applicant is enrolled. Degree candidates from non-affiliated schools must submit a letter of "anticipated graduation" from the registrar's office of their school.

7. A brief biographical sketch in one's own handwriting.

8. Official foreign transcript evaluation to be forwarded to the Program Director, School of Medical Technology, by the transcript evaluation office. (Foreign applicants only.)

FOREIGN TRANSCRIPT EVALUATION

Individuals who possess a foreign baccalaureate degree may be considered for admission if enrolled in a United States college/university integrated medical technology program, or if admitted to an accredited graduate program in a United States college/university whereby the college/university has accepted the foreign degree.

Only those students who have completed their education in a foreign country and will not be awarded a United States baccalaureate degree from a regional accredited college/university are required to submit a transcript evaluation verifying United States baccalaureate degree equivalency before consideration for admission into the program.

Foreign transcripts should be sent to one of the foreign transcript evaluation agencies. Addresses are available upon request.

PRE-CLINICAL EDUCATION REQUIREMENTS FOR ADMISSION

A minimum of three (3) years of college/university academic credit (90 semester hours or 135 quarter hours) must be successfully completed. These credits must be acceptable as the first three years of a baccalaureate level in medical technology program of colleges/universities affiliated with Shands Jacksonville or a baccalaureate degree in medical technology, chemistry or biological science.

SPECIFIC REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

  • CHEMISTRY

    • A minimum of 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) acceptable toward a major in chemistry or medical technology to include on full academic year of general chemistry with laboratory and one full academic year of organic chemistry with laboratory. Biochemistry may be substituted for one-half of the organic chemistry requirement. Survey courses are not acceptable. Additional recommended courses include quantitative analysis, clinical chemistry and instrumental analysis.

  • BIOLOGICAL SCIENCE

    • A minimum of 16 semester hours (24 quarter hours) acceptable toward a degree or major in biology or medical technology to include general biology, microbiology (including bacteriology) and a separate course in immunology. Additional recommended courses include genetics, anatomy, physiology, parasitology and molecular biology.

  • MATHEMATICS

    • A minimum of one course in college level mathematics to include algebra, trigonometry and/or calculus. Minimum requirements are met by courses recognized as prerequisites for admission to physics courses. Additional recommended courses include statistics and computer science.

  • PHYSICS

    • One full year of physics with laboratory is recommended.

    GENERAL REQUIREMENTS INCLUDE:

    • Sufficient credit hours for additional courses to satisfy all pre-clinical requirements of the college/university in which the student is enrolled in order to be eligible for a baccalaureate degree upon completion of the clinical program.

    • Sufficient credit hours in additional courses that insure a broad academic background, including English, social science, and humanities.

    • A minimum overall grade point average of 2.5 on a 4.0 scale, with grades of "C" or better in each required course, unless otherwise stated in any affiliation agreement.

    • All required courses must have been completed no more than seven (7) years before application is made. Courses completed before this time must be updated in a manner acceptable to the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

    • Equivalency testing of qualified students is utilized to shorten the clinical experience and/or give advanced placement in the program.

    MINIMUM TECHNICAL STANDARDS (Essential Functions)

    Students must meet the following essential functions:

    • Visual acuity to identify cellular structure under the microscope.
    • Discriminate/differentiate shades/hues of color.
    • Physical and manual dexterity to collect, process and analyze lab test specimens in a timely fashion as well as process sharps and biohazards and hazards without endangering self and others.
    • Ability to communicate with patients, visitors and other medical staff (written and oral or written and sign language).

    ADA Essential Functions are discussed with applicants at the time of interview. Copies of ADA Essential Functions are distributed to students at the time of acceptance into the program.

    SELECTION PROCESS

    The selection process is based upon the analysis of all relevant information on each applicant by the Admissions Committee, to include among others:

    • Assessment of student records
    • Academic and professional references
    • Motivation and goals
    • Attitude and potential
    • Interview
    • Verbal and non-verbal qualities
    • Potential for service in the surrounding geographic area

    Interviews are conducted by one or more members of the Admissions Committee after reviewing the candidate's completed file. Personal interviews may be arranged by contacting the Program Director at (904) 244-9520.

    Appropriate letters of acceptance or denial are mailed along with letters to alternates.

    Admission may be refused to any student who does not meet stated criteria.

    A fee of $300.00 (subject to change) is required with the student's acceptance letter into the program. This fee is non-refundable and is applied toward the purchase of required textbooks.

    A criminal background check and hospital physical examination must be successfully completed before program and hospital orientations can be scheduled.

    The program does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, sex, national origin, religion, handicap or ethnic origin in the administration of admission procedures.

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