Quick Facts
Credential:
Certificate
Certificates are credit programs that take 1 year or less and lead to government approved and industry-recognized credentials.
Campus:
Main
Any in-person components of your courses will be delivered at NAIT's Main Campus in Edmonton. View map
Delivery Options:
- On-Campus Evening and/or Weekend - Your course activity is done in-person on weekdays in the evening, or Saturdays and Sundays.
- Online Evening and/or Weekend - Your course activity is done online on weekdays in the evening, or Saturdays and Sundays.
- Both On-Campus and Virtual - Some of your coursework will be in-person, on campus and some will be done online.
Length:
1 year
Our Structured Part-Time Pathways model allows busy professionals to work during the day while they pursue a diploma education in the evening. These pathways have a set schedule of 2-3 courses per term.
Open Studies:
Available
This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in. View courses
International Students:
Not Accepted
This program is not accepting international students for this intake.
Grad Employment Rate
Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.
Download report
Median Starting Salary: $45,843
Salaries are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and are not a guarantee of future income.
View Career Outcomes
Work Integrated Learning: Clinical Placement
This program has Work Integrated Learning (WIL). WIL is a form of experiential learning that integrates academic studies with relevant work-based learning. Experiences are directly tied to curriculum and part of an approved program of study.
View Work Integrated Learning
What you will learn
Hands-on, industry-relevant training
As part of the health-care team, Medical Laboratory Assistants are trained in the collection of specimens from the patient, the initial processing and preparation of specimens for analysis, data entry, performance of phlebotomy and ECGs, urinalysis, specified basic laboratory procedures, and the laboratory information system (LIS).
In the program, students learn how to provide quality patient care by being introduced to:
- How to work safety in a level II containment laboratory
- The process of collection of specimens for analysis
- How to procure quality laboratory specimens for analysis
- How to think critically, to communicate, and to collaborate professionally
- The professional responsibility of an MLA, including scope of practice, ethics, accountability, and professional development
Students in the Medical Laboratory Assisting Structured Part-Time Pathway can expect to spend 37 weeks in classes and clinical training, where they will learn and practice the skills required to be an MLA.
Semester 1 and 2
The first 2 semesters (30 weeks) will be spent at NAIT main campus in a blend of virtual and in-person classes and labs during weekday evenings and weekends.
Students can expect to spend on average:
Semester 3
Semester 3 consists of 7 weeks of Work Integrated Learning (WIL) at an affiliated training site in Edmonton, Grande Prairie, Wetaskiwin, Wainwright, Westlock, Camrose and surrounding areas throughout Alberta. WIL provides practical experience in a variety of clinical settings. Emphasis is placed on practical application of concepts studied at NAIT and on development of organizational and professionalism skills.
What you need to know about Structured Part-Time Pathways
NOTE: Be sure to select the "Structured Part-Time Pathways" option when you apply with Apply Alberta.
Our Structured Part-Time Pathways model allows busy professionals to work during the day while they pursue a diploma education in the evening. It can also give parents added flexibility to provide care for their children.
It is important to note course MELA1196 (Clinical Training) requires full-day attendance for 7 weeks in an assigned clinical setting.
Thanks to a set schedule of 2-3 courses a term, our students study with the confidence of knowing they will acquire the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in the workforce, and graduate as quickly as possible. While intensive, this schedule is designed to allow students to fully absorb the information and balance coursework with everyday life.
All of our courses are taught by experts with industry experience in the real world who take pride in the quality education NAIT provides, and the success of their students.
Learn more about Structured Part-Time Pathways
Information for international students
Some NAIT programs are unavailable to international students because they do not meet eligibility for a study permit or Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Study Permit: This program is offered in a part-time structure and therefore, is still eligible for a study permit; however, study permit holders do not have permission to work while studying part-time.
Co-Op Work Permit: Students enrolled in this program must complete a Clinical Placement. As such, you must apply for a co-op work permit and receive approval before the start of your work placement.
Post-Graduation Work Permit: Due to the part-time nature of Structured Part-Time Programs, this program does not meet the criteria for the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) Program. Completion of this program will not make you eligible for a PGWP.
International applicants seeking permissions to take this program can contact a NAIT Academic Advisor – International to discuss options.
Career Outcomes
As a graduate of the program, you are eligible to challenge the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science exam to obtain national certification as a medical laboratory assistant in Canada.
Please refer to the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) website to learn more about their requirements for licensing/mandatory registration and declaration of conduct, which may include disclosure of information related to criminal convictions and professional misconduct or incompetence as well as any personal factors that could impact the ability to practice safely.
Build your resume before you even graduate
Explore work experience opportunities that help grads get hired even sooner.
View Work Integrated Learning
Work Experience Placements
Courses and Advanced Credit
Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.
Advanced Credit
You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).
Transfer Credit
In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:
- You must have completed the course or program no more than 2 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
- You must have a minimum mark of C- in the course(s) or program
Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.
Courses
Expand each course below to see details about credits, requisites, scheduling, and more.
Scholarships & Awards
The following scholarships and/or bursaries are available to you as a student in this program. To access your opportunities, visit the Student Portal.