Medical Laboratory Assistant Certificate

Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate English Language Proficiency (ELP) for admission to credit programs by providing official documentation to the Office of the Registrar after an online application has been submitted. All ELP tests must have been obtained within two years of the date their program starts. ELP requirements are in addition to the other admission requirements noted above.

Students with Study Permits that are admitted to a program that has a practicum or clinical placement in childcare, primary/secondary school teaching or health service field occupations must complete their Medical Authorization as required by Citizenship and Immigration Canada one month prior to the start of classes. 

Health workers are responsible to attain and maintain required health and safety certifications and maintain recommended immunization standards.

For clinical and practicum placements, as a student of a Health program, you also are required to meet these standards of practice.

These health and safety requirements do not need to be submitted as part of your application. However, failure to submit the required documents will affect your progression in your chosen program.

View details about health & safety requirements for work-integrated learning (clinical and practicum) placements, including document submission deadlines.  

The Medical Lab Assistant certificate program concludes with a 6-week full-time clinical practicum placement in a working medical laboratory. All students must attend an assigned clinical site within the province of Alberta for the duration of their clinical practicum. Students responsible for coordinating their own travel and living arrangements and any associated costs. This placement occurs from the last week of February to the first week of April for the Fall Intake and the last week of October to the first week of December for the Winter Intake.

Every effort is made to consider student preferences for practicum location. However, due to availability, students may be required to travel to locations outside of their preferences in order to complete the practicum requirements.

Students presenting courses from other recognized post-secondary institutions may be granted transfer credit towards the Medical Laboratory Assistant program, visit our Recognition of Prior Learning and Transfer Credit page to learn more. 

The Medical Laboratory Assistant program recognizes the need to facilitate access to post-secondary education for both Indigenous and non-Indigenous learners. To increase participation of Indigenous Peoples the program has designated two (2) seats for qualified applicants who are First Nations, Métis, or Inuit.  After June 1 for the Fall term and October 1 for the Winter term unallocated seats will be released to qualified applicants on the waitlist if one exists for the program. 

Indigenous applicants must meet the admission requirements for the program as outlined in the Academic Calendar and qualify for a designated seat by: 

• Self-identifying as an Indigenous applicant on the Application for Admission. 
• Providing proof of Indigenous ancestry

 Proof of Indigenous ancestry (one of the following): 

• Certified copy of a Status or Treaty card, Métis membership card, Nunavut Trust Certificate card, roll number or any other proof accepted by Inuit communities. 
• Proof that an ancestor’s name has been entered in the Indian Register according to the Indian Act, band list of an individual band, or the Inuit roll. 
• Written confirmation of Indigenous ancestry from Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada. 
• Statutory Declaration by an applicant attesting to Aboriginal ancestry with supporting documentation. 

Other forms of proof may also be considered at the discretion of the Registrar.