Mandy Ortel
Professor Rob Frank
English 209 
December 2, 2009

A Two Year Degree vs. a Four Year Degree in Laboratory Science

Table of Contents
Cost Comparison
College Comparison
Salary Trends
Abstract
Introduction
Option1:  An Associates Degree
Option2:  A Bachelors Degree
First Conclusion
Potential School – Option 1:  Harrisburg Area Community College
Potential School – Option 2:  Harford County Community College
Potential School – Option 3:  Montgomery County Community College
Conclusions
Recommendations
Works Cited

Cost Comparison

College Comparison

	Selective
Program	Transfer
To 4-year
College	Specialized in
Medical Field	Costs	# of
Credits	
Harrisburg Area Community College				$14,282	74	
Harford Community College	
			$10,010	65	
Montgomery County Community College				$13,002	63	

Salary Trends

Abstract
	When choosing to enter a career in the Laboratory Science field, one must decide which educational path to explore, an Associates Degree or a Bachelors Degree.  It is important to look at which choice benefits you both now and in the future.  An AA degree in Science Laboratory Technology allows for immediate employment into various types of laboratories while allowing you to further your education if so desired.  The costs associated with this degree and also the amount of credits required to complete it, are both lower then pursuing a Bachelors degree at a higher cost and a longer completion time.  

Introduction
With the advances in science, new laboratory methods are developing to aid in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases.  In addition to the medical field, other industries utilize laboratories for research and development, and quality control for their products.  According to the United States Department of Labor, the volume of laboratory tests continues to increase with both population growth and the development of new types of tests (USDL), therefore creating a higher demand for Laboratory professionals such as Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians and Technologists. To prepare for a career in this field however, several questions may arise as to what career path is right for someone interested in the laboratory technology field and what is involved to obtain it.  Should you pursue an Associates Degree from a community college or technical school, or would a Bachelors Degree from a state or private college be more beneficial? Also, which school is right for you?

Option1:  An Associates Degree
An Associates Degree (AA) prepares students for a position in the Laboratory Science field as a Laboratory Technician.  Laboratory Technicians are a more general position and can allow someone employment in the medical field as well as industry and veterinary labs where as Medical Laboratory Technicians are more specific in health and medicine with most jobs being held in hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, and public health organizations.   Students entering the work force as a Lab Technician can expect to make an average of $33,000 per year as their base salary (indeed.com).  Students entering into this program can expect to complete their degree in two to three years.  Courses vary slightly from school to school, but the majority of the classes focus on Biology and Chemistry.  Some programs may be more medical specific and require a few extra classes specializing in certain kinds of tests that would be performed in a laboratory.
Few technical schools, if any, offer this kind of program, but several community colleges do offer a form of Laboratory Science as an Associate Degree program.  Fees for community colleges are charged per credit hour.  This program averages about 70 credit hours with an average price of $177 per credit hour.  With information obtained from the Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC), Harford Community College (HCCC), and Montgomery County Community College (MCCC), the total cost for this degree is an average of $12,390.  As with all colleges and universities, scholarships, grants, and financial aid are always an option for some students.  

Option2:  A Bachelors Degree
The other path that needs to be explored is a Bachelors of Science Degree (BS) in Clinical Laboratory Science. This degree prepares the student to enter the field as a Laboratory Technologist.  This profession is also referred to as a Laboratory Scientist.  With this degree, one can expect to enter into a job at hospitals, doctors’ offices, clinics, and research facilities.  In these jobs, duties would be more complex and require more skill then that of a Technician (USDL).  This position is similar to a manager of a lab.  If you are working in a smaller lab, your specific tasks would vary, but in larger labs you may be able to specialize in one particular area.  Students who hold a BS in this field can expect to make an average of $48,000 a year as their base salary (indeed.com). 
A BS is commonly referred to as a four year degree.  Students entering into this program can expect to complete their degree in four to six years since the amount of time will vary depending on their situation.  With any Bachelors Degree, general education requirements must be completed in addition to the courses outlined for this major.  The majority of the classes focus on Biology and Chemistry.  The amount of courses in this degree varies greatly from that of an AA degree.  A BS program will be more in depth and specialized in the Laboratory Science field.  
Fees for a state college or university vary greatly from school to school.  They often advise of tuition and fees for each academic year and include books, room and board, and meals as well.  Based on information from York College of Pennsylvania (YCP), Youngstown University (YU), and Eastern Kentucky University (EKU), an in state student who commutes to campus would expect to pay $9,576 per year, for a total cost of $38,224 for a four year Bachelors degree.  
First Conclusion
Education is an investment and what you do with it places you in the working society.  Due to hectic schedules and financial responsibilities, an Associates Degree would be more beneficial.  It would allow you to get into your profession more quickly and start seeing a return in your investment.  With the cost being much lower then a Bachelors degree, it also would not hit as hard on your wallet.  An AA can always be the start of a BS degree.  An AA leaves the door open to further your education later on down the road, while at the same time still allowing you to gain valuable experience from working in your field. 

Potential School – Option 1:  Harrisburg Area Community College
A few local community colleges in the Maryland and Pennsylvania area offer a Laboratory Science program:  Harrisburg Area Community College in York County Pennsylvania, Harford County Community College in Bel Air Maryland, and Montgomery County Community College in Blue Bell Pennsylvania. 
Harrisburg Area Community College (HACC) offers an Associates of Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology.  The outline of their program consists of 74 credits over a 6 semester period.  Over half of the credits earned in this institution are in specialized Medical Laboratory Technology classes labeled as MLT courses.  This degree is very medically oriented and would definitely be suitable for someone interested more in the medical side of a laboratory.  This is a selective program however, and admission to the college doesn't guarantee admission to the clinical component of the program (HACC). Students will be admitted as a pre-medical lab tech student and have to work with their advisor to apply to the clinical/core component of the program (HACC).  If accepted, and this particular degree is obtained at this college, one can expect to pay approximately $14,282 as an in state commuter (HACC).  Students can also transfer to a four year college with these credits and continue their education to complete a BS degree, if so desired.  

Potential School – Option 2:  Harford County Community College
Harford County Community College (HCCC) offers an Associate of Applied Science degree in Science Laboratory Technology.  Their degree outline is made up of 65 credits and requires no special acceptance into the program.  The courses required are a mix of Biology, Chemistry, and Physics and prepares students for employment in chemical, biological, and physical laboratories, not just a medical facility.  This program also allows for easy transfer to a four year institution to complete a BS degree.  One can expect to pay approximately $10,010 upon completion of this program at HCCC (HCCC) if you are an in state commuter.

Potential School – Option 3:  Montgomery County Community College
Montgomery County Community College (MCCC) is another location that offers an Associates of Applied Science Degree in Medical Laboratory Technology.  They require 63 credits to complete this degree, but have several requirements of the students who enroll in this selective program.  Students need to have either a total SAT score of 800, an ACT score of 18, or fourteen semester hours of a science course from the general education requirements (MCC).  Secondly, students are required to purchase their own malpractice insurance, uniforms, and to provide their own transportation to and from all clinical assignments (MCCC). In addition to having a physical examination within six months prior to entering the program, they must also provide evidence of immunity to Hepatitis B and childhood diseases (MCCC). Students are also required to have a urine drug screen at the beginning of each academic year.  In addition, all students may be required to be the subjects of laboratory tests such as venipuncture, capillary puncture, bleeding time, and urinalysis (MCCC). The college also requires a full criminal background check on all students entering into this program.  Costs for this program are approximately $13,002 if you live in state and commute to campus.  

Conclusions
With so much criteria to examine and possible avenues to explore, one must choose a path suitable for your own professional goals.  An AA degree in Science Laboratory Technology at the Harford Community College would be the best recommendation.  This degree allows for a wide range of career opportunities, allowing the student to enter into occupations including, but not limited to medical facilities, research laboratories, food and drug manufacturing, and even forensics.  Being able to attend classes around a currently held job and family responsibilities is a major factor when continuing ones education.  HCCC allows a student to do all of those things by providing classes at various times throughout the day and evening.  Another contributing factor is that this college has no limiting requirements such as test scores or physical examinations, and you do not have to go through a selection process.  Selecting and accepting only a few students into a program, can be very discouraging for students interested in this field.  Students should be able to choose a degree of their choice and apply themselves to succeed and achieve their goals.  Lastly, with today’s struggling economy, cost is probably the most important factor for a student.  All of the community colleges charge per credit hour and their rates depend on the students’ place of residence.  With HCCC, the rates were significantly lower then HACC and MCCC. 

Recommendations
Laboratory professionals play a significant role in both health care and product industry.  Choosing the correct educational path to establish a career in Laboratory Science will be a decision you carry with you throughout your life.  You need this decision to be one that benefits you both now and in the future.  An AA degree through Harford Community College would be the right decision to enter into a career of laboratory research and technology and in addition, open a portal for the future.

Works Cited 
“Clinical Laboratory Technologists and Technicians.” US Department of Labor: Bureau of Labor Statistics. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Office of Occupational Statistics and Employment Projections, 18 Dec. 2007. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.bls.gov//.htm#emply>.
“Cost of Attendance.” Montgomery County Community College. Montgomery County Community College, 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.mc3.edu///.aspx>.
“Costs.” York College of Pennsylvania. York College of Pennsylvania, 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.ycp.edu//​208.htm>.
“Lab Technician Salaries.” www.indeed.com. www.indeed.com, 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.indeed.com//-Technician.html>.
“Lab Technologists Salaries.” www.indeed.com. www.indeed.com, 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.indeed.com/?q1=Lab+Technologists&l1=>.
“Medical Laboratory Technician AAS.” Montgomery County Community College. Montgomery County Community College, 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.mc3.edu///.aspx>.
“Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) .” Harrisburg Area Community College. Harrisburg Area Community College, 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.hacc.edu////.cfm>.
“Salary Wizard.” www.salary.com. www.salary.com inc., 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://swz.salary.com///​swzl_selectjob.asp?op=salswz_psr&hdSearchByOption=0&hdLocationOption=0&hdKeyword=laboratory&hdJobCategory=&hdZipCode=17363&hdStateMetro=&hdNarrowDesc=&rdbSearchByOption=0&txtKeyword=laboratory&rdbLocationOption=0&txtZipCode=17363>.
“Science Laboratory Technology.” Harford Community College. Harford Community College, 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.harford.edu///.pdf>.
“Tuition and Costs.” Youngstown State University . Youngstown State University, 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://cfweb.cc.ysu.edu//_tuition.cfm>.
“Tuition and Fees.” Harford County Community College. Harford County Community College, 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.harford.edu//.asp?FA=Apply>.
“Tuition and Fees.” Harrisburg Area Community College. Harrisburg Area Community College, 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.hacc.edu///.cfm>.
“Tuition Charges.” Harrisburg University of Science and Technology . Harrisburg University of Science and Technology , 2009. Web. 26 Oct. 2009. <http://www.harrisburgu.edu//​tuition.php>.