Minnesota North College has been named one of today’s top schools for online higher education in healthcare by EduMed.org. Minnesota North’s online medical programs have won top honors for their overall quality, affordability, and commitment to student success.

Minnesota North College, located in northern Minnesota, is home to an associate’s degree that prepares students for certification as medical laboratory technicians. In addition to core courses, students complete various general education credits that can facilitate a smooth transition to a four-year institution. Both online and on-campus programs are offered. For the online program, lectures and class work are conducted online and students work in an approved clinical setting for hands-on experience.

Minnesota North’s two-year, 62-credit program includes major courses such as laboratory techniques, applied medical terminology, hematology, and immunology. Prior to graduation, students must complete an extensive clinical internship. Students who complete their courses with a grade of C or better in each class are eligible to take the national certification exam.

“I am honored to be a recognized program in the EduMed National Ranking for our online Medical Laboratory Technician Program,” said Laura Parendo, MLT Program Director (Hibbing Campus). “This recognition legitimizes all the hard work that has gone into the success of this program over the years.

“The Medical Laboratory Technician program here at Minnesota North offers both an online and on-campus option,” Parendo explained. Our on-campus option is a two-year program in which students attend full-time. Our online program is a three-year, 100% online option offered nationwide to those working in a hospital laboratory who want to further their education and open doors for career expansion in the field.

“There is currently a great need for professionals in this field as shortages continue to spread nationwide. It is my hope that with this recognition, Minnesota North’s online MLT program will become one of the leading community college institutions offering the MLT degree. Ideally, at the national level, I hope this will bring more attention to the availability of these programs, the vital role they play in our medical field, and a better focus on the funding needed to keep them on par with the evolution and the necessary technology. .”

Across the country, as the baby boom population continues to age, healthcare careers will continue to be in high demand. Additionally, Minnesota North College has exceptionally innovative faculty, who have created mobile programs and meet students where they are. This recognition of the Medical Laboratory Technician program is a well-deserved result of this innovation.

“Our ranking showcases the schools offering future nurses and allied health professionals the best chance of success from day one in the classroom to day one on the job,” said Wes Harris, outreach coordinator for EduMed.org. “It starts with low-cost tuition, but also includes academic advising, job placement, and other key resources students need to graduate and get hired.”

EduMed.org’s ranking comes at a time when the demand for qualified medical professionals is increasing. According to Mercer, a global healthcare consulting leader, the United States will see millions of vacancies in critical healthcare positions by 2025. The roles of nurse practitioner, practical nurse and home help is expected to experience some of the biggest shortages over the next three years and beyond.

“One of the keys to solving the healthcare shortage is making higher education more accessible,” Harris said. “Online programs open the door for students who may not be able to commit to an on-campus program while working, or attend class at all. Every school in our ranking has made online learning a priority.

EduMed.org researched and analyzed over 7,700 accredited schools using data from the Integrated Post-Secondary Education Data System (IPEDS) and the schools themselves. The website’s data science team then applied a proprietary algorithm to rank all qualified schools for each health discipline.

Primary data points include:

• Academic advisory services
• Professional placement services
• Student-faculty ratio
• Tuition
• Percentage of students receiving academic financial aid
• Amount of school aid per student

To be eligible, a school must hold active regional accreditation and have at least one partially online program in the subject of the ranking. Only 8% of US post-secondary institutions have earned a ranking position.

Take a look at the full ranking to see where Minnesota North ranked: Best Online Medical Lab Tech Programs: www.edumed.org/online-schools/medical-lab-tech-mlt-programs/#2-year -schools.

Trent Janezich is the Executive Director of Advancement and Custom Education Solutions for Minnesota North College.