1. MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY INFORMATION session
El Centro College
The Center for Allied Health
and Nursing
MEDICAL LABORATORY TECHNOLOGY
INFORMATION session
Please turn on your speakers.
In order to gain the most knowledge about our program, please download a Medical Laboratory Technology information packet from the following website and review it thoroughly before viewing this online information session. This online presentation is approximately 40 minutes in length.

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Helpful hints regarding our online information session.
As you view our information session, you will see links to various webpages which will be of interest to you. You may click on those links which will open another window and then simply close that window to return to the information session. The presentation will resume at the point where you left initially.
You may exit this online information session by pressing the Escape key, however, you are required to view the entire information session from the beginning and in its entirety to receive credit for your “attendance.”
You may view this online information session as many times as you desire.
Let’s begin!

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Welcome …
……. to the Medical Laboratory Technology Program at El Centro College.
I am Lisa Lock, the coordinator of the program, and I am delighted that you are interested in our allied health program. The following online information session will cover the important areas that you need to know about the profession, the application process, the curriculum, and the program itself.
I hope you enjoy this presentation and I look forward to meeting you if you decide that Medical Laboratory Technology is the program for you!
Lisa Lock
MBA, BSMT, MT(ASCP), BB, CLS (NCA)
Medical Lab Program Coordinator

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What is Medical Laboratory Technology?”
Medical Laboratory Technicians use advanced instrumentation and testing methods in the clinical setting on patient specimens such as tissue, blood, and other body fluids. Medical Laboratory Technicians type and cross match blood samples for transfusions, and microscopically analyze cells and micro organisms for disease pathology to aid in patient diagnosis.

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Where are Medical Lab Technologists employed?
Medical Lab Technologists are generally employed in hospitals and independent laboratories. Employment opportunities may be full-time or part-time.
Entry level salaries vary depending upon the facility and the individual’s experience. For salary ranges in the DFW area, see the link below for the Bureau of Labor Statistics:
See these links for professional organizations and more information on the Medical Laboratory Technologist profession:

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A few facts about the Medical Lab Technology program:
Seventy-two credit hour curriculum leading to an Associate Degree in Applied Sciences.
A class of ten to twelve (10-12) students is selected via a ranking system utilizing grade point average and completion of the Medical Laboratory Core Curriculum. The program begins in mid-May each year.
The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Graduates of this Associate Degree program are eligible to take the Board of Certification exam for the MLT (ASCP) credential awarded by the National Accreditation Agency (NAACLS) for Clinical Laboratory Sciences.

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As a student in the Medical Lab program, what will I learn?
Hematology
Immunohematology
Clinical Chemistry
Immunoserology
Microbiology
Disease Pathology
Patient Care Skills
Clinical Applications

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When and where are the Medical Lab lecture classes and hospital clinical rotations?
Program lecture classes and usually clinical rotations are daytime hours during the week. Clinical locations are assigned and vary among health care facilities in the DFW area.
LECTURE CLASS (Main campus):
Lecture class–1-2 days per week
HOSPITAL ROTATIONS:
Clinical – 3-4 days per week

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What is the cost of the Medical Lab program??
The cost of the Medical Laboratory Technology program is primarily based upon your residency status for tuition purposes. Please see the current tuition schedule in the official El Centro College catalog at the following link:
The estimated cost of the Medical Lab program below includes tuition for Medical Lab Core courses and program courses, textbooks, uniforms, etc.
Dallas County resident Out of County TX resident Out of State/Country resident
$ 6, $9, $ 13,871.00
Please see the Medical Laboratory Technology information packet for cost estimates itemized per semester for this Associate Degree program.

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How do I get started?
First time college student?
Apply for college admission either online or in person at the El Centro College Registrar’s Office or at one of the Registrar/Admissions Offices at any Dallas County Community college.
Speak with an academic advisor in regard to any assessment testing needed for placement and registration into your basic courses such as English, algebra, anatomy, etc. or any developmental courses as needed to prepare you for college level coursework.

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Are you new to El Centro but have coursework from colleges (other than Dallas County Community colleges)?
Apply for college admission either online or in person at the El Centro College Registrar’s Office or at one of the Registrar/Admissions Offices at any Dallas County Community college.
Submit all official transcripts to the El Centro College Registrar/Admissions Office or at another Dallas County Community college.
Consult an academic advisor in regard to any assessment testing you may need for registration.
Request an Educational Plan from the Health Occupations Admissions Office to evaluate your previous coursework for possible transfer toward a health occupations program.

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What is an Educational Plan?
The educational plan is an unofficial degree plan listing the courses you have completed (including transferred courses) toward the program.
Educational plans are not necessary if you have attended only Dallas County Community colleges.
The educational plan is usually processed within 4-6 weeks of submission but make take longer to complete during peak times.
We suggest that you request an educational plan at least one semester prior to an application deadline.
The Educational Plan Request form is found on the blue “Resources for Potential Applicants” link at:

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Medical Lab Core Curriculum – Associate Degree
The 34 credit hour Medical Lab Core Curriculum is the group of prerequisite courses for the program and includes courses required for all Associate Degrees in addition to courses needed for a foundation in healthcare programs. All courses must be completed with a minimum grade of “C” or higher.
A minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average is required on ENGL 1301 and either BIOL 2401 or SCIT 1407 in addition to a minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average on the remaining Core courses to apply to the program.
Applicants to the MLAB program should ideally complete the entire Core before applying to the program. However, students who are completing their Core during a spring semester should also apply during the official filing period.
The Medical Lab Core Curriculum courses are listed here:
ENGL CHEM 1411 * HPRS 1204 * MATH 1314 or MATH 1414 CHEM 1412 * HPRS 2201 *
BIOL 2401 or SCIT 1407* BIOL 2420 or 2421 * HPRS 2231
BIOL 2402 or SCIT 1408* PSYC HPRS 2300 *
SPCH 1311 or Humanities elective *

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Medical Lab Core Curriculum – Associate Degree
* Science courses must be completed less than 5 years before the semester of anticipated
program entry.
* HPRS must be completed less than 3 years before the semester of anticipated
* A grade of “B” or better is required in SCIT and SCIT for those courses
to substitute for BIOL and BIOL
* BIOL has it’s own prerequisite which is BIOL
* BIOL or SCIT is the prerequisite for HPRS and HPRS
* Select the Humanities elective from the list of approved electives for a General
Associate Degree. See the Medical Lab information packet for details.

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What else will I need before I apply to the program?
PHYSICAL EXAM
All applicants must obtain a basic physical exam dated no more than one year before the program application deadline.
The physical exam can be performed by their personal physician or at an immediate care clinic.
The physical exam form is available for download and print at the blue “Resources for Potential Applicants” link on the following website:

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What about immunizations?
Applicants are required to present documentation of a current tuberculosis screening with their application materials.
The date of the tuberculosis screening (“PPD” skin test) must be less than one year before the anticipated program entry date.
A chest x-ray exam is required if:
The TB screen shows a positive result
The applicant has had a history of positive TB screens
The applicant has received the BCG inoculation

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In addition, the following immunizations are also required:
Two doses of measles (rubeola) and one dose each of mumps and rubella (two doses of the “MMR” measles/mumps/rubella combination received at least one month apart will also meet this requirement)
One dose of Tetanus/Diphtheria/Pertussis (“Tdap”) within the last 10 years
Two doses of varicella (chickenpox) at least one month apart
(NOTE: A statement of “disease history” of chickenpox is NOT accepted.)
Three doses of Hepatitis B on this recommended schedule:
1st Dose
2nd Dose one month after the 1st dose
3rd Dose five months after the 2nd dose
Detailed guidelines for immunization requirements and the Physical Exam form found on the blue “Resources for Potential Applicants” link at:

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If your doctor is administering these immunizations, the date of the injection and the doctor’s signature must be indicated on that specific line on the immunization section of the physical exam form.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
A statement of immune by history of disease, dates of illness such as measles, chickenpox, mumps, etc., or a general statement of “immune” is not acceptable documentation for the immunizations required for application to the program.

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You may have separate records for some of your immunizations on a printout from a clinic or a card with childhood immunizations. You may submit a photocopy of that documentation attached with your physical exam form. These documents do not necessarily need a signature. See examples below.

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What if I can’t find any of my immunization records?
We can accept documentation of a blood tests known as a “titers” in lieu of these immunizations: measles, mumps, rubella, varicella (chickenpox) and Hepatitis B. Titer results are not accepted for Tdap.
Titer documentation must show positive immunity and/or numeric lab values .
IMPORTANT! If a titer result does not indicate immunity, you must complete that immunizations as required before submitting your application packet. Therefore, titers should be ordered at least six weeks prior to an application filing deadline. This would allow you to receive two injections at least one month apart for MMR’s, or varicella’s, or the first two Hepatitis B injections prior to the application deadline.

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Examples of titer reports indicating positive immunity/lab values are:

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What do I submit as my application packet?
Compile these materials for your envelope:
The completed Medical Laboratory Technology Application form
The signed Statement of Students’ Responsibility form
The completed physical exam form and immunization documentation
A Checklist to help you gather your materials in found in the information packet.

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Remember……
All official transcripts from colleges other than El Centro College and Dallas County Community colleges must be on file at the Registrar’s Office before you submit your application materials!

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When do I submit my application packet?
The official application filing period for each Medical Lab Technology class is:
January 1 – March 15
Application is not a first-come, first-served process. Applications may be submitted at any time during the filing period.
Late application filing (if necessary):
March 15 – May 10
Late applications must be submitted in person.
It should not be assumed that late applications will be necessary for every Medical Lab class each year.

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Where do I submit my application packet?
You may submit your application packet in person or by mail:
In person: By mail:
Medical Lab Admissions Medical Lab Admissions
Health Occupations Admissions Health Occupations Admissions
Paramount Building, Room P-101 El Centro College/Paramount
301 North Market Street 801 Main Street
Dallas, TX Dallas, TX
BE SURE YOUR APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE COMPLETE AND RECEIVED IN HEALTH OCCUPATIONS ADMISSIONS IN PERSON OR POSTMARKED NO LATER THAN MARCH 15th.
INCOMPLETE APPLICATION MATERIALS WILL BE DISQUALIFIED.

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How are applicants selected for the program?
NOTE: Students must earn a minimum cumulative GPA on two primary prerequisite courses from the Medical Lab Core Curriculum (ENGL 1301 and either BIOL 2401 or SCIT 1407) to qualify for the program.
Applicants are rank ordered by the following criteria:
Grade point average on the two primary prerequisites from the Medical Lab Core Curriculum (4.00 to 2.50)
Total credit hours of the Medical Lab Core Curriculum completed with a grade of “C” or higher (44 credit hours maximum)
Grade point average on the remaining Medical Lab Core Curriculum courses
Date of viewing the Medical Lab Technology online information session

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How are applicants selected for the program?
NOTE: Students who have completed the entire 44 credit hour Medical
Laboratory Core Curriculum are given first priority for acceptance
to the program.
However, if space is still available in the program after these students have been ranked, the program coordinator at her discretion may consider students who have most of the Core completed but may be lacking one or two courses such as speech, the humanities elective, or HPRS courses.
Therefore, these students should plan to submit their application packets during the regular filing period January 1 – March 15.
Students who have not completed several courses such as college algebra, and both anatomy/physiology and chemistry courses are generally not considered in this late application process.

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How are students notified of acceptance?
All applicants to the Medical Lab Technology program receive a notification by May 1, informing them of their status.
Qualified applicants who had completed the entire Medical Lab Core Curriculum receive an official acceptance to the program.
If applicants who are completing their Medical Lab Core courses during the spring semester are considered, they would receive a provisional acceptance which is contingent upon their successful completion of their spring Core courses.
Accepted students must respond to the within a specified timeframe to confirm their space in the class.
Applicants who are not offered acceptance to the program may re-apply for the next year. There is no waiting list for our health occupations programs.

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New MLAB Student Registration
The Medical Lab program begins in May term each year. Therefore, students are actually registered for their MLAB courses on the first Monday class day of their program. Tuition is also due on that day.
Health Occupations Admissions personnel will visit the new students on their first class day and explain the registration process.
Health Occupations Admissions personnel will also formally assign the students to their Medical Lab Technology degree plans.

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What will a sample class schedule look like?
Semester I - May/Summer I
Lecture/Lab classes MTWRF 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Clinical (selected days) 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Semester II - Fall
Lecture/Lab classes MTR 8:30 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Clinical (two days per week) 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m.
Semester III - Spring
Lecture/Lab classes MTWR 8:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
(No clinical in spring)
Semester IV – Summer I
Clinical MTWR 8:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

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At what hospitals would I do my clinical rotations?
Clinical assignments will vary among selected Metroplex area clinical affiliates.
Students are assigned to their specific clinical rotations.
You can expect to be at 2-3 different clinical sites during the program.
Students wear official program scrub uniforms during clinical rotations.

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Criminal Background Checks / Drug Screen
After acceptance to the program and before their first clinical rotation, students will undergo a criminal background check and drug screen as required by our hospital affiliates for all health occupations programs.
Students will be responsible for this charge (approximately $86.00). All results of these screenings will become the property of the Health and Legal Studies Division and will not be released to the student or another third party.
More information on the background check/drug screen requirement is found at the “Resources for Potential Applicants” link at the following website:

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Criminal Background Checks / Drug Screen
IMPORTANT NOTE
Students with a previous felony or misdemeanor are not prohibited from applying to a health occupations program.
However, the result of the background check and drug screen after acceptance may prevent the student from attending a clinical rotation at our hospital sites, resulting in the student being dismissed from the program.
Therefore, potential applicants should contact the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) prior to applying to the program to determine their eligibility to take the Board of Certification exam. More information is found at the following link on the ASCP website:

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A Few Frequently Asked Questions….
I have a full-time job. Can I work while I’m in the Medical Lab program?
The Medical Lab Core Curriculum classes are offered day, evening, weekend, and some online schedules; therefore, a potential applicant has the flexibility to work before they apply to the Medical Lab program.
After acceptance and starting the Medical Lab courses themselves, many students do work part time. The on-campus classes meet 1-2 days per week and the clinical rotations are a total of 20 hours per week, generally during the daytime hours and during the weekdays. However, there may evening or weekend clinical rotations available on a limited basis.
Students in the Medical Laboratory Technology program are not paid while doing their clinical rotations.

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A Few Frequently Asked Questions….
I am going to apply for financial aid. May I use it for the Medical Lab program?
Yes! To apply for financial aid, please see the guidelines on the El Centro website at
Students should apply for financial aid well in advance of program application.
See the Health & Legal Studies Division Office in Room P-712 at the Paramount Building for available scholarship information.

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A Few Frequently Asked Questions….
Are there advancement opportunities after completing the El Centro College Medical Laboratory Technology program?
Yes! Students may pursue a Bachelor’s Degree in Medical Technology at several Texas universities. Most of these programs will transfer the El Centro Medical Laboratory Technology Associate Degree classes in total with the addition of an organic chemistry course and the additional general courses for a bachelor’s degree such as history, government, etc.
There are also several sub-specialties of credentialing including blood banking, microbiology, hematology, molecular biology, etc.
Graduates of the El Centro College Medical Laboratory Technology program who have a previous bachelor’s degree in another area may be eligible to take the Board of Registry exam for the Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS-ASCP) credential. The graduate must have had specific work experience as a Medical Laboratory Technician under the supervision of a clinical laboratory scientist.

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Frequently Asked Questions (cont.)
I earned a “C” in my English course several years ago. I would like to repeat it to earn a higher grade. Which grade will be used for my grade point average and will repeating the course count against my application?
You may certainly repeat a course; the last grade earned will be the grade of record. (“W’s” or withdrawals from the course do not count in grade point average calculation.)
Please note, however, that if you earn a grade of “D” or “F” in your second attempt in the course, THAT will be the grade of record and we will not honor the “C” you earned in your first attempt.
Repeating a course to earn a higher grade does not count against your application as long as you complete the course with a “C” or higher.

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Frequently Asked Questions (cont.)
How do I calculate my grade point average (GPA)?
A grade point average is calculated by dividing the number of total grade points earned in a group of courses by the total number of credit hours those courses are worth.
For example, a letter grade earns so many grade points per credit hour for that course:
A = 4 grade points X the number of credit hours for the course
B = 3 grade points X the number of credit hours for the course
C = 2 grade points X the number of credit hours for the course

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Frequently Asked Questions (cont.)
Here’s a sample of courses, grades earned, and the grade points for each:
ENGL – A A = 4 grade points X 3 credit hours for the course = 12 grade points
MATH 1314 – B B = 3 grade points X 3 credit hours for the course = 9 grade points
BIOL – C C = 2 grade points X 4 credit hours for the course = 8 grade points
Add the grade points: = 29 grade points
Add the number of credit hours: = 10 credit hours
And finally, divide the number of grade points by the number of credit hours to calculate the cumulative grade point average on these three courses:
29 ÷ 10 = 2.90 GPA

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Frequently Asked Questions (cont.)
Where do I park at El Centro and the Paramount Building?
Although El Centro College does not have reserved parking for students, staff, or visitors, parking is available at meters and various lots near the Paramount Building and the 801 Main Street location. The average cost of parking per day adjacent to the Paramount Building is $3 - $5. We are conveniently located near the West End DART Rail Station and the West Bus Transfer Center.
Students who are enrolled in at least six (6) credit hours in Fall or Spring semesters, or 3 credit hours in Summer are eligible for a FREE DART PASS for that semester! The pass is valid on DART trains and buses. See the guidelines on the El Centro College website at
DART schedules and route maps can be found at

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Frequently Asked Questions (cont.)
I don’t have a Social Security Number. Can I still apply to the Medical Laboratory Technology program?
A Social Security Number (SSN) is not required to apply to the Medical Lab program. However, many of our hospitals and clinical affiliates require students to have an SSN in order to perform their clinical assignments at that facility. Therefore, clinical opportunities may be limited for students without an SSN.
Although an SSN is not required to take the Board of Certification exam from ASCP, employment opportunities may not be available to graduates who do not possess an SSN.
Therefore, students who are accepted to the Medical Laboratory Technology program are strongly encouraged to contact the El Centro College International Center for information on obtaining an SSN well in advance of graduation from the program.

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Frequently Asked Questions (cont.)
Do I need healthcare insurance while I am in the Medical Lab program?
If you are currently covered by a personal health care insurance policy, we encourage you to include a photocopy of that documentation with your application materials. However, proof of coverage is not required to apply to the Medical Lab program.
If you are accepted to the Medical Lab program and did not include your insurance documentation with your application materials, you must submit proof of personal health insurance coverage prior to registration for your May term classes.
Please note that personal healthcare insurance is not the same as the fee for student liability insurance coverage which is paid in conjunction with your tuition.

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For additional assistance….
… and one-on-one advisement for El Centro College’s health occupations programs, you may wish to make an appointment with our academic advisor, Mr. Peschka. His address and telephone number are found in the back of the General Information section of the Medical Lab information packet.
You may be interested in health care and would like more information on the different health care career opportunities. We suggest that you visit the Health Careers Resource Center. Their counselors will provide you with information on the variety of health care programs at El Centro College and other colleges in our area.
The Health Careers Resource Center is located on the 7th floor of Building “R”.
Telephone: Website:

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Q & A Session
We trust that this online session has been informative and has answered most of your basic questions about our Medical Laboratory Technology program and application requirements.
However, if you still need additional clarification about what we have already covered in this presentation, we will hold general Q & A sessions at the Paramount Building which will be open only to individuals who have previously viewed our online information sessions.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The Q & A sessions are not intended to replace the
online information sessions.
For Q & A session dates and times, please us at and type Q&A (no spaces) in the subject line of your .

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THANK YOU
for viewing our online information session!
We hope that it has been an enlightening and pleasant experience for you.
You will now be asked to record your “attendance” by completing a brief questionnaire as verification.
Once you have completed the questionnaire, you may expect to receive the Medical Laboratory Technology Application and Students’ Statement of Responsibility Forms via in 1-2 business days.

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Please click on the link below to access, complete, and submit the questionnaire. You may then return to this slide and press the Escape key to exit the online information session.
“Imagine possibilities…..”
The Health Occupations Admissions Office
The Center for Allied Health and Nursing
El Centro College
Educational opportunities are offered by El Centro College without regard to race, color, age, National origin, religion, sex, disability, or sexual orientation. Copyright 2013 Health Occupations Admissions Office El Centro College