MLT Program Recommended for Maximum 10-Year NAACLS Accreditation

Minnesota West Community & Technical College is celebrating a major accomplishment: its Medical Laboratory Technician (MLT) program has been recommended for the maximum 10-year continuing accreditation award by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). While all NAACLS award decisions become official only after action by the Board of Directors, this recommendation reflects the program’s strong performance during its recent comprehensive review.

The Programs Accreditation Review Committee (PARC) commended Minnesota West’s MLT program for meeting the national standards that define excellence in clinical laboratory science education. NAACLS accreditation is widely recognized as the gold standard in the field, endorsed by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).

Accreditation through NAACLS involves an intensive peer-review evaluation designed to ensure that programs deliver high-quality, industry-relevant education. The process includes:

Programs that fully meet NAACLS standards may receive a maximum award of ten years, an achievement that underscores curriculum strength, faculty expertise, and student success outcomes.

Jackie Otkin, Dean of Allied Health, emphasized that the accreditation recommendation represents the college’s commitment to academic excellence and strong healthcare partnerships.

“This speaks to the high-quality education our students receive, the exceptional credentials of our faculty, and the vital relationships we have built with the professional healthcare communities in our service area,” Otkin said.

MLT Instructors Dr. Rita Miller and Jill Mortenson expressed pride in the program’s continued accreditation success and the graduates who go on to serve a critical role in regional medical laboratories.

About NAACLS

For more than five decades, NAACLS has been the premier accrediting body for educational programs in the clinical laboratory sciences. The agency’s mission centers on advancing educational quality, upholding rigorous professional standards, and serving the public through the accreditation of programs that prepare students for essential healthcare roles.

NAACLS accreditation signifies that a program meets or exceeds national benchmarks for laboratory science education, ensuring that graduates are well prepared for certification, employment, and advancement in the field.