A Study on the Unification of the Four-year Academic System for the Reform of the Medical Technologist Training System

Rapid advances in molecular diagnostics, precision medicine, and digital laboratory systems have substantially expanded the professional responsibilities of Medical Technologists in contemporary healthcare.Despite these changes, the Korean training system remains divided into three-year and four-year academic tracks, creating structural inconsistencies among education, licensure, and professional practice.This study examined the feasibility of unifying the dual-track system into a single four-year bachelor-level framework and proposed policy directions for reform.A policy-oriented mixed-method approach was used, including international comparisons of education and licensure systems, analysis of curricular discrepancies between domestic programs, stakeholder perception review, and examination of relevant legal frameworks.The findings suggest that most advanced countries adopt bachelor-level entry qualifications supported by competency-based curricula and national accreditation systems.In contrast, Korea's dual structure shows misalignment between educational duration and licensure eligibility, limited standardization of clinical training, and gaps in curricular depth relative to expanding professional roles.The study proposes phased legal amendments, the establishment of national accreditation standards, and the structural integration of education, licensure, and practice.Unification into a four-year academic system represents a strategic workforce reform essential for strengthening professional identity, ensuring patient safety, enhancing international comparability, and securing sustainable national diagnostic capacity.