Degree and Certificate Programs

Health Care

Histologic Technology (2262)

Associate in Science or Associate in Applied Science

Mission Statement: Creating competent, ethical, confident entry-level health-care practitioners committed to professional development through life-long learning in a positive, non-discriminatory and supportive learning environment.

The Career: Histologic technology professionals develop skills that reach into a variety of fields. Most commonly, these highly skilled individuals will be used in hospitals or private pathology laboratories, playing an integral role in preparing tissue specimens for the microscopic diagnosis of disease. Additionally, histology, the science of demonstrating a multitude of cellular characteristics, will be found utilized in medical, pharmaceutical and industrial research settings. The field of histologic technology is rapidly advancing, as more and more sophisticated diagnostic tools are being developed.

For additional information about a rewarding career as a histologic technician or technologist, write:

National Society for Histotechnology
5900 Princess Garden Parkway, Suite 805
Lanham, Maryland 20706

The Program: This limited access program, accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) at 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, Illinois 60631-3415, enables the graduate to sit for the State of Florida, Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel licensure examination and the ASCP Histologic Technician examination. Students are evaluated for acceptance into the program based on academic criteria (completion of prerequisite courses) and interview. Selected histologic technology courses are formatted for Web-based delivery; therefore, computer skills with Internet access is a program requirement. Students may find it difficult to work during the practicum phase of the education (last two semesters) due to the number of required contact hours per week. Students will be expected to perform in a professional manner during the campus and practicum phases and must have excellent coordination skills. Students must earn a grade of "C" or better in the histologic technology courses and complete all campus-based courses with a grade point average of 2.0 or better before entering the practicum phase of their education. Placement in the clinical practicum is on a space available basis; a GPA ranked waiting list will determine placement should space become limited for reasons beyond the control of the program.

Application Procedure:

1. Complete 12 credits of college credit coursework applicable to the A.S. or A.A.S. histologic technology degree, to include ENC 1101, MAC 1105 or MAT 1033, and either BSC 2010C or BSC 2085C.
2. Complete required interview process with the HT education coordinator and program director.

Note: A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.

Students have two degree alternatives in this program: The associate in science (A.S.) and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.). If you intend to pursue further education at the university level, you should enroll in the A.S. option. If you intend to go directly to work after completing your associate's degree, consider the A.A.S. While the A.A.S. will not provide you with the articulation benefits of the A.S., the A.A.S. will provide you with the skills required to begin working in the field immediately upon graduation. If you are unsure of which option is best for you, please see an advisor for further counseling.

Required Courses:

The following is a list of courses required for this program presented in a recommended sequence of completion. The sequence is only a suggested guide, and there is no requirement to follow the sequence precisely. Students in this program may register for any course as long as the student has met any prerequisites for that course.

Course Number and Title	Credits
ENC 1101 English Composition I	3
HSC 1531 Medical Terminology	3
BSC 2010C Principles of Biology I	4
MAC 1105 College Algebra	3
BSC 2085C Human Anatomy and Physiology I	4
CHM 1025C Introduction to General Chemistry	4
*Social and Behavioral Sciences Area A	3
*Humanities	3
BSC 2086C Human Anatomy and Physiology II	4
MCB 2010C Microbiology	4
CHM 2045C General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis I	4
MLT 2190C Histology	4
MLT 2191 Histotechniques I	4
MLT 2191L Histotechniques I Lab	1
CHM 2046C General Chemistry and Qualitative Analysis II	4
MLT 2192 Histotechniques II	4
MLT 2192L Histotechniques II Lab	1
MLT 2840L Histotechnology Practicum I	5
MLT 2194 Histotechniques III	3
MLT 2194L Histotechniques III Lab	1
MLT 2841L Histotechnology Practicum II	7
MLT 2193C Histopathology	3
Total Credit Hours	76

*Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements.

Note: Prior to contact with patients or patient specimens, students must furnish proof of childhood immunizations and Hepatitis B immunization. Contact program chairperson for additional information.
Students earning an A.S. degree must take MAC 1105, MGF 1106 or a higher level mathematics course. Students earning an A.A.S. degree must take MAT 1033 or a higher level mathematics course and any combination of biology or chemistry courses that have prior approval by the Dean and total 8 credit hours or more for CHM 2045C and CHM 2046C. Suggested combinations would be as follows: BSC 2011C and CHM 2210C or CHM 2210C and CHM 2211C.