Histologic Technology (2262)
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.
Histology Technology is the study of tissue structure and preparation of specimens for the microscopic diagnosis of disease. Anyone who watches medical programs on TV has seen histologic technologists at work. They are the ones who slice the embedded tissue samples razor thin, place them on glass slides, dot on a variety of colors and process them for the pathologist.
This detailed area of medicine is critical in pathology and forensic medicine, and vital to clinical, pharmaceutical and industrial research. Your training at FCCJ will include general academics and in-depth professional coursework in tissue and cellular structure. You will learn to prepare, processing, embed, section and stain tissue from every area and organ of the body.
For additional information about a rewarding career as a histologic technician or technologist, write or visit online:
National Society for Histotechnology
4201 Northview Dr Suite 502
Bowie, Maryland 20716
Florida Community College’s Histologic Technology was a pioneering program and we remain one of only two schools in Florida to offer this degree. Our prominence is largely due to partnerships with Baptist, Brooks Rehabilitation, Flagler, Shands, St. Luke’s and St. Vincent hospitals, as well as Mayo Clinic and others, who chose FCCJ to establish the most advanced medical training center in Northeast Florida. Master classes are taught on our campus by the area’s leading physicians, scientists and allied health professionals.
We have students that come from as far away as New York, and many professionals return here to maintain their certification status. Nationwide, long-distance learners complete academic courses on-line with two on-campus laboratory classes (16 hours each) per semester.
Two of the three semesters involve clinical rotations in area research labs and private clinics.
Rapidly advancing technology and new, sophisticated tools have made this science more accessible. By 2010, the U.S. will need an additional 106,000 histologic technologists to fill the growing demand. Our graduates are usually offered immediate employment by the hospital or medical center where they train. However, your skills can also be applied to research in human disease, forensics, veterinary pathology or marine biology.
The typical starting salary in this field is $28,000-$36,000.
This limited access program, accredited by the The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) at 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, Illinois 60631–3415, 773.714.8880 enables the graduate to sit for the ASCP Histologic Technician examination. Students who pass the HT (ASCP) exam will be eligible for Florida licensure in histotechnology through the Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel, Department of Health.
This A.S. degree program articulates into a bachelor’s degree program with the University of North Florida, Franklin University and Nova Southeastern University. See more information on articulation.
- Complete 12 credits of college credit coursework applicable to the A.S. histologic technology degree, to include ENC 1101 or MAC 1105, and either BSC 2010C or BSC 2085C.
- Submit completed application to the HT program.
- Complete required interview process with the HT education coordinator and program director.
A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.
Prior to contact with patients or patient specimens, students must furnish proof of childhood immunizations and Hepatitis B immunization. Contact program director for additional information.
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.
Estimated tuition for Florida residents is $5,046 (as of 07/06). Contact the program manager for additional costs (fees, textbooks, materials).
Histologic Technology (2262)
Curriculum
| General Education Courses |
| ENC 1101 |
English Composition I |
3 |
| BSC 2010C |
Principles of Biology I |
4 |
| MAC 1105 |
College Algebra |
3 |
| |
*Social and Behavioral Sciences |
3 |
| |
*Humanities |
3 |
| |
Credit Hours |
16 |
| Required Professional Courses |
| HSC 1531 |
Medical Terminology (for Health Professionals) |
3 |
| BSC 2085C |
Human Anatomy and Physiology I |
4 |
| CHM 1025C |
Introduction to General Chemistry |
4 |
| 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 2193 C |
Histopathology |
3 |
| |
Credit Hours |
60 |
Total Program Credits: 76
*Refer to A.S. degree General Education Requirements.
You have two options in this program: the associate in science (A.S.) degree, which can prepare you for employment or transfer to a state university, and the associate in applied science (A.A.S.) degree, which is intended primarily for students who want immediate employment after graduation. 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.
Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences. The cost of the background check and drug screen is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline. Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition.
The Florida State Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel, in accordance with Florida Statutes, Chapter 483 will determine a HT program graduate’s eligibility for licensure when there is an arrest/conviction record. Convicted felons who have not had their civil rights restored are not eligible for licensure in the profession of histologic technology in the state of Florida. Students should contact the HT Department for information regarding Florida Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel regulations.
