Associate of Applied Technology Degree / Associate in Applied Science – T Degree
Trains students to prepare thin sections of human tissue for microscopic examination.
Prepares students for entry-level employment as medical histology technicians in clinical, veterinary, and research laboratories. This program also serves as a pathway for career advancement in specialized areas in the medical histotechnology profession.
The Medical Histology Technician program stresses practical application and the development of job skills, as well as medical histotechnology theory.
Designed to enhance students’ abilities to reason, understand, and apply correct principles of medical histotechnology by teaching analytical and critical thinking skills, the Medical Histology Technician program prepares students to sit for the National Board Certification Exam.
New entrants into the field, as well as incumbent workers who have not had the advantage of receiving a strong theoretical foundation, will find this course of study beneficial. Students will be involved in classroom/ lab work for the first three quarters of the program, with the remaining time spent in a clinical rotation.
Students are required to carry personal health/medical insurance throughout their clinical rotations. Quarterly insurance for students may be purchased; further information is available through the Advising and Counseling Office. No student will be allowed at a clinical site without proof of insurance.
Able to provide own transportation/commuter expenses in excess of 30 miles from CPTC
Student Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of the Medical Histology degree, students will:
- Be prepared and qualified to sit for the National Certification exam.
- Understand and comply with national requirements of continuing education to maintain certification.
- Perform, manipulate, and troubleshoot a variety of histology skills safely and efficiently.
- Demonstrate effective communication, both verbally and in writing, with coworkers, supervisors, clients, and physicians.
- Demonstrate and maintain a medical professional code of conduct.
- Comply with employer quality and performance standards.
- Be able to develop, utilize, maintain, and interpret documentation of a scientific nature related to histology.
- Endeavor to increase professional standards and quality.
General Degree Requirements
AAT Degree General Education Requirements (23 credits)
ENGL& 101
| | 5 |
CMST& 220
| | 5 |
| | |
| MAT 108 | Math for Health Occupations | 5 |
| Or | |
| Any 100-Level Math Class | 5 |
| | |
PSYC& 100DIV
| | 5 |
| COLL 102 | College Success for All | 3 |
Note:
CMST& 220 or higher
PSYC& 100DIV or other social science or humanities class
MAT 108: Preferred
AAS-T Degree General Education Requirements (23 credits)
All AAS-T degrees must have a minimum of 20 credits of transferable general education. These credits replace the academic courses required for the AAT degree. Required credits include:
10 credits in communication:
5 credits in quantitative reasoning:
MATH& 107
| | 5 |
MATH& 141
| | 5 |
MATH& 142
| | 5 |
MATH& 146
| | 5 |
MATH& 151
| | 5 |
5 credits in social science, humanities, or science:
BIOL& 175
| Human Biology w/Lab | 5 |
CHEM& 110
| | 5 |
PSYC& 100
| | 5 |
SOC& 101
| | 5 |
3 credits in College Success:
Students pursuing an AAT or AAS-T degree must complete all college degree requirements prior to graduation. This includes courses that meet the requirements for diversity, computer literacy, and the capstone project.
Granting of degree is not contingent upon the students passing any type of external certification or licensure examination.
Program Accreditation
This program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences:
5600 N. River Road
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
773-714-8880
Employability Requirements
Graduates are required to pass a national certification exam prior to employment. Students must pass a background check prior to being allowed to perform clinical rotations. Students are required to maintain immunizations and acquire an American Health Association CPR Health Care Provider card.
Physical Activity Requirement
Ability to sit and stand for long periods of time. Lift and move up to 50 lbs. Repetitive movements of shoulder, elbow, wrist, and fingers.
Program Length
This program is approximately four quarters long, depending on the time students need to satisfactorily complete all graduation requirements.
Admission Dates
Fall quarter.
Completion Requirements
Prerequisite(s)
Before starting the program, students must have a high school diploma or high school equivalency diploma.
In order to participate in the clinical aspect of the program, students must receive a “No Record On File” Report related to crimes against persons on a criminal background check. They must obtain CPR certification and have current immunizations or laboratory verification of immune status, which includes, but is not limited to, Hepatitis B series, Tetanus/Diphtheria, Tuberculosis Test, Measles/Mumps/Rubella, and Varicella, as required by contracts with clinical facilities and CDC recommendations. Proof of immunizations is required by the last day of class in fall quarter, without exception. Students are required to carry personal health/medical insurance throughout their clinical rotations. Quarterly insurance for students may be purchased; further information is available through the Advising and Counseling Office. No student will be allowed at a clinical site without proof of insurance.
BIOL&/CHEM& must be completed within the last five years.
For students starting Medical Histology first-quarter program classes in Fall 2018, the following prerequisites must be completed prior to registration, with a grade of “C” (2.0) or higher: ENGL& 101, CHEM& 110, and BIOL& 175
For students starting Medical Histology first-quarter program classes in Fall 2019, the following prerequisites must be completed with a grade of “B” (3.0) or higher: CMST& 220, PSYC& 100 OR SOC& 101, MAT 108 or MATH& 146 (see your adviser), CAH 105, COLL 102, ENGL& 101, CHEM& 110, and BIOL& 175
Degree Requirements
AAT Requirements
| Technical Course Requirements | 100 |
| | |
| Math for Health Care Professionals | 5 |
| Or | |
| Any 100-Level Math Class | 5 |
| | |
| General Psychology | 5 |
| COLL 102 | College Success for All | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 113 |
Note: General Psychology or other social science or humanities class
AAS-T Requirements
| Technical Course Requirements | 100 |
| Quantitative Reasoning | 5 |
| Social Science, Humanities, or Science | 5 |
| COLL 102 | College Success for All | 3 |
| Total Credit Hours: | 113 |