- Programs Offered
- Medical Laboratory Science
- Cytogenetic Technology
- Cytotechnology
- Diagnostic Imaging
- Diagnostic Medical Sonography
- Healthcare Analytics and Advocacy
- Histotechnology
- Medical Dosimetry
- Molecular Genetic Technology
- Radiation Therapy
- M.S. in Diagnostic Genetics and Genomics
- M.S. in Medical Dosimetry
- M.S. in Radiologic Sciences
- Flexible Enrollment
- Certificate Programs
- Course Descriptions
- Recommended Course Sequences
M.S. in Diagnostic Cytology
The Graduate Program in Diagnostic Cytopathology prepares graduates to become next-generation diagnostic cytology practitioners - equipped with advanced expertise to support pathologists, close critical practice gaps, and meet rising workforce demands, all while accelerating early disease detection and driving improved patient outcomes.
This accelerated 15-month program offers two tracks:
- Entry-Level Track (full-time, face-to-face delivery): provides a direct path to the MS degree for individuals with BS degrees in biology, chemistry, or related health sciences. Graduates emerge as highly skilled professionals, prepared to pursue CT or SCT certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
- Advanced Track (part-time, hybrid/hyflex delivery): designed for BS-degreed, CT or SCT (ASCP) certified practicing cytologists, this track prepares experienced professionals for advanced practice and leadership roles. With focused training in non-gyn cytology, high-complexity ancillary diagnostics, digital pathology, and laboratory leadership, the curriculum builds the expertise needed to facilitate disease detection and guide therapeutic decision-making. The flexible hyflex / hybrid delivery model removes barriers and enables working practitioners to earn a master’s degree while continuing to advance their careers.
Advancing Medicine at the Microscopic Frontier
At the microscopic frontier, students master the art and science of cellular morphology and develop the advanced analytical skills required to interpret the diagnostic assays that define modern medicine. Through training in HPV genotyping, tumor marker studies, molecular genetic and FISH-based genetic analyses, and flow cytometry, learners integrate and correlate laboratory data with cellular features to deliver comprehensive, high-impact diagnostic evaluations.
The curriculum also provides hands-on experience with cutting-edge digital technologies, building the practical competencies essential for navigating the tools that are transforming patient care and advancing healthcare delivery.
Designed for individuals ready to lead, innovate, and make a meaningful impact in medicine, this program offers a pathway to elevate careers… and advance medicine at the microscopic frontier.
Master Precision. Practice with Purpose. Lead at the Microscopic Frontier.
Administration
Program Director
Catherine Bammert, Ph.D.
Associate Program Director
Katie Jervis, Dr.P.H.
Executive Advisor
Wendong Yu, M.D., Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Anatomical Pathology
Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
View the complete roster of SHP educators
Accreditation
The UT MD Anderson Diagnostic Cytology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon recommendation of the Cytology Programs Review Committee (CPRC).
Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
9355-113th Street N., #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
Phone 727-210-2350
Fax 727-210-2354
Upon graduation, students are eligible to take the Board of Certification (BOC) exam offered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
Clinical Affiliations
The program has developed affiliations with reference labs and medical institutions in Texas, so that students will develop expertise in a variety of settings and experience the breadth of opportunity available to a certified cytotechnologist. During the clinical phase of instruction, training and supervision are provided in affiliated clinical laboratories.
- Arbor Diagnostics, Dallas
- CHI Baylor St. Luke's Health Medical Center
- Clinical Pathology Laboratories
- GALA Laboratories
- Harris Health System, Ben Taub Hospital
- Harris Health System, Lyndon B. Johnson Hospital
- Houston Methodist Hospital
- LabCorp
- Ochsner Medical Clinic
- Quest Diagnostics
- The University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
Outcome Measures-Effectiveness Data
Credentialing Examination
Five-year average credentialing examination of the ASCP Board of Certification Exam pass rate of not less than 80% at first attempt within twelve months of graduation.
| Year | Pass Rate | Number of Students |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | TBD | TBD |
1-Year Average TBD (TBD)
Program Completion
Program completion rate is defined as the number of students who complete the clinical phase of the program within 150% of the stated program length. The program length for the clinical phase of the program is 16 months and program completion rate is defined as those students graduating within 16 months of beginning the clinical phase of the program.
| Year | Completion Rate | Number of Students |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | TBD | TBD |
1-Year Average TBD (TBD)
Job Placement
Five-year average job placement rate of not less than 75% within twelve months of graduation.
| Year | Placement Rate | Number of Students |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | TBD | TBD |
1-Year Average TBD (TBD)
Curriculum
The Curriculum: Designed for Impact, Delivered by Experts, Powered by Digital Pathology
Students engage directly with distinguished educators, clinicians, and researchers to develop interprofessional expertise within the dynamic laboratory medicine environment. They gain the core competencies of cytologists- microscopically evaluating cells from diverse specimen types and diagnosing infectious agents, benign conditions, pre-cancerous changes, and malignancies. Learners also develop the critical thinking skills necessary to correlate cellular findings with clinical history, symptoms, histologic features, and molecular test results, producing accurate, actionable diagnoses that enhance patient care and strengthen system-level outcomes.
The future-focused curriculum also integrates Pathology Competencies for Medical Education (PCME) and essential elements of Health Systems Science, preparing graduates for advanced, patient-facing roles and equipping them with the technical expertise and advocacy skills needed to lead in today’s complex healthcare environment.
Digital Pathology is embedded throughout the curriculum, leveraging whole slide images (WSI), dynamic case studies, and analytics-informed learning to sharpen diagnostic precision and prepare graduates to lead in technology-enabled practice settings.
Master of Science in Diagnostic Cytology
Candidates for the Entry Level Track must complete the following:
- 44 semester credit hours (SCH) of graduate coursework in the prescribed sequence.
- Complete and present a faculty-approved Capstone Project focused on an area of interest related to diagnostic cytology.
- All SCH required must have been earned at the UT MD Anderson School of Health Professions.
Candidates for the Advanced Track must successfully complete the following:
- 30 semester credit hours (SCH) of graduate coursework in the prescribed sequence.
- Complete and present a faculty-approved Capstone Project focused on an area of interest related to diagnostic cytology.
- All SCH required must have been earned at the UT MD Anderson School of Health Professions.
Entry Level Track (44 SCH) |
Advanced Track (30 SCH) |
|
| Year 1 (33 SCH) | Year 1 (23 SCH) | |
| Fall Semester (12 SCH) | Fall Semester (8 SCH) | |
| DC 6400 Gynecologic Cytopathology (4) DC 6210 Cytopreparation & Ancillary Techniques (2) DC 6215 Non-gynecologic Cytopathology I (2) DC 6410 Frontiers in Molecular Cytopathology I (4) |
DC 6225 Advanced Cytopreparation & Ancillary Techniques (2) DC 6230 Advanced Non-gynecologic Cytopathology I (2) DC 6410 Frontiers in Molecular Cytopathology I (4) |
|
| Spring Semester (13 SCH) | Spring Semester (7 SCH) | |
| DC 6200 Gynecologic Laboratory (2) DC 6220 Non-gynecologic Cytopathology II (2) DC 6500 Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (5) DC 6420 Digital Pathology I (4) |
DC 6235 Advanced Non-gynecologic Cytopathology II (2) DC 6510 Advanced Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (5) |
|
| Summer Semester (8 SCH) | Summer Semester (8 SCH) | |
| DC 6435 Clinical Rotation I (4) DC 6440 Clinical Rotation II (4) |
DC 6450 Laboratory Operations & Introduction to Health Systems Science (4) DC 6420 Digital Pathology I (4) |
|
| Year 2 (11 SCH) | Year 2 (7 SCH) | |
| Fall Semester (11 SCH) | Fall Semester (7 SCH) | |
| DC 6445 Clinical Rotation II (4) DC 6300 Capstone (3) DC 6450 Laboratory Operations & Introduction to Health Systems Science (4) |
DC 6300 Capstone (3) * Elective (4) |
|
| * Choose one of the following | ||
| DC 5415 Frontiers in Molecular Cytopathology II (4) DC 6455 Clinical Laboratory Leadership & Practice Management I (4) DC 6425 Digital Pathology II (4) DC 6445 Clinical Rotation II (4) requires instructor approval |
Contact us
Dr. Catherine Bammert
713-792-2889
CEBammert@mdanderson.edu
School of Health Professions
713-745-1205
askSHP@mdanderson.edu
Our Labs
Learn more about our faculty and research taking place in our labs.
Conferences
View conferences available for continuing education credit.