Histotechnology
in the School of Health Professions
Histotechnology
The Histotechnology program prepares students for a challenging and exciting career as a histologic technologist.
The program offers three tracks leading to the Bachelor of Science degree:
- Two-Year Track prerequisites (pdf)
- One-Year Track prerequisites (pdf)
- One-Year Professional Track prerequisites (pdf)
This baccalaureate program consists of lectures, demonstrations, and rotations through various hospital histopathology laboratories that provide experience in routine and specialized procedures. The program maintains an extensive collection of microscope and projection slides for use with lectures and independent studies.
An Overview of Histotechnology
Instructor reviewing tissue on slides
Students embedding tissue specimen
Instructor assisting students with microtomy
Student filing slides for later review
Student performing crytomy on tissue
Instructor grossing tissue
Student performing the staining process
Administration
Program Director
Mark A. Bailey, M.A.
Associate Program Director
Toysha Mayer, D.H.Sc.
Executive Advisor
Victor Prieto, M.D., Ph.D.
Chair, Department of Pathology
Professor, Department of Pathology
Fellowship Program Director
Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
View the complete roster of SHP educators
Accreditation
The Histotechnology program is accredited by and has conformed its curriculum to the standards published and monitored by the:
National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS
5600 N. River Rd., Ste. 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone 773-714-8880
Fax 773-714-8886
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 histotechnologist. During the clinical phase of instruction, training and supervision are provided in affiliated hospitals and clinical laboratories.
A Career in Histotechnology
As a specialty in the field of medical laboratory sciences, histotechnology involves the application of theoretical knowledge and practical techniques to the preparation of tissue samples for microscopic examination by pathologists.
This rapidly growing specialty offers a variety of opportunities including advanced training and application in electron microscopy, histochemistry and flow cytometry. While most histologic technologists work in hospital or private histotechnology laboratories, some opt to join:
- Research laboratories
- Veterinary medicine laboratories
- Medical schools
- Industry
- Government agencies
Histologic technologists with administrative and teaching skills serve in management, supervision and education. Those interested in computer technology can apply their laboratory knowledge in the development and management of laboratory information systems.
According to the salary survey conducted by the Department of Academic Affairs at MD Anderson Cancer Center, the salary range for a clinical histologic technologist is $43,000 to $62,000.
Outcome Measures-Effectiveness Data
| Year | Graduation Rate | Placement Rate^ | Pass Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2011 | 100% | 88% | 88% |
| 2012 | 100% | 80% | 90% |
| 2013 | 100% | 100% | 73% |
| 2014 | 100% | 100% | 90% |
| 2015 | 100% | 93% | 92% |
| 2016 | 100% | 87% | 100% |
| 2017 | 100% | 87% | 93% |
| 2018 | 94% | 87% | 80% |
| 2019 | 100% | 88% | 88% |
^ Indicates employed or pursued additional education.
* The NAACLS certification exam benchmark standard for accredited programs is three years of consecutive results demonstrating an average of at least a 75% pass rate on the ASCP-BOC examinations, for students within the first year of graduation as calculated from the most recent three-year period. ().
Mark Bailey
713-794-5877
MABailey@mdanderson.org
School of Health Professions
713-745-1205
askSHP@mdanderson.org