Molecular Genetic Technology
in the School of Health Professions
Molecular Genetic Technology
Visit the program on the campus of MD Anderson during one of the program information sessions.
Molecular genetic technologists study the role of genetics in medicine, Mendelian genetics, multifactorial inheritance, DNA structure, chromosome structure, population genetics, mutation rates, ethnicity of disease and genetic mapping in a diagnostic setting.
The program offers two tracks leading to the Bachelor of Science degree.
The Program in Molecular Genetic Technology is a three-semester, highly intensive course of study that integrates classroom lectures, laboratory demonstrations and technical experience to prepare each student for national certification as a molecular genetic technologist.
The application deadline for each year is April 1; however, late applicants may be considered if the class is not filled. The program accepts up to 32 students per class. The program’s academic year is usually the last week in August or the first week in September through the second or third Friday in August of the following year.
The student to faculty ratio for student lab activities is roughly 8:1. With respect to the ratio of clinical laboratory student to faculty, the ratio is 1:1 in clinical and basic research laboratories not only within the institution but also within the Houston Medical Center, in Galveston, and across the United States.
An Overview of Molecular Genetic Technology
Students receive both theoretical and applied knowledge throughout the program
The program covers all 4 areas of diagnostic molecular science (Oncology, Pre/Post natal, Infectious Disease, and Identity Testing)
Students are competency-tested throughout the program
Students receive 12 weeks of clinical preceptorships at one of our many clinical affiliation sites
Students will learn to work independently and in group settings
Instructor to student ratio is ~1:8
Offering the latest hands-on diagnostic molecular science training
Administration
Program Director
Peter Hu, Ph.D.
Associate Program Director
Irene Newsham, Ph.D.
Executive Advisor
Rajyalakshmi Luthra, Ph.D.
Professor, Department of Hematopathology
Professor, Department of Translational Molecular Pathology
Division of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine
MD Anderson Cancer Center
View the complete roster of SHP educators
Accreditation
The Molecular Genetic Technology 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 across the United
Houston
- The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center
- Diagnostic Molecular Science Laboratory
- DNA Analysis Core Facility
- HLA Laboratory
- Access DX Laboratory
- Alliance Diagnostics
- (Harris Health System)
- BMGL Chromosomal Microarray Laboratory
- BMGL DNA Diagnostic Laboratory
- BMGL Mitochondrial Diagnostic Laboratory
- John Welsh Cardiovascular Diagnostic Laboratory
- (Harris Health System), Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory
- , FTDNA/DNATraits - Sequencing, NGS and Microarray Laboratory
- , Clinical Laboratory Medicine
- (molecular forensics)
- , Molecular Pathology Laboratory
Texas
- , Austin (molecular diagnostic lab)
- , San Antonio (molecular forensic and diagnostic lab)
- med fusio, Dallas
- , Dallas
- at Galveston (molecular diagnostic lab)
- (molecular pathology lab)
United States
- , Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY
- , IL
- , Rye Brook, NY
- , Honolulu, HI
- Duke University School of Medicine , Durham, NC
- (Geisinger Health), Danville, PA
- Greenwood Genetic Center, , Greenwood, SC
- The Ohio State University Medical Center Department of Pathology, , Columbus, OH
- , Atlanta, GA
- Penn State Hershey , Hershey, PA
- , Molecular Oncology Laboratory, Chantilly, VA
- The University of Chicago, Division of Biological Sciences, , Chicago, IL
- , Oklahoma City, OK
- , New Haven, CT
A Career in Molecular Genetic Technology
The specialty of molecular genetics embraces:
- Chromosome structure
- DNA structure
- Ethnicity of disease
- Genetic mapping
- Mendelian genetics
- Multifactorial inheritance
- Mutation rates
- Population genetics
- The role of genetics in medicine
Molecular genetic technologists also learn the latest, newest methodologies and topics in genetics, such as:
- Bioinformatics
- Cloning
- DNA microarrays
- DNA sequencing
- Forensic medicine
- Gene therapy
- Human Genome Project
- NGS
- Transgenic animals
According to the salary survey conducted by Academic Affairs at MD Anderson, the average starting salary for a staff molecular genetic technologist with certification is $47,600. In other locations around Houston, molecular technicians can earn a salary of $45-50,000.
Outcome Measures-Effectiveness Data
| Year | Graduation Rate | Placement Rate^ | Pass Rate* |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2005 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2006 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2007 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2008 | 100% | 100% | 94% |
| 2009 | 100% | 100% | 92% |
| 2010 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2011 | 96% | 100% | 93% |
| 2012 | 100% | 93% | 96% |
| 2013 | 100% | 93% | 100% |
| 2014 | 100% | 100% | 94% |
| 2015 | 100% | 100% | 100% |
| 2016 | 100% | 95% |
94% |
| 2017 | 100% | 95% | 100% |
| 2018 | 100% | 96% | 83% |
| 2019 | 100% | 96% | 96% |
| 2020 | 100% | 97% | 90% |
^ 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. ().
Peter Hu, Ph.D.
713-563-3225
pchu@mdanderson.edu
School of Health Professions
713-745-1205
askSHP@mdanderson.edu