A.A.S. Histotechnology
Overview
The Associate of Applied Science degree in Histotechnology prepares students for careers as Histotechnicians. This program includes a combination of both basic prerequisite and technical courses. In the technical portion, students will learn to prepare tissue, blood, and fluid samples for histologists or pathologists to examine under a microscope, and look for signs of abnormality or disease. The program offers two formats: a face-to-face program for students meeting pre-requisite requirements, and an online option for students meeting pre-requisites and currently working in a histopathology laboratory. The courses comprising the technical portion will be taken in Fort Worth at the Richard C. Schaffer Educational Building for the face-to-face program and online for the online option. Clinical experiences are completed at affiliated clinical hospital sites.
Program Benefits
Our department faculty members are certified Histotechnologists with advanced degrees and/or specialty certifications and have various clinical experiences that offer a diverse academic presentation. Additionally, our staff is assisted by pathologists and medical laboratory scientists from several affiliated clinical laboratories.
More About the Program
- Career Opportunities
HT graduates are employed in numerous hospital and reference laboratory locations across the North Texas region, throughout Texas, and the nation. Graduates are frequently employed by their clinical practicum affiliate such as:
Baylor Medical Centers across the north Texas region Texas Health Resources hospitals HCA hospitals JPS Health Network Parkland County hospital facilities As well as numerous clinical and reference sites in Austin, and much more!
Learning Outcomes
Effective July 1st, 2020, we are required to notify you about licensing/certification requirements in other states. The TSU HT curricula prepare students to sit for the ASCP Board of Certification exam, for details on the ASCP BOC and licensure requirements in other states (Texas does not have licensure requirements), please see https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed/#state-licensure Upon successful completion of the professional program, graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam, Histotechnician, HT (ASCP). Students will receive their Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from Tarleton State University. Awarding of the certificate and degree from Tarleton is not contingent upon passing national certification exams. View the outcomes of our students from 2012 to 2019 for receiving certification and employment after graduation.
Career Outcomes
The Department actively collects information regarding potential jobs and makes this information available to all students. Services of the University Placement Offices are also available. Graduates of the program are employed throughout the North Central Texas area as well as the state and the nation. The need for Certified Histology Technicians is growing. HT graduates will find employment in a variety of fields including both research and industrial hospital settings.
Admissions Requirements
Acceptance to the HT program is on a competitive basis. Students must successfully complete prerequisites prior to entering the technical portion of the program. Students interested in completing the online option should be currently employed in a histopathology laboratory or have access to training in a histopathology laboratory through their employer. After successful program completion, students will be eligible to take the histotechnician exam, which is administered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Registry. Upon passing the exam, students will be ready to start their career as a certified Histotechnician. HT Program applicants must complete an application and supply three reference letters (one from the community college advisors and two from faculty). Applicants for the online option must submit a Clinical Site Information Sheet with their application materials. The Tarleton HT program has a minimum requirement of 23 semester hours applicable toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree that must be completed prior to admission. Students entering with an associates or baccalaureate degree must have 8 hours of biology including microbiology, 4 hours of chemistry, 3 hours of math (MATH 1314 or higher) and 3 hours of English. Three classes per year are accepted, one in Spring, one in Summer, and one in Fall. Students are admitted on a competitive basis through an evaluation based on academic performance from transcripts and letters of reference. Official transcripts from all colleges must be submitted. A $35 non-refundable application fee will be charged for all applications. Application deadlines are March 15 for Summer classes, June 15 for Fall classes and October 15 for Spring classes. All transcripts, applications and references must be received prior to deadline dates. All applicants must reapply if they wish to be considered for future entry dates