Histologic Technician, Associate of Applied Science
The Histologic Technician A.A.S. Degree Program provides students with academic and practical training for job-entry skills in anatomic pathology.
Upon successful completion of the program, students receive an Associate of Applied Science Degree in Histologic Technician. The program is accredited by the
National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N. River Road
Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018
phone 773-714-8880, fax 773-714-8886 www.naacls.org.
Administrative Withdrawals
Students may be withdrawn from the program and/or from a clinical affiliate for lack of competence, if determined to post a threat to the health or safety of others; for failure to comply with the ASU Code of Conduct, or failure to comply with the policies of a clinical affiliate.
Drug Screen and Criminal Background Checks
Students may be subject to drug screens and criminal background checks as a requirement for participating in program activities. Students are also subject to drug screens requested at random or for probable cause.
Students may be prevented from participating in program activities until results are provided and they are approved for return to program activities.
Program Cost Requirements
Students in the AAS Histologic Technician Program are responsible for the following approximate expenses in addition to books, tuition and fees:
| Item | Cost |
|---|---|
| Background Check | $50.00 |
| Test Fee | $215.00 |
| Liability Insurance | $18.00 |
| Uniforms/lab coats | $150.00 |
| Laboratory Supplies | $50.00 |
| Special immunizations (HBV) | $200.00 |
| Drug Screen | $100.00 |
| Acemapp fees | $50.00 |
| $833.00* | |
| *Estimate Only. This could be higher or lower depending on the items purchased. |
Clinical Assignments
The ASU program director or designated staff will arrange clinical assignments with the program's approved affiliates for on-campus students only. Students must be prepared to travel to the clinical training facility.
Continuation in the Program
Students must make a grade of “C” or better in all Histologic Technician Program (MLTS) courses. A student can repeat a single course in which the grade is less than a “C.”
A student repeating a course in which an unsatisfactory grade was received will experience a delay in clinical placement granted the course is satisfactorily completed on the second attempt.
A student withdrawing from the program or a program course may be considered for admission in subsequent class(es) at the time of the next class selection.
Students absent from the program for a period exceeding one semester will be required to demonstrate prior course competency by exam or repeat for credit.
Students that fail more than one professional (MLTS) course, which includes the repeat of a course, will be dismissed from the Program and will not be allowed to return.
Histologic Technician Admission
Option I:
- Admission to Albany State University
- Prior college degree.
- Coursework in Biology would preferably be Anatomy & Physiology. Acceptance of coursework will be at the discretion of the Program Director.
- Program application required.1
Option II:
This option is an alternative way to gain admission into the program.
- Admission to Albany State University
- Completion of all learning support courses.
- Completion of college Algebra, Chemistry and Biology with a “C” or higher.
- Completion of at least 35 hours of the general education requirements prior to admission.
- Applicants must have a minimum overall college GPA of 2.5.
- Program application required.1
- 1
Applications are available through the Program Director or in the Health Sciences office at Albany State University ASU West Campus. Applications are also available from the program homepage at: https://www.asurams.edu/academic-affairs/dchealthprof/docs/HT-Application.pdf
Application Deadline
| Semester | Application Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall | Early acceptance May 15 |
| Deadline June 30th | |
| Spring | Early acceptance September 30 |
| Deadline November 30th |
Selection
The Program Director will review the completed folders once applicants meet the general admission criteria for the program. Students for the program are selected from the applicants according to the following criteria:
-
GPA (cumulative or last 35-hrs)
-
Observation hours observed in a Histology Laboratory setting
-
Appropriate professional recommendations received (2)
-
Clinical Affiliation (online only)
-
Completed HT application
Applicants with the highest point accumulation are selected until the class positions are filled. Class size is 20 for the fall semester and 10 for the spring semester.
Additional Requirements
- Students are required to submit a copy of a recent physical exam prior to program acceptance.
- Students are required to meet the health requirements of the clinical affiliate to which they are assigned.
- Students must have documented immunization to Hepatitis B.
- Liability insurance is required upon enrollment in the program.
- To satisfactorily complete the curriculum and to develop required skills the students must have:
- Visual acuity (with or without corrective lenses)
- to observe and perform technical procedures;
- to identify and differentiate specimens, reagents and equipment;
- be able to see color
- to read laboratory manuals, procedures, policies, specimen labels and materials pertinent to professional practice:
- Physical ability to manipulate laboratory instruments and equipment in a manner consistent with operational procedures;
- Manual dexterity to operate laboratory equipment and use tools in a manner consistent with operational guidelines.
- Visual acuity (with or without corrective lenses)
Freshman Year
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| First Semester (13 hours) | ||
| ENGL 1101 | English Composition I | 3 |
| BIOL 2411K | Human Anatomy and Physiology I | 4 |
| Humanities requirement (see footnote). 2 | 3 | |
| MATH 1111 | College Algebra | 3 |
| Second Semester (14 hours) | ||
| BIOL 2412K | Human Anatomy and Physiology II | 4 |
| ENGL 1102 | English Composition II | 3 |
| COMM 1100 | Human Communications | 3 |
| or COMM 1110 | Public Speaking | |
| CHEM 1211K | Principles of Chemistry I | 4 |
| Third Semester (4-8 hours) | 4-8 | |
| Principles of Chemistry II 3 | ||
| Introduction to Microbiology | ||
| Total Semester Hours | 31-35 | |
Sophomore Year for Fall Program Start
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours from Freshman Year | 35 | |
| Fall Semester (11 hours) | ||
| MLTS 1300 | Introduction to Histology | 3 |
| MLTS 1310W | Histology I | 3 |
| MLTS 1310L | Histology I Lab | 1 |
| MLTS 1320W | Histology II | 2 |
| MLTS 1320L | Histology II Lab | 1 |
| MLTS 1330 | Histology III | 1 |
| Spring Semester (14 hours) | ||
| MLTS 1340 | Clinical Histology Externship | 5 |
| MLTS 1350 | Histology V | 2 |
| MLTS 1360 | Histology VI | 1 |
| POLS 1101 | American Government | 3 |
| BUSA 2101 | Survey of Computer Applications | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 60 | |
Sophomore Year for Spring Program Start
| Code | Title | Semester Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Credit Hours from Freshman Year | 31 | |
| Spring Semester (11 hours) | ||
| MLTS 1300 | Introduction to Histology | 3 |
| MLTS 1310W | Histology I | 3 |
| MLTS 1310L | Histology I Lab | 1 |
| MLTS 1320W | Histology II | 2 |
| MLTS 1320L | Histology II Lab | 1 |
| MLTS 1330 | Histology III | 1 |
| Summer Semester (6 hours) | ||
| MLTS 1350 | Histology V | 2 |
| MLTS 1360 | Histology VI | 1 |
| BUSA 2101 | Survey of Computer Applications | 3 |
| Fall Semester (12 hours) | ||
| MLTS 1340 | Clinical Histology Externship | 5 |
| CHEM 1212K | Principles of Chemistry II | 4 |
| POLS 1101 | American Government | 3 |
| Total Semester Hours | 60 | |
- 1
Courses are to be completed at an approved clinical affiliate for online students.
- 2
Humanities requirement may be met by taking any literature or appreciation course in the Humanities Area of the Core IMPACTS.
- 3
Students who start in the spring semester will take this course in their sophomore year.
NOTE: Students must score a C or higher in all Histologic Technician program courses (MLTS) in order to successfully complete each course. Satisfactory completion of the Albany State University NAACLS Accredited Histologic Technician Program provides the necessary qualifications for National Certification Examinations.
Depending on your enrollment status, you may be required to take ASU 1101, “First Year Experience.”
MLTS 1160L - Medical Laboratory Technology I Lab (Hematology) (1 Credit)
The laboratory component of the course is utilized to develop skills and competencies required to perform laboratory analysis of blood and body fluids. Offered: Fall, online and traditional options.
Corequisites: MLTS 1160W
Lab hours: 3
MLTS 1160W - Medical Laboratory Technology I (Hematology) (3 Credits)
An in-depth study of the sciences of hematology and body fluids analysis. It deals with the morphology of blood and blood-forming tissues, the principles of blood sample collections, and the composition and function of multiple body fluids. Physiology and pathology are emphasized. Offered: Fall, online only.
Corequisites: MLTS 1160L
Restrictions:
Students with a semester level of Freshman may not enroll.
Lecture hours: 3
MLTS 1161L - Medical Laboratory Technology II Lab (Blood Bank) (1 Credit)
The laboratory component of the course is utilized to develop skills and competencies required to perform blood banking procedures and to maintain procedures for the efficient operation of a blood bank. Offered: Spring, online only.
Lab hours: 3
MLTS 1161W - Medical Laboratory Technology II (Blood Bank) (3 Credits)
This course provides an introduction to the principles of immunology and provides the student with a concise and thorough guide to transfusion practices and immunohematology. Offered: Spring or Fall if approved by program director, online only.
Lecture hours: 3
MLTS 1182 - Parasitology, Mycology, and Virology (3 Credits)
A course in clinical parasitology, mycology, and virology covers human fungal, parasitic and viral infections. The course presents mechanisms of infection, life cycles, and infectious states of the organisms as well as disease progression within the host and the practical application of laboratory procedures for detection and identification. Also included is safety, specimen collection, preservation, transport, methods of identification and therapy. Offered: Summer, online only.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2211K
Lecture hours: 3
MLTS 1300 - Introduction to Histology (3 Credits)
This course emphasizes the introductory study of basic histology. Structure and identification of tissue systems and organs is emphasized at the cellular level. The laboratory component is structured to enhance the student's knowledge of certain histological preparations of human and veterinary tissue. Identification of images is achieved through virtual microscopy. Offered: Fall, Spring.
Lecture hours: 2
Lab hours: 3
MLTS 1310L - Histology I Lab (1 Credit)
The course is a laboratory component complementary to MLTS 1310W. It is utilized to develop entry level skills required to perform non-staining histological procedures. Offered: Fall, Spring.
Corequisites: MLTS 1310W
Lab hours: 3
MLTS 1310W - Histology I (3 Credits)
This course emphasizes some of the competencies required to perform routine histological procedures. These would include tissue fixation, principles and application of microtomy, embedding techniques, laboratory operations, decalcification, solution preparation, and processing. Offered: Fall, Spring.
Corequisites: MLTS 1310L
Lecture hours: 3
MLTS 1320L - Histology II Lab (1 Credit)
The laboratory component of the course is utilized to develop skills required to perform routine and special stains. Students will identify and provide clinical correlation of routine and special stains. Offered: Fall, Spring.
Corequisites: MLTS 1320W
Lab hours: 3
MLTS 1320W - Histology II (2 Credits)
This course emphasizes the fundamentals and clinical significance of routine and special histological staining procedures. The student will differentiate between different classes of special stains performed in a histology laboratory. Offered: Fall and Spring.
Corequisites: MLTS 1320L
Lecture hours: 2
MLTS 1330 - Histology III (1 Credit)
Students practice histotechnology procedures in a supervised histology lab setting. The laboratory component of the course is utilized to develop skills and competencies required to perform routine and special histology procedures. Offered: Fall, Spring.
Lab hours: 3
MLTS 1340 - Clinical Histology Externship (5 Credits)
This course is the practicum designed to enhance and refine techniques taught in the first semester. Students are required to complete at least 300 clinical hours in an approved affiliate histology laboratory. Orientation to department and institutional policies and procedures is required. Offered: Spring, Fall.
Prerequisites: MLTS 1310L and MLTS 1320L
Lab hours: 30
MLTS 1350 - Histology V (2 Credits)
A study of immunohistochemistry procedures and interpretations. Offered: Spring, Summer.
Prerequisites: MLTS 1330 and MLTS 1300 and MLTS 1310W and MLTS 1320W and MLTS 1310L and MLTS 1320L
Lecture hours: 2
MLTS 1360 - Histology VI (1 Credit)
Various professional topics are presented for discussion including board exam reviews, professionalism, laboratory information systems, and management principles. Offered: Spring, Summer.
Prerequisites: MLTS 1310W and MLTS 1320W and MLTS 1330 and MLTS 1300
Lecture hours: 1
MLTS 2010L - Medical Laboratory Technology III Lab (Microbiology) (2 Credits)
The laboratory component of the course develops the skills and competencies required to perform the diagnostic procedures in clinical microbiology. Offered: Spring; online and traditional options.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2211K
Corequisites: MLTS 2010W
Lab hours: 6
MLTS 2010W - Medical Laboratory Technology III (Microbiology) (2 Credits)
This course presents a study of human clinical bacteriology including general bacteriology, aerobic gram-positive cocci, gram-negative bacilli, gram-negative cocci, gram-positive bacilli and anaerobes. Discussion is centered on the cultivation, methods of identification, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, serological diagnosis and correlation to disease states. Offered: Spring or Fall if approved by program director; online only.
Prerequisites: BIOL 2211K
Corequisites: MLTS 2010L
Lecture hours: 2
MLTS 2020L - Medical Lab Technology IV Lab (Chemistry) (1 Credit)
The laboratory component is used to develop the skills and competencies required to operate and standardize the instruments utilized in the performance of chemical tests. The use of quality control is emphasized. Offered: Summer; online and traditional options.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1212K
Corequisites: MLTS 2020W
Lab hours: 3
MLTS 2020W - Medical Laboratory Technology IV (Chemistry) (3 Credits)
An in-depth study of analytical techniques utilized to measure the biochemical entities of blood and various body fluids. The correlation of test results to human physiology and pathology is emphasized. Offered: Summer or Fall if approved by program director, online only.
Prerequisites: CHEM 1212K
Corequisites: MLTS 2020L
Lecture hours: 3
MLTS 2630 - Medical Laboratory Technology Externship (15 Credits)
Students are introduced to the clinical laboratory in an affiliate clinical laboratory setting. The students receive an orientation to each department and an introduction to hospital policies and procedures. Each student rotates through appropriate departments and is allowed to demonstrate and develop their skills and competencies in blood bank, hematology, microbiology, chemistry, phlebotomy and body fluid analysis under the supervision of the laboratory staff instructor. Offered: Fall.
Prerequisites: (MLTS 1160 or MLTS 121 or MLTS 131 or MLTS 1160W) and (MLTS 1161 or MLTS 231 or MLTS 1161W) and (MLTS 2010 or MLTS 236 or MLTS 2010W) and (MLTS 2020 or MLTS 241 or MLTS 2020W)
Corequisites: MLTS 2670
Lab hours: 36
MLTS 2670 - Seminars in Medical Laboratory Science (1 Credit)
Seminar presentations on various topics related to medical laboratory science (topic reviews for board exams, professionalism, laboratory information systems, case presentations and/or other). Offered: Fall; online option only.
Prerequisites: MLTS 1160W and MLTS 1160L and MLTS 1161W and MLTS 1161L and MLTS 1182 and MLTS 2010W and MLTS 2010L and MLTS 2020W and MLTS 2020L
Corequisites: MLTS 2630
Lecture hours: 1