Histologic Technology

The Associate in Applied Science (AAS) in Histologic Technology program prepares students to provide clinical support to pathologists and researchers through application of technical expertise in processing body tissues for microscopic examination, frozen section assistance, embedding techniques, microtomy, and special staining techniques. Students in the Histologic Technology program will be in contact with potentially infectious blood, tissues, and body fluids. A Certificate of Completion (CCL) in Histologic Technology is also available.

Details

Field of Interest
Health Sciences
Degree Type
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Academic Plan
Histologic Technology (DEG)
Academic Plan Code
3021
Total credits required
61-72
Catalog Year
2024-2025
Effective Term
Fall 2024
Admissions criteria

High school diploma or GED.
Completion of Program Prerequisites.
Proof of current immunization: Measles, Mumps, and Rubella (MMR), tuberculosis skin test (TB), varicella, tetanus, diphtheria, and Hepatitis B vaccine (HEB) and Seasonal Flu vaccine.
Submit current CPR card for Health Care Provider and maintain current status throughout the practicum(s).
Complete and submit the health declaration form signed by a licensed health care provider.
Submit to a drug screening and demonstrate negative results.
Ability to fully participate in classroom, laboratory, or clinical setting program activities.
A formal application and admission or readmission to the Histologic Technology program is required.
Application to the Histologic Technology program can be obtained from a Health Professions Advisor, the Program Director, or via the Phoenix College Health Professions, Fitness and Wellness Web site.

Background Check Requirements
Admission to an Allied Health program requires that students be in compliance with the Maricopa County Community College District Supplemental Background Check policy. Program applications will not be accepted without a copy of an Arizona Department of Public Safety Level One Fingerprint Clearance Card. Upon conditional program admission, the student must comply with all requirements of the current MCCCD background check policy.

Notes

Students must earn a grade of C or better in all courses within the program.

Completion of Anatomy and Physiology, Biology, Chemistry and Mathematics courses within the last eight (8) years is required.

What You'll Learn

This pathway map will help you gain the expertise needed to:

  1. Application of safety and government standards and compliance to the histology laboratory setting.
  2. Demonstrate professional and ethical conduct in all histology practices.
  3. Communicate utilizing sufficient medical terminology to serve the public, patients and members of the healthcare team.
  4. Implement quality assurance and quality control principles to tissue collection, tissue preparation, frozen section procedures, and microtomy and microscopy procedures.
  5. Application of proper collection, preparation, staining, processing, and analysis of biological specimens and other substances including reporting of results.
  6. Application of methodologies and techniques including problem solving and troubleshooting for histology techniques and instrumentation.
  7. Utilize computer applications of laboratory information systems and laboratory instrumentation in performing histology techniques.

Successful completion of this degree may lead to employment in a variety of different occupations and industries. Below are examples of related occupations with associated Arizona-based wages* for this degree. Education requirements vary for the occupations listed below, so you may need further education or degrees in order to qualify for some of these jobs and earn the related salaries. Please visit with an academic advisor and/or program director for additional information. You can click on any occupation to view the detail regarding education level, wages, and employment information.

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists

$46,600

* Career and wage information provided by Pipeline AZ using data, reports, and forecasts which are generated using government data sources. Sources

Course Sequence by Term

The following is the suggested course sequence by term. Please keep in mind:

  • Students should meet with an academic advisor to develop an individual education plan that meets their academic and career goals. Use the Pathway Planner tool in your Student Center to manage your plan.
  • The course sequence is laid out by suggested term and may be affected when students enter the program at different times of the year.
  • Initial course placement is determined by current district placement measures and/or completion of 100-200 level course and/or program requirements.
  • Degree and transfer seeking students may be required to successfully complete a MCCCD First Year Experience Course (FYE) within the first two semesters at a MCCCD College. Courses include FYE101 and FYE103. Course offerings will vary by college. See an academic, program, or faculty advisor for details.
  • Consult with your faculty mentor or academic advisor to determine educational requirements, including possible university transfer options, for your chosen career field.

Full-time Sequence

Full-time status is 12 credits to 18 credits per semester.

Term 1 Program Prerequisites

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 1 Program Prerequisites
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
ENG101 or
ENG107		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL Critical course FYC or FYC 3
BIO156 or
BIO181		 Introductory Biology for Allied Health or General Biology (Majors) I SQ or SQ 4
MAT14+ College Mathematics Critical course Complete MAT14+ or satisfactory completion of a higher mathematics course.
MAT courses must be completed within eight (8) years prior to admission or readmission to the Histologic Program 		MA 3–6
SB Social-Behavioral Sciences (SB) 3
FYE101 or
FYE103		 Introduction to College, Career and Personal Success or Exploration of College, Career and Personal Success 1–3

Term 2 Program Prerequisites

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 2 Program Prerequisites
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
CRE101 College Critical Reading and Critical Thinking Students must have completed the CHM130 and CHM130LL within eight (8) years prior to admission or readmission to the Histologic Program. L 0–3
CHM130 and
CHM130LL		 Fundamental Chemistry and Fundamental Chemistry Laboratory SQ in combo w/ CHM130LL and SQ in combo w/ CHM130 4
ENG102 or
ENG108		 First-Year Composition or First-Year Composition for ESL FYC or FYC 3
COM100 or
COM110 or
COM225 or
COM230		 Introduction to Human Communication or Interpersonal Communication or Public Speaking or Small Group Communication SB or SB or L or SB 3
BIO201 Human Anatomy and Physiology I Students must have completed the BIO201 within eight (8) years prior to admission or readmission to the Histologic Program. SG 4

Term 3 Program Prerequisites

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Term 3 Program Prerequisites
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HU Humanities, Arts, and Design (HU) 3
HCC130 Fundamentals in Health Care Delivery OR Permission of GateWay Health Core Curriculum Coordinator 0–3
HCC145AA Medical Terminology for Health Care Professionals I 0–1
BIO202 Human Anatomy and Physiology II Students must have completed the BIO202 within eight (8) years prior to admission or readmission to the Histologic Program. SG 4

Fall Semester (Term 4)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Fall Semester (Term 4)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HST180 Overview of Histology (Anatomic) Laboratory Critical course Gateway course 2
HST181 Chemistry of Fixation Critical course 3
HST182 Microtomy 5
Free Elective Free Elective Recommended 2 credit elective if needed to meet degree credit requirement 2

Spring Semester (Term 5)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Spring Semester (Term 5)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HST183 Practicum: Chemistry of Fixation 1
HST184 Practicum: Microtomy 1
HST185 Cellular Biological Staining 5
HST186 Cellular Biological and Immunohistochemical Staining 5

Summer Semester (Term 6)

A sequence of suggested courses that should be taken during Summer Semester (Term 6)
Course Number Course Name Requisites Notes Area Credits
HST187 Practicum: Cellular Biological Staining 1
HST188 Practicum: Cellular Biological and Immunohistochemical Staining 1
Course Area Key

Gateway Course = Generally the first major-specific course in a pathway.

Critical Course = A course that is highly predictive of future success in a pathway.

  • FYC = First Year Composition
  • L = Literacy & Critical Inquiry
  • MA = Mathematics
  • SB = Social-Behavioral Sciences
  • SG = Natural Sciences General
  • SQ = Natural Sciences Quantitative
Disclaimer

Course Sequence total credits may differ from the program information located on the MCCCD curriculum website due to program and system design.

View MCCCD’s official curriculum documentation for additional details regarding the requirements of this award (https://aztransmac2.asu.edu/cgi-bin/WebObjects/MCCCD.woa/wa/freeForm13?id=186337).

At Maricopa, we strive to provide you with accurate and current information about our degree and certificate offerings. Due to the dynamic nature of the curriculum process, course and program information is subject to change. As a result, the course list associated with this degree or certificate on this site does not represent a contract, nor does it guarantee course availability. If you are interested in pursuing this degree or certificate, we encourage you to meet with an advisor to discuss the requirements at your college for the appropriate catalog year.