Javascript is currently not supported, or is disabled by this browser. Please enable Javascript for full functionality.

Skip to Main Content
    Florida State College
   
 
  Mar 22, 2023
 
2009-2010 Catalog [Aug. 2009-Aug. 2010] 
    
2009-2010 Catalog [Aug. 2009-Aug. 2010] [Archived Catalog]

Histologic Technology (2262) (A.S.)


Return to Program Requirements Return to: Program Requirements

Associate in Science

Mission Statement

Creating competent, ethical, confident entry–level health care practitioners committed to professional development through life–long learning in a positive, non–discriminatory and supportive learning environment.

The Career

Histologic technology professionals develop skills that reach into a variety of fields. Most commonly these highly skilled individuals will be used in hospitals or private pathology laboratories, playing an integral role in preparing tissue specimens for the microscopic diagnosis of disease. Additionally, histology, the science of demonstrating a multitude of cellular characteristics, will be found utilitized in medical, pharmaceutical and industrial research settings. The field of histologic technology is rapidly advancing, as more and more sophisticated diagnostic tools are being developed.

For additional information about a rewarding career as a histologic technician or technologist, write:

National Society for Histotechnology
10320 Little Patuxent Parkway, Suite 804
Columbia, MD 21044

The Program

This limited access program, accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) at 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, Illinois 60631-3145, (773) 714-8880, enables the graduate to sit for the ASCP Histologic Technician examination. Students who pass the HT (ASCP) exam will be eligible for Florida licensure in histotechnology through the Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel, Department of Health. Students are evaluated for acceptance into the program based on academic criteria (completion of prerequisite courses) and interview. Selected histologic technology courses are formatted for Web-based and hybrid delivery; therefore, computer skills with Internet access is a program requirement. Distance students are welcome. Students may find it difficult to work during the practicum phase of the education (last two semesters) due to the number of required contact hours per week. Students will be expected to perform in a professional manner during the campus and practicum phases and must have excellent coordination skills.

Internships/Rotations

Two of the three semesters involve clinical rotations in area research labs and private clinics.

Career Opportunities, Rapid Placement

Rapidly advancing technology and new, sophisticated tools have made this science more accessible. By 2010, the U.S. will need an additional 106,000 histologic technologists to fill the growing demand. Our graduates are usually offered immediate employment by the hospital or medical center where they train. However, your skills can also be applied to research in human disease, forensics, veterinary pathology or marine biology.

Annual Salaries

The typical starting salary in this field is $28,000-$36,000.

Accreditation and Certification

This limited access program, accredited by the The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) at 8410 West Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670, Chicago, Illinois 60631–3415, (773) 714-8880 enables the graduate to sit for the ASCP Histologic Technician examination. Students who pass the HT (ASCP) exam will be eligible for Florida licensure in histotechnology through the Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel, Department of Health.

Application Procedure

  1. Complete 12 credits of college credit coursework applicable to the A.S. histologic technology degree, to include ENC 1101 or MAC 1105, and either BSC 2010C or BSC 2085C. A chemistry course is strongly recommended.
  2. Submit completed application to the HT program.
  3. Complete required interview process with the HT education coordinator and program director.

A physical examination will be required upon acceptance to the program.

Prior to contact with patients or patient specimens, students must furnish proof of childhood immunizations and Hepatitis B immunization. Contact program director for additional information.

Students are evaluated for acceptance into the program based on academic criteria (completion of prerequisite courses) and interview. Selected histologic technology courses are formatted for Web-based delivery; therefore, computer skills with Internet access is a program requirement. Students may find it difficult to work during the practicum phase of the education (last two semesters) due to the number of required contact hours per week. Students will be expected to perform in a professional manner during the campus and practicum phases and must have excellent coordination skills.

Students must earn a grade of C or better in the histologic technology courses and complete all campus-based courses with a grade point average of 2.0 or better before entering the practicum phase of their education. Placement in the clinical practicum is on a space available basis; a GPA ranked waiting list will determine placement should space become limited for reasons beyond the control of the program.

Need More Information?

View Program Information and Contacts

Curriculum


Total Credit Hours: 76

Record of Conviction of a Crime


Effective July 1, 2009, pursuant to Section 456.0635, Florida Statutes, health care review boards shall refuse to renew a license, certificate or registration, issue a license, certificate or registration and shall refuse to admit a candidate for examination if the applicant has been convicted or plead guilty or nolo contendre, regardless of adjudication, to a felony violation of: chapters 409, 817, or 893, Florida Statutes; or 21 U.S.C. ss. 801-970 or 42 U.S.C. ss 1395-1396, unless the sentence and any probation or pleas ended more than 15 years prior to the application, terminated for cause from Florida Medicaid Program (unless the applicant has been in good standing for the most recent 5 years) or terminated for cause by any other State Medicaid Program or the Medicare Program (unless the termination was at least 20 years prior to the date of the application and the applicant has been in good standing with the program for the most recent 5 years). The Florida nursing or allied health licensure or certification application requires disclosure of any criminal history and the disposition of all cases prior to board review. Being convicted of, or having entered a plea of guilty or nolo contendere to, any of the listed felonies in Florida Statute 456.0635 or termination for cause from the statutorily-described Medicaid programs will preclude an applicant from obtaining a nursing or allied health license or certification in the state of Florida. Entry and acceptance into the nursing or allied health program does not guarantee licensure or certification in the State of Florida.

Note


Most clinical agencies require students to undergo drug screen and criminal background checks prior to placement in the agencies for clinical experiences. Students whose drug screening and criminal background checks are deemed unsatisfactory may be denied access to clinical experiences by the clinical agencies. Failure to qualify for and meet clinical requirements at clinical sites may prevent completion of the program. Withdrawal from the program may be necessary if students cannot be placed for clinical experiences.

The cost of the background check and drug screen is borne by the student. Additionally, it is the student’s responsibility to have all paperwork completed by the program’s published deadline.

Students who are unable to complete the clinical requirements after acceptance into selective access programs are not eligible for refunds of tuition.

Graduation Requirements


In order to be awarded the associate in science or associate in applied science degree, students must have met the following requirements:

  1. Earned a cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) at Florida State College in courses eligible toward the associate in science or applied science degree programs (A.S. Florida State College GPA or A.A.S. Florida State College GPA).
  2. Earned an all–college cumulative grade point average of 2.0 (C) on all courses attempted, including transferred credits. (All college cumulative).
  3. Completed at least 25 percent of credit semester hours required for the degree at Florida State College.
  4. Completed a minimum of 60 semester hours, as specified by the degree, of which a minimum of 15 semester hours must be General Education requirements.
  5. Earned a grade of at least a “C” in each course used to satisfy the General Education Requirements .
  6. Can demonstrate mastery of the Information Literacy Assessment. Refer to the assessment section for details.

Note: Students are cautioned to pay particular attention to the following statements.

  1. Graduation dates will be the date at the end of the college term in which the students complete the academic requirements for the degree or certificate for which students are applicants. (The removal of an incomplete grade does not affect students’ graduation dates, since the grade change is effective as of the end of the term in which the incomplete grade was assigned rather than the term in which the incomplete work was made up.)
  2. If students expect to complete the coursework under the terms of the catalog in effect during the term of their first registration, they must graduate within five years or they will need to be reassigned to an active catalog. Accordingly, students who enter under this catalog (2009/2010) must graduate by the end of the Summer Term 2014, or they will automatically be reassigned to the 2013/2014 catalog requirements. Changes to requirements as mandated by law or by rule of the District Board of Trustees may supersede this provision.
  3. The General Education Requirements may be taken on any Florida State College campus or center.
  4. Many courses in this catalog have prerequisite and/or corequisite courses which are listed in the course descriptions. Students are advised to be guided by these requirements.
  5. Students who place into college preparatory courses are required to complete designated college preparatory courses with a grade of “C” or better regardless of program of study.
  6. Students enrolling in associate in applied science programs must pass all sections of the placement test before award of an A.A.S. degree, regardless of the degree program’s general education requirements.
  7. Degree–seeking students whose native language is not English, who fall below a designated cutoff score on the English as a second language (ESL) entry placement test, will be required to take ESL courses with EAP prefix prior to registering for other college credit classes. The level of these courses will be determined by the entry placement scores. Individual exceptions will be determined by the ESL program manager.
  8. Degree–seeking students identified as non–native speakers must take an English as a second language (ESL) placement test prior to taking the College’s standard course placement test. Students who place into ESL, as determined by the test, must complete ESL courses before registering for other college credit classes. Non–degree seeking college credit students who plan to take English or reading courses must also meet these requirements. Exceptions to these requirements can be made by the ESL program manager or designee.

University Transfer


This associate in science degree program is intended primarily for students who desire to complete an associate in science degree and become employed. Students who decide to pursue university transfer study must meet certain course and test requirements. For details refer to the university transfer guide.

Articulation


This A.S. degree program articulates into a bachelor’s degree program. For more information, please visit the Transfer Services Web page and look for your A.S. program of study.

Return to Program Requirements Return to: Program Requirements