Histology – the microscopic study of tissues – plays a vital role in the diagnosis and treatment of disease. Histologists are essential health care professionals who turn tissue samples into slides that tell a story — one that can reveal cancer, confirm a diagnosis, or guide life-saving treatment. Using state-of-the-art techniques and technology, histologists work behind the scenes to support patient care every day.
The UPMC School of Histology offers a nine-month accelerated certificate program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Beginning in January and July each year, this program combines five months of rigorous virtual didactic learning with four months of full-time practical, hands-on training at one of our UPMC clinical rotation sites.
Upon successful completion of the program, students will be eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification for either Histotechnicians (HT ASCP) or Histotechnologists (HTL ASCP), depending on their prior level of education.
The mission of the UPMC School of Histology is to educate and prepare a highly skilled and competent workforce of qualified histologists to meet the needs of western Pennsylvania and beyond. Through a rigorous and high-quality program, students develop the knowledge, technical skills, professional attitudes, and ethical values essential for success in the field of histology.
The UPMC School of Histology offers an excellent pathway for individuals with a background in science to pursue a high-demand healthcare career without the need for extensive additional years of education.
Each student accepted into the program must pass a health screening conducted by UPMC Employee Health before the start of the program.
Candidates for admission to the Histotechnology program must possess the following skills:
Sensory/observational skills
Physical and motor skills
Communication skills
Intellectual/conceptual, integrative, and qualitative skills
Behavioral/social skills and professionalism
Applicants may cancel their enrollment in person or in writing up to 30 days before the first day of classes. If an applicant cancels their enrollment within this period, the tuition portion minus the deposit money will be refunded.
It is the responsibility of the prospective student to resell or return textbooks for refunds.
If the School terminates the program before the first day of classes, all monies paid by the applicant will be refunded within 30 days after cancellation or termination of the program.
If a student enters training and subsequently withdraws or discontinues four weeks or more after the first day of classes, there will be no refund.
If the student withdraws or discontinues within the first four weeks, a prorated tuition refund, minus a processing fee, will be issued.
The School reserves the right to dismiss students from the program if they:
There will be no refund.
The School reserves the right to terminate the program provided that the students will be able to complete the program or be accommodated by a transfer.
Prepare graduates with the knowledge, technical skills, and professional behaviors necessary to competently perform routine and specialized histologic procedures in clinical laboratories.
Provide clinical training experiences that reflect employer expectations, ensuring graduates are immediately employable
Foster critical thinking, decision-making, and problem-solving skills to enable graduates to function effectively in a variety of histology laboratory settings.
Continuously evaluate and improve curriculum and instructional methods based on feedback, outcome data, and NAACLS standards to ensure program effectiveness.
The UPMC School of Histology embraces a 3 + 1 program, in which students spend the first three years of their college careers at an accredited institution in a biology curriculum. Their fourth year (senior year) is spent going through the UPMC School of Histology program. College credit for this senior year is assigned by the institution granting the degree upon successful completion of the UPMC School of Histology program, and is sufficient to guarantee a baccalaureate degree awarded by the affiliated institution. Individuals who have earned a baccalaureate degree in any discipline and meet the prerequisite requirements are eligible for admission to the program. These students are generally considered 4 + 1.
Interested in learning more? Please contact UPMCHistoSchool@upmc.edu.
Jessica Connell, HTL (ASCP)CM, Program Director
UPMC Histology School Program Manager
412-864-2905
Stinnerjr2@upmc.edu
