Prerequisites
To be eligible to apply for the Histology Technician Program, you must have verification of at least a cumulative 2.8 GPA on a 4.0 scale with a strong track record in biology and chemistry.
Applicants have two options to enter the program:
- Earn an Associate of Science Histology Technician degree in partnership with Rochester Community and Technical College located in Rochester, Minnesota. Applicants complete 36 credits at RCTC and 24 credits at Mayo Clinic to complete their A.S. degree.
- Enter the program with an associate degree or higher from an accredited institution with completed required prerequisite coursework.
Prerequisite coursework
In addition, applicants must have completed courses with a grade C or better in these areas:
| Subject | Prerequisites |
|---|---|
| Biology | Eight semester hours (anatomy, physiology, and medical terminology highly recommended) |
| Chemistry | Eight semester hours |
| Social sciences | Three semester hours; this includes any social sciences or humanities course such as psychology, sociology or ethics |
| Math | Three semester hours |
| English or writing | Three semester hours |
It is also essential that applicants have basic computer skills to meet the demands of the online curriculum.
Technical and essential functions
Allied health education requires that the accumulation of scientific knowledge be accompanied by the simultaneous acquisition of essential skills and professional attitudes and behavior. Further, the program must ensure that patients are not placed in jeopardy by students with impaired intellectual, physical, or emotional functions. Therefore, admission to the Histology Technician program is offered only to those applicants who meet qualifications for education and training in the art and science of histotechnology.
To preserve the welfare of students and patients, the program has established minimum standards deemed essential for practicing in the field of histotechnology. Applicants must be able to perform the technical and essential functions of the profession and meet the standards of the curriculum. Applicants seeking exceptions to these standards or reasonable accommodations should initiate their request with the program director at least six weeks before the program begins. The following are examples of technical and essential functions required of the program. The student must be able to:
- Execute fine motor skills, steady hand function, and hand-eye coordination to efficiently perform skills in laboratory procedures
- Visualize specimens through a microscope
- Identify tissue elements and distinguish colors
- Tolerate smells associated with tissue and chemicals
- Tolerate sights such as whole-body organs, human or animal tissue samples, blood, and mucous
- Perform repetitive movements
- Comprehend three‐dimensional, spatial, and structural relationships
- Demonstrate strong professional attributes
- Manage their time, organize workload, and meet deadlines
See a complete listing of technical and essential functions required by the Histology Technician Program.