Histotechnician (HT)

About the Program

Tarleton State University, a member of the Texas A&M University System, offers the Histology Technician Certification Program through its Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health, & Nutrition Science in Fort Worth, Texas. Faculty members of the Department are Certified Histotechnologists with Advanced degrees and/or specialty certification and varied clinical experiences offering a diverse academic presentation. Additionally, the staff is assisted by pathologists and histotechnologists from the affiliated clinical laboratories. Upon completion of required courses from the University or an accredited community college, students will complete 37 hours of sophomore level courses offered by the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health, & Nutrition Science. These courses will comprise the certification portion of the degree plan. Upon completion of the 60 hour program, students will be awarded the Associate of Applied Science Degree (AAS) from Tarleton State University and will be eligible to sit for the national certification examination, HT(ASCP). Prospective students may choose from a 12 month face-to-face format (open to anyone meeting pre-requisites) or online format (open to anyone meeting pre-requisites and currently working in a histopathology laboratory).

Read more about the A.A.S. in Histotechnology

Employment

The Department actively collects information regarding potential jobs and makes this information available to all students. Services of the University Placement Offices are also available. Graduates of the program are employed throughout the North Central Texas area as well as the state and the nation. The need for Certified Histology Technicians is growing. HT graduates will find employment in a variety of fields including both research and industrial hospital settings.

Forms and Applications

To apply to this program, complete the HT application and mail to the address on the application with the $35 non-refundable application fee. Three academic and/or professional references are required along with original transcripts from all universities and/or colleges attended.

After you are accepted into the program, you will then be instructed to apply to Tarleton State University:

Admission Requirements

HT Program applicants must complete an application and supply three reference letters (one from the community college advisors and two from faculty). Applicants for the online option must submit a Clinical Site Information Sheet with their application materials. The Tarleton HT program has a minimum requirement of 23 semester hours applicable toward an Associate of Applied Science (AAS) Degree that must be completed prior to admission. Students entering with an associates or baccalaureate degree must have 8 hours of biology including microbiology, 4 hours of chemistry, 3 hours of math (MATH 1314 or higher) and 3 hours of English.

Tuition / Scholarships

Tuition and fees are charged in accordance with the fee structure for the University. Tuition and fees may be calculated using the Tuition & Fee Calculator. A semester by semester estimate of tuition and fees will be provided at the Program Preview Session. Additional expenses incurred include: room, board, books, liability insurance, physical exam, immunizations, uniforms, drug screen and background check. As an enrolled student of the University, the HT student is eligible for scholarships and loans through the Financial Aid office of the University. Additionally, some local scholarships are available for students within the Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, Public Health, & Nutrition Science.

Application Procedures & Deadlines

Three classes per year are accepted, one in Spring, one in Summer, and one in Fall. Students are admitted on a competitive basis through an evaluation based on academic performance from transcripts and letters of reference. Official transcripts from all colleges must be submitted. A $35 non-refundable application fee will be charged for all applications. Application deadlines are March 15 for Summer classes, June 15 for Fall classes and October 15 for Spring classes. All transcripts, applications and references must be received prior to deadline dates. All applicants must reapply if they wish to be considered for future entry dates.

Apply now to the Histotechnology Program.

Accreditation

The program is fully accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018-5119, Phone Number: 773.714.8880. Students are encouraged to develop professional growth by participating as student members in professional societies such as NSH and TSH. 

Outcomes for NAACLS Program

Effective July 1st, 2020, we are required to notify you about licensing/certification requirements in other states. The TSU HT curricula prepare students to sit for the ASCP Board of Certification exam, for details on the ASCP BOC and licensure requirements in other states (Texas does not have licensure requirements), please see https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed/#state-licensure

Upon successful completion of the professional program, graduates are eligible to take the national certification exam, Histotechnician, HT (ASCP). Students will receive their Associate of Applied Science (AAS) degree from Tarleton State University. Awarding of the certificate and degree from Tarleton is not contingent upon passing national certification exams. View the outcomes of our students from 2012 to 2019 for receiving certification and employment after graduation.

Histotechnology

YearCertification Pass RateEmployment/Further Education RatesGraduation Rate*
2018-201990% (9/10)100% (14/14)100% (14/14)
2019-202075% (9/12)100% (13/13)100% (13/13)
2020-202190% (9/10)100% (12/12)100% (12/12)
2021-202271% (5/7)100% (11/11)100% (11/11)
2022-2023
100% (8/8)100% (9/9)100% (9/9)
2023-2024
(Data still being collected)
(0/0)100% (6/6)86% (6/7)

*The Graduation Rate for the HT program is calculated by comparing the number of students beginning the advanced portion of instruction to the number of students graduating for that year.

Degree Requirements

Students seeking the associate degree from Tarleton State University must complete the following 23 prerequisite hours at the University or other accredited community colleges. Tarleton State University offers the following prerequisite courses:

See the Tarleton State University Catalog for more information.

HT Prerequisite Courses

BIOL 2404A & P II4
HPTC 3350Medical Microbiology3
CHEM 1406Essentials of General and Biology Chemistry4
PSYC 2301Intro to Psychology3
ENGL 1301English Composition I3
MATH 1314 or 1332Fundamental Approach to College Algebra or Survey of Mathematics I3
FINE ARTSHumanities and Fine Arts Electives3
TOTAL 23

Notes:
a. English: Students will be placed into English courses in accordance with the University’s Placement and Continuing Enrollment Rules. Students must enroll in English during their first semester at Tarleton and every regular semester thereafter until the freshman English core curriculum requirement [i.e., ENGL 111 & 112] has been satisfied.
b. Mathematics: Students will be placed into mathematics courses in accordance with the University’s Placement and Continuing Enrollment Rules. Students must enroll in mathematics during their first semester at Tarleton unless they are eligible for placement into college-level mathematics [MATH 107 or higher]. Students eligible for placement into college-level mathematics may choose to postpone initial mathematics enrollment until their second regular semester at Tarleton. Following initial mathematics enrollment, students must enroll in mathematics every regular semester thereafter until the freshman mathematics core curriculum requirement [MATH 107 or higher] has been satisfied.

HT Professional Courses:

HLAB 2414, 2415, 2424, 2425, 2335, 2364, 2182, 2285, 2495, 2496, 2497

Prerequisite courses may also be completed at the community colleges below with the course numbers listed at the hyperlink

*Students with an associate degree or baccalaureate degree who do not wish to earn the AAS from Tarleton must have the following prerequisites: Biology: 12 hours including Microbiology; Chemistry: 4 hours; Math: 3 hours; English: 3 hours

It is the policy of Tarleton State University to maintain complete equality in the offering of all benefits to students without regards to sex, race, color, or national origin.

Partners

Located in the central hospital district of Fort Worth, at 1501 Enderly Place, the Department has current affiliations with area hospitals:

Histotechnology Clinical Sites

  • Ameripath, A Quest Diagnostics Company
  • Baylor Scott & White All Saint’s Hospital
  • Baylor Scott & White University Medical Center
  • Baylor Scott & White Medical Center at Irving
  • Children’s Medical Center Dallas
  • Cook Children’s Medical Center
  • Inform Diagnostics
  • Medical City Plano
  • Medical City Fort Worth
  • Parkland Memorial Hospital
  • PBM Laboratories
  • ProPath
  • Texas Health Resources Arlington Memorial Hospital
  • Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Fort Worth Hospital
  • Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist Southwest Hospital
  • Texas Health Resources Harris Methodist HEB
  • Texas Health Resources Huguley
  • Tissue Techniques
  • UT Southwestern Medical Center
  • Veterans Affair Hospital Dallas

Contact

Maria Artiles, HT(ASCP)
Histotechnology Program Director & Instructor
10850 Texas Rider Drive
Crowley, TX 76036
[email protected]
Phone: 817-926-1101
Fax: 817-922-8103