Cytotechnology

Career potential

Cytotechnologists stain and examine human cells and tissues under a microscope to identify abnormalities, especially cancer and pre-cancerous conditions. Cytotechnologists spend much of their time preparing and examining slides of Pap smears and tissue samples.

By majoring in cytotechnology at the University of North Texas, you may eventually work in the laboratory of a hospital or clinic or at a physician's office. You also may work for a health maintenance organization, a laboratory serving hospitals and physicians, a public health agency or a research firm. Some cytotechnologists work for the armed forces, Peace Corps, American Red Cross, U.S. Public Health Service or Veterans Affairs hospitals. Cytotechnologists may also work in a medical research laboratory.

A bachelor's degree with a major in cytotechnology will prepare you to enter most of these jobs. After graduation, you will need to become certified by passing an examination given by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Cytotechnology jobs are typically located in areas with large medical centers and have very good salaries.

UNT's Career Center can help you prepare to pursue your career. The center has information about jobs and employers, and the staff can help you with resume and letter writing, job search strategies and interview preparation.

Majoring in cytotechnology

As a cytotechnology major, you will study the structure and function of cells, organ systems and tissues in animals and humans; genetics; biotechnology; human anatomy and functions such as digestion, heart activity and respiration; microscopic organisms; organic chemistry and biochemistry; and techniques that laboratory professionals use to examine cells and cell structure under a microscope. You also will take courses in management, psychology, technical writing and statistics.

Faculty members in UNT's biological sciences and chemistry departments - the departments in which you will take most of your courses - are dedicated to high-quality teaching. One biological sciences faculty member was the only faculty member from a Texas college or university selected to participate in a program sponsored by the American Society for Microbiology. Several faculty members have been named Regents Professors for their outstanding teaching and research. Regents Professors devote at least half of their teaching load to introductory-level courses.

The university has a special scholarship for enrolled cytotechnology majors, the Propath/Pathology Medical Services Award.

You also will have an opportunity to begin your professional development as a member of the cytotechnology pre-professional student organization, Lambda Alpha Beta.

Getting hands-on experience

As a cytotechnology major, you must complete 12 months of clinical training at a hospital or laboratory approved by the American Medical Association. During your training, you will learn techniques for performing laboratory work. These training programs typically require full-time, 12 consecutive months of training. If you are an international student on a visa, you should speak with the program advisor at the beginning of your studies because of special circumstances regarding clinical training and visa status.

UNT's cytotechnology students complete their training at Berkshire Medical Center in Pittsfield, Mass.; Mayo School of Health Sciences in Rochester, Minn.; or University Hospital in San Antonio. Admission to clinical training is competitive. You must apply for and be accepted into a training program.

Preparing for UNT

If you are a high school student, we suggest you prepare for college by becoming computer proficient and taking:

• English … 4 years
• Math … 4 years
• Social science — economics, geography, government, history … 4 years
• Science … 3 years
• Foreign language … 3 years
• Fine arts … 1 year

You will need to take courses in most of these subjects under the university core curriculum required of all undergraduates, in addition to your major courses. Talk with your high school counselor about preparing for college, including the entrance exams (SAT Reasoning Test or ACT) that you should take during your junior year.

In high school, you should also take courses that focus on science and mathematics. Courses such as general biology, anatomy and physiology, biochemistry, general chemistry and statistics will be most beneficial.

As a benefit for transfer students, UNT participates in the Texas Common Course Numbering System. This system makes it easier to transfer credits for general academic courses from one Texas institution to another.

If you're attending a Texas community college, you should consult the UNT Transfer Guide, the UNT Undergraduate Catalog and an academic counselor to discuss your degree plan. Proper planning will help you receive the maximum amount of transfer credits. You may declare a major in cytotechnology immediately upon enrolling at UNT.

Charting your path with academic advising

The biological sciences faculty member who directs the cytotechnology program will help you each semester select courses necessary to earn your degree and apply for clinical training. The department office is in the Biology Building, Room 210.

Curious about courses and other features of this major?
See the current catalog.