Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Histotechnology
The Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Histotechnology is designed for students who have already earned a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and have fulfilled the prerequisites defined under the Clinical Biology Specialization Programs. This certificate prepares the student for histotechnology certification with nine months of additional study and includes a five-month Clinical Experience at clinical affiliate sites. Students successfully completing the certificate requirement are eligible to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) HTL certification examination. Please note that certification agencies may change their qualifying requirements; it is the student’s obligation to meet those requirements.
Post-Baccalaureate (25 credits)
Core Courses
Immunization and Physical Examination
Before attending the Clinical Experience, the student must present proof of medical insurance, a physical examination, and current immunizations to include annual TB screening (PPD), Diphtheria Inoculation Tetanus (DTP), MMRx2, and Hepatitis B. These documents must be presented before the student will be allowed to progress to Clinical Experience status. Physical exams and immunizations will be done at the student’s expense.
Participation in the Clinical Experience
Clinical relocation may be necessary, which may include the student providing for and maintaining housing and living expenses for the duration of the program.
Important Notice:
Participation in clinical experiences is a required part of the curriculum for the Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Histotechnology and a requirement for completion of the program. Clinical affiliate sites require a drug and criminal background check in order to permit participation in the Clinical Experience. The program may deny a student’s participation in the Clinical Experience because of a felony or misdemeanor conviction, failure of a required drug test, or inability to produce an appropriate health clearance, which would result in delayed graduation or the inability to graduate. Individuals who have been convicted of a felony or misdemeanor may be denied certification or licensure as a health professional. Information regarding individual eligibility may be obtained from the appropriate credentialing bodies. Drug screening and background checks will be done at the student’s expense.
Progression and Academic Dismissal
Students must maintain an overall GPA of at least 2.75 at all times. Each didactic course must be passed with at least the minimally acceptable grade of C or higher. In the event a grade lower than C is received in any didactic biology course, the student must submit a letter to the Student Affairs Committee, requesting permission to repeat the course and continue. The members of the Committee will evaluate the student’s academic and advisee records and, depending upon this evaluation, the student may be allowed to repeat the course. If the permission is not granted, the student will not be able to continue.
One didactic course may be repeated one time with the consent of the program’s Student Affairs Committee. The grades of D, F, and W are considered the same as a grade lower than C when repeating any didactic course.
Students will not be able to enroll in any clinical experience until all didactic courses have been successfully completed. Should a student fail to meet the minimum passing grade of “73” (C) or higher for Clinical Experience I, the student can be dismissed.
Students participating in the Clinical Experience are expected to demonstrate progression of clinical and professional skills and good laboratory practice at all times. Students’ failure to do so can result in dismissal from the Clinical Experience and therefore may not be able to continue.
Accreditation
Barry University’s Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Histotechnology Program is approved by the Florida Department of Health, Board of Clinical Laboratory Personnel, and accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS): 5600 N. River Road, Suite 720, Rosemont, IL 60018 / Telephone: (773) 714‑8880/ Fax: (773) 714‑8886/E-mail: info@naacls.org.