Program Director: Pijuan-Thompson
Faculty: Brock, Pijuan-Thompson
Medical Director: Eltoum
Cytotechnology, the study of cells from various organs of the body, is one of the most successful means of detecting cancer at an early stage when it can be cured. The cytotechnologist (CT) is a health care professional who assists the pathologist by performing microscopic evaluation of cellular samples from virtually all organs of the body to detect microorganisms, infectious lesions, cancer, and related diseases. Cytotechnologists also perform various specialized techniques used in collecting, preparing, and staining cellular samples.
Graduates are employed throughout the United States as cytotechnologists in state, federal, private, or hospital-based laboratories. With experience, opportunities are also available in administration, teaching, industry, and research. Graduates may obtain an advanced degree in an area of special interest to further their knowledge and opportunity for advancement.
Accreditation: The program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs in collaboration with the Cytotechnology Programs Review Committee of the American Society of Cytopathology.
Credentials Conferred: Diploma—The Bachelor of Science degree and a baccalaureate certificate of completion are awarded by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Professional Certification—Graduates are eligible to apply for the cytotechnologist certification examination of the Board of Registry of the American Society of Clinical Pathologists.
Length of Study: Preprofessional Phase—Six semesters (approximately three years); Professional Phase in SHP—Three semesters (twelve months).
Term of Enrollment for Professional Phase of Program: Fall semester.
Professional Phase Application Deadline: Completed applications received by April 15 preceding the expected term of enrollment for the professional phase are given first priority. Applications received after April 15 are considered on a space-available basis.
Application Procedure: The following materials must be submitted. To the UAB Undergraduate Admissions Office:
- completed UAB undergraduate application form, indicating pre-cytotechnology as the major, and application fee, if applicable (if enrolled at UAB in another major, complete a Change of School/Major Request indicating pre-cytotechnology as the major; form available from the Office of Registration and Academic Records), and
- official transcripts from each college or university attended.
To the Cytotechnology Program Office, School of Health Professions:
- completed application to the professional phase of the Cytotechnology Program (form available from the program office).
Requirements for Admission: The student usually will have completed 70 semester hours before enrolling in SHP for three semesters of professional courses. Acceptance will be based upon the student’s academic ability and aptitude for a career as a cytotechnologist. The candidate is expected to satisfy the following requirements:
- have a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.4 (A=4.0) in Area I Written Composition, Area II Humanities and Fine Arts, and Area IV History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences core curriculum prerequisites;
- have a minimum grade point average of 2.4 in Natural Sciences and Mathematics prerequisites in Area III and Area V of the core curriculum, calculated on all hours attempted;
- have a minimum grade of C in each course in the UAB/Program Core Curriculum;
- complete an interview with the selection committee
- document a visit to a Cytotechnology laboratory; and
- if accepted, complete the UAB medical history questionnaire and physical, provide proof of required immunizations, and receive satisfactory screening by the UAB Medical Center Student Health Service.
A person who holds a baccalaureate degree and wishes to become a cytotechnologist must meet all admission requirements prior to being considered eligible for admission to the professional phase.
Early Acceptance: The program offers an early acceptance for entering UAB freshman and sophomore students with good academic records. Interested students should contact the Cytotechnology Program for further information and application.
Essential Requirements: Fundamental tasks, behaviors, and abilities necessary to successfully complete the academic and clinical requirements of the program and to satisfy licensure/certification requirements, if any, have been outlined and are available upon request from the academic program office. Students requesting disability accommodations must do so by filing a disability accommodation request in writing with the Disability Support Services Office.
UAB/Program Core Curriculum - UAB Equivalents
(Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)
The following courses must be completed prior to the beginning of the professional phase of the program. Contact the program advisor for details regarding the core curriculum.
Area I. Written Composition (6 hours)
English Composition - EH 101, 102 (6)
Area II. Humanities and Fine Arts (12 hours)
Literature1 (3)
Fine Arts elective (3)
Electives1 (6)
Area III. Natural Sciences and Mathematics (11 hours)
Precalculus Algebra or Trigonometry - MA 105 or MA 106 (3)
General Chemistry—2 semester sequence - CH 115/116 lab, 117/118 lab2 (8)
Area IV. History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences (12 hours)
History1 (3)
Electives (psychology and sociology recommended)1 (9)
Area V. Preprofessional, Major, and Elective Courses
General Biology - BY 123 (4)
Human Anatomy and Human Physiology - BY 115, 116 (8)
Microbiology - BY 261 or BY 271 2 (4)
Computing Fundamentals - CS 101 (3)
Cell Biology - BY 330 (3) or comparable course such as Pathophysiology (BY 216) or Histology (BY 327)
Genetics - BY 210 (3)
Statistics - MA 180 (3)
1A 6-semester hour sequence either in literature or in history is required. If a second literature is chosen, it will apply as 3 of the elective hours in Area II Humanities and Fine Arts; if a second history is chosen, it will apply as 3 of the elective hours in Area IV History, Social, and Behavioral Sciences.
2Courses must be those required for a major and include laboratory.
A person who holds a baccalaureate degree and wishes to become a cytotechnologist will be considered for admission to the professional phase. Prerequisites for such persons include the equivalent of the courses in Natural Sciences and Mathematics under Area III and Area V of the UAB/Program Core Curriculum and the other admission requirements. Upon graduation, a Bachelor of Science degree and a baccalaureate certificate of completion will be awarded by the University of Alabama at Birmingham.
Typical Program
Professional Phase
(Course requirements are listed in semester credit hours)
Senior Year
Fall
AHS 460 Research Methods (3)
CT 401 Gynecologic Cytopathology I (5)
CT 402 Gynecologic Cytopathology II (5)
CT 403 Laboratory Operations (2)
CT 421 Gynecologic Cytopathology I Lab (2)
CT 422 Gynecologic Cytopathology II Lab (3)
MT 400 Health and Safety Management (1)
Spring
CT 411 Non-gynecologic Cytopathology I (5)
CT 412 Non-gynecologic Cytopathology II (5)
CT 424 Non-gynecologic Cytopathology I Lab (2)
CT 425 Non-gynecologic Cytopathology II Lab (3)
MT 342 Molecular Diagnostics (4)
Summer
CT 490 Clinical Practicum l (4)
CT 491 Clinical Practicum ll (4)
CT 492 Clinical Practicum lII (4)
For further information, contact:
Department of Clinical and Diagnostic Sciences
Admissions Office
School of Health Professions Building Room 230
1705 University Boulevard
Birmingham, Alabama 35294-1212
Telephone: (205) 934-3209
E-mail: askCDS@uab.edu