Histotechnologists are responsible for routine and specialized procedures on tissue and autopsy specimens for diagnosis.

The Histotechnology Program is offered as an area of emphasis within the Medical Laboratory Science major. Students graduate with a Bachelor?s of Science degree in Medical Laboratory Science independent of passing the national certification exam offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

The first two years consist of a pre-professional curriculum and the last two years consist of the Histotechnology Program curriculum. The pre-professional curriculum can be completed at WVU main campus, one of the WVU regional campuses or any regionally accredited college or university. Courses required within the first two years include general biology (8 hours), inorganic chemistry (8 hours), organic chemistry (CHEM 231 or organic chemistry I and II), college algebra or higher, introductory statistics, and the general education requirements.

The Histotechnology Program curriculum is based at the WVU Robert C. Byrd Health Sciences Center. The first year consists of a didactic schedule focusing on routine laboratory procedures with incorporated laboratory sessions and the second year will focus on complex procedures with on-site and clinical rotations. Clinical rotations will be completed at the program?s affiliated clinical laboratories located in Morgantown, WV and Pittsburgh, PA. During the clinical rotation, the students will apply their knowledge and skills by using state-of-the-art equipment to perform laboratory procedures under the supervision of the clinical instructor.