Histotechnology Program

About the Profession

Histotechnologists aid in the diagnosis of various diseases and disorders through tissue processing, embedding, hematoxylin and eosin stains, and special stain techniques as well as advanced techniques, such as immunohistochemistry and enzyme testing.

About the Program

The VUMC Histotechnology Program’s mission is to cultivate a generation of highly skilled and compassionate histotechnologists through comprehensive education and practical training within a hospital-based setting. We are committed to fostering a learning environment that promotes excellence, integrity, and innovation in laboratory medicine. Our program aims to equip students with the knowledge, critical thinking abilities, and technical proficiency necessary to excel in the dynamic field of histotechnology. By instilling a dedication to patient care, ethical practice, and continuous professional development, we aspire to empower graduates to positively impact healthcare outcomes and contribute to the advancement of medical science.

Detailed information about the program’s mission, goals, and expectations is available in the Handbook.

Program Structure

The program is 10 months in length, beginning in January and concluding in October. It is offered in two formats: on-campus or partially online. Each year, the program admits up to four students for the on-campus route and ten for the online route.

All students complete introductory coursework, which includes topics such as anatomy and physiology, laboratory mathematics, and instrumentation, before transitioning into profession-specific lectures and clinical rotations. Course descriptions are available in the Handbook.

On-campus Route

These students complete the entirety of the program on campus at Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories. All lectures and clinical rotations occur onsite. Students complete a minimum of 16 clinical rotation hours per week.

Partially online route

Online students attend weekly lectures asynchronously and schedule their own clinical rotation hours for a minimum of 16 hours per week.

Students are responsible for securing their own clinical rotation site. Prior to program acceptance, documentation must be completed to ensure that the selected clinical site can provide appropriate experiential training.

Accreditation

The Vanderbilt University Medical Center Histotechnology Program is currently seeking accreditation through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). More information about NAACLS may be found at www.naacls.org.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must possess a bachelor's degree with at least 30 total semester credit hours in biology and chemistry, with courses in both. Applicants must also have a 2.5 overall GPA as well as a 2.5 or higher GPA in science (biology and chemistry).

The program also has a 3+1 academic affiliation with Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU), allowing students to complete their first three years of a bachelor’s degree at MTSU and their fourth year within the VUMC Histotechnology Program.

Application Process

The application is open from the first Monday in January to the second Friday of September. The online application link is here. A complete application includes transcripts, a personal statement, a resume, and three references with optional letters of recommendation. All applicants who meet the minimum requirements with respect to prior coursework and GPA will be granted an in-person or virtual interview with the Program Director and representatives of the Vanderbilt Medical Laboratories. Please consult the Handbook for more details about selection criteria and the candidate review process.

Tuition and Fees

* This table lists fees that are payable to VUMC. Please refer to the Handbook for additional fees payable to third parties as well as detailed information about withdrawal and refund policies.

Contact Info

Holly Covas, EdD, MPH, MLS(ASCP)^CM, HTL(ASCP)^CM
Program Director 
holly.covas@vumc.org 
(615) 322-8681