Areas of Study

The use of diagnostic cytology as a tool in the early detection of cancer has increased throughout the world. Employment opportunities are available to the Cytotechnologist in:

Clinical laboratories of Hospitals
Commercial or private laboratories
Teaching institutions
Research facilities
Sales
Management/Supervisor

With improved methods of early detection and diagnosis of cancer, as well as an increased incidence of the disease, the Cytotechnologist is ensured of many employment opportunities with a good salary, professional mobility, and challenging work. Upward mobility and career advancement opportunities exist through professional experience or pursuit of advanced degrees.

A 12-month certificate Program includes molecular diagnostics courses work and clinical experience to respond to future needs in the Profession. The mission of the program is to prepare competent entry level professionals in diagnostic cytology; to disseminate and explore new and innovative knowledge related to future professional practice, and for continuation of a career ladder in the laboratory profession.

 

This program is taught at the graduate level and has an interdisciplinary component that includes course work from the Molecular Diagnostics Program and the PhD Program in Molecular and Cellular Pathology at UNC.  

Prerequisite courses include a bachelor’s degree and 20 semester hours of Biology including Microbiology, Cell Biology, and Genetics. 12 semester hours of Chemistry are required including General chemistry and Biochemistry or their equivalent, and a 3 credit hours course in college math.

Graduates are eligible for certification and employment as cytotechnologists after completion of the 12 month program. They may chose to work full time as a cytotechnologist, while continuing with on-line Molecular Diagnostics training on a part-time basis to complete a full year of Molecular Diagnostics courses. They will have earned 6-8 credit hours of course work in Molecular Diagnostics during their cytotechnology training. The cytotechnology graduate may which to continue their education earning a PhD degree in Molecular and Cellular Pathology. If they choose this option, they like-wise will have earned 6-8 credits of course work toward their PhD degree while in the Cytotechnology program.  A separate application and GRE entrance exam is required. 

For a full description of the Curriculum. please click HERE (http://www.med.unc.edu/ahs/cytotech/CourseDescription.htm)