糖心Vlog传媒

Leading the Way

 Bachelor's Degree in Histotechnology Coming in Fall

糖心Vlog传媒 is set to offer its very own bachelor鈥檚 degree in Histotechnology starting this Fall.

Histotechnicians prepare thin sections of human, animal and plant tissue for microscopic examination. Mt. SAC鈥檚 program trains students for employment in clinical, veterinary, forensic, marine biology, and research laboratories.

鈥淭here is a nationwide shortage of histotechnicians, and this is a high-skill, high-wage profession,鈥� said Jennifer Mac Donald, Histotechnology Professor and the program鈥檚 director. 鈥淥ur students are in high demand and often get hired before completing the program.鈥�

Mt. SAC has offered an Associate of Science degree in Histotechnology since 2001 and has seen a cumulative pass rate over 92 percent on the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnology Exam.

The college鈥檚 Bachelor of Science degree is the only one in the state and one of five in the United States. According to labor data, the average salary for individuals working in this field is similar to that of nurses.

鈥淭his new program builds on our very strong Histotechnology AS degree,鈥� said Dr. Carmen E. Rexach, Professor of Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology and Public Health. 鈥淚t鈥檚 an exciting opportunity for the college and the community.鈥�

Students will pay $46 a unit for lower division classes and then $130 a unit for the remainder of the program. Many courses will be held in the evening or online to accommodate working professionals.

Mt. SAC joins 29 other California community colleges offering bachelor鈥檚 degrees.  California community colleges can accomplish this thanks to bills passed in 2014 and 2021, and as long as a California State University or University of California campus does not offer the same degree. 

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook projects employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 24,200 openings for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Mt. SAC鈥檚 bachelor鈥檚 degree also prepares graduates for higher level positions in management and research, according to Mac Donald.

Many openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. An increase in the population of older adults is expected to lead to a greater need for diagnosing medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians will be in demand to use and maintain the equipment needed for diagnosis and treatment.

鈥淚 am incredibly proud and excited the college is launching this new bachelor's degree program鈥攊t鈥檚 truly a game-changer for our community,鈥� Mt. SAC Board of Trustees President Peter Hidalgo said.  鈥淎s the region's largest single-campus community college, we are uniquely positioned to provide an affordable, high-quality pathway to a four-year degree. This initiative reflects our commitment to innovation, workforce development, and expanding opportunities for students who want to earn a bachelor's degree without leaving the community they call home.鈥�

Histotechnology Program

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