Our mission is to train and develop high-quality histotechnicians. Histotechnicians are members of the laboratory team who prepare specimens for research or medical diagnosis by pathologists. They work with fragile, delicate tissue specimens, laboratory instruments, knives, chemicals and glass slides, all of which require mastery of skills and competency. We are dedicated to providing comprehensive education and hands-on training that prepare students to excel in this field that is experiencing increased demand.

The Histotechnician program outcomes are designed to align, correlate and support National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) entry-level competencies including both core and unique standards for the profession. Upon successful completion of this program, students will be able to:

1. Utilize technical, critical thinking and problem-solving skills in their didactic and clinical experiences in the Histotechnician program.
2. Recognize factors that affect procedures and results and take appropriate action within predetermined limits when corrections are indicated.
3. Recognize the responsibilities of other laboratory and healthcare professionals and interact with them with respect for their jobs and patient care.
4. Recognize and act upon individual needs for continuing education as a function of growth and maintenance of professional competence. 
5. Exercise principles of management, safety and supervision as the primary analyst making specimen-oriented decisions on predetermined criteria, including a working knowledge of criteria values related to specimen processing, information processing, training and quality control monitoring.
6. Apply ethical values and appropriate legal standards in histotechnology laboratory practice.
7. Promote advocacy of the profession through affiliations with professional organizations, marketing of professional skills and by becoming vital members of the healthcare delivery system.
8. Apply knowledge of cultural and socioeconomic differences to the practice of histotechnology.
9. Participate in continuing education and the development of new knowledge and skills.
10. Obtain eligibility to sit for national certification as a histotechnician offered by the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification.

Histotechnology is a hands-on, detail-oriented field that requires strong visual, motor and physical abilities. Students entering the Histotechnician program should be prepared to meet the essential functions outlined below. These abilities are necessary for safe and effective performance in both academic and clinical histology laboratory settings.

Required Skills and Abilities

• Accurate color vision – The ability to distinguish all colors is essential. In histology, color interpretation is critical for diagnoses due to the multitude of tissue stains and dyes used.
• Good depth perception
• Well-developed fine motor skills and manual dexterity, including:
  • The ability to pick up small pieces of tissue using forceps
  • The ability to weigh very small quantities (in milligrams) of reagents or powders
• Strong hand-eye coordination
• The ability to lift and carry at least 20 pounds

Accessibility and Accommodations

If you have a limitation in any of the above areas, we encourage you to speak with the program director prior to applying. Students with documented disabilities are entitled to support through AACC’s Disability Support Services.

Contact for Questions or Concerns

Applicants who have questions about these essential functions or who may require an accommodation are encouraged to contact the Histotechnician program director directly for guidance.

AACC is currently pursuing program accreditation status through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). This accreditation is a testament to our commitment to providing the highest quality education in the field of histotechnology. For details or inquiries related to AACC’s accreditation status, contact:

National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
5600 N. River Road, Suite 720
Rosemont, IL 60018-5119
Phone: 773-714-8880
Fax: 773-714-8886
info@naacls.org 

All students enrolled in the Histotechnician program at AACC are required to complete two clinical courses in their final spring semester:

• HTC 202 – Clinical Practicum 1 (3 credits, 160 hours)
• HTC 203 – Clinical Practicum 2 (3 credits, 160 hours)

Each course includes a supervised clinical rotation at an approved affiliate site, providing students with hands-on experience in histotechnology laboratories. The combined 320 hours of clinical training ensures students develop proficiency in routine histology procedures, special staining and laboratory workflow in real-world settings.

Should the number of students exceed the number of available clinical placements, students may be deferred and scheduled for placement in early summer. The program director assigns students to clinical sites based on availability and program objectives.

Clinical Site Disclosure

• Enrolled students receive a comprehensive program handbook that lists all current clinical affiliates.
• Prospective students are informed about the clinical affiliates during the information sessions hosted by the program director.
• Information regarding clinical affiliate sites is also available by contacting the program director.

Clinical Rotation Orientation and Syllabus

Prior to starting clinical rotations, students receive a detailed syllabus for each clinical course that outlines:

• Learning objectives and competencies
• Evaluation methods
• Responsibilities of the student, clinical supervisor, and Program Director

The program director also verifies that all health and safety documentation has been completed and submitted to the clinical affiliate site before the student begins clinical training.

Class of 2025
Graduation Rate: 100%
Attrition Rate: 0%
Job Placement Rate: Data not yet available. Job placement outcomes will be reported once one full year has passed since graduation.

AACC Histotechnician Program Admission Requirements 

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