The Histotechnology (MHP) program is a one-year master's degree program, composed of intense academic studies and a three-month practicum. Students will earn a master of science degree and be prepared to work, under the direction of a pathologist, as a highly qualified allied health professional in anatomic pathology laboratories throughout the country.
What Is a Histotechnologist?
Histotechnologists and histotechnicians prepare human or animal tissue samples for microscopic examination. They treat the tissue with dyes and chemicals to help pathologists diagnose disease, conduct research or teach other medical personnel.
A histotechnologist is a highly motivated problem-solver who works well under pressure. Histotechnologists also possess acute hand-eye coordination necessary for operating manual and automated equipment. Above all, these allied health professionals are committed to quality patient care.
Luxol Fast Blue Stain, Spinal Cord.
For more information about the histotechnologist profession, please check out this video by the National Society of Histotechnologists.
Is This Program Right for Me?
Histotechnology program courses are ideal for:
- Recent graduates with a degree in a biological or allied health science, with exposure to anatomy, physiology, chemistry and microbiology. Previous exposure to pathology is recommended.
- Allied health professionals
- Research technicians
Career Opportunities
Histotechnologists are employed in hospitals, for-profit laboratories, clinics and public health facilities. Additional opportunities are available in the following fields:
- Clinical and industrial research
- Veterinary pathology
- Marine biology
- Forensic pathology
Opportunity for Alumni
Drexel University’s online Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding for Health Care Professionals offers the opportunity for those working in a laboratory setting as a Histotechnologist or Pathologists’ Assistant to enhance their careers with an 18-credit plan of study certification in medical billing and coding. The skills learned in Drexel’s online Medical Billing and Coding program will prepare you to work with laboratory and hospital administrators to determine relevant workload statistics and assign, capture, and transmit relevant revenue statistics to hospital administrators and third-party payors. Please note, this certificate program can't be taken while enrolled in the Histotechnology program. Learn more.
Meet Our Students and Alumni
Chris C., HT, HTL (Class of 2020)
After working in a diagnostic lab for two years following my biology degree, I found the Histotechnology program. With the help of my degree and references, I got my first job at a local hospital three months after graduating, during the pandemic, and passed the HT exam. About four months later I passed the HTL exam. Working at the hospital was a great experience that involved me at every step in a single day, promoting multitasking, general knowledge and even troubleshooting.
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Tariq White, MS (Class of 2017)
Yes, I acquired new knowledge about tissue processing, embedding, microtomy, special staining and laboratory leadership/management, but the invaluable part of the Drexel's Histotechnology program is the network you are building.
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Chiemela Nwaobasi, MS, HT (ASCP)
When I reflect on my time at Drexel's MHP program, I conclude that the experience not only made me a better histologist but also prepared me for leadership in the field of histology. Through cohorts with incredibly supportive classmates and professors that were nothing short of champions, I was challenged to discover potentials that I didn't know I had.
Read more.
News and Events
Each year the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) partners with Siemens Healthcare Diagnostics to award scholarships to medical laboratory students. The Siemens-ASCP Scholarship offers $1,000 to students in their final year of study in a program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Studies. This scholarship is granted based upon the student's GPA, leadership ability, letters of recommendation and a personal essay.
Histotechnology program students Sarah Marino and Erin Nacarelli were awarded this scholarship due to their outstanding academic and leadership achievement in the medical laboratory sciences.