Cytology, MS
Biology, Cancer, Cell Biology, Cytotechnology, Diagnostics, Disease, Health, Histology, medical, pathology
You can be the connection between a patient and the right diagnosis. Ideal for those with a passion for science and for solving puzzles, this program trains you in using medical techniques and technologies to investigate cells, diagnose diseases and save lives.
If you're seeking to advance your current career in the clinical laboratory by becoming a specialist in minimally invasive diagnostic methods, the Master of Science program in cytology is for you. This program's focus on early disease detection and diagnosis is based on the visual analysis of microscopic cellular findings and connecting those findings with the patient's clinical history.
Through virtual labs and didactic coursework, you build your knowledge in anatomy, pathophysiology, histology and cytopathology across every organ system. You integrate this knowledge with microscopic screening and diagnostic skills to identify cancers, infectious diseases and other clinically significant microscopic changes. The curriculum incorporates current advanced diagnostic technologies, including molecular diagnostics, immunohistochemical biomarkers and digital pathology. You prepare for day-to-day quality assurance activities as well as principles of laboratory operations and management.
A required in-person clinical practicum experience allows you to refine your skills in a cytology clinical laboratory setting under the supervision of practicing cytologists and pathologists.
Emphasizing technical expertise, critical thinking and ethical standards essential for health professional practice, you are prepared to excel in a broad range of clinical environments, addressing critical health care needs with precision and innovation.
Pending program accreditation, completion of this program qualifies you to take the American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification examination in cytology. Certification is required for full clinical practice as a cytologist.
- College/school:
College of Health Solutions
- Location: Online
- STEM-OPT extension eligible: No
44 credit hours and a portfolio
Required Core (37 credit hours) Other Requirements (7 credit hours) Culminating Experience (0 credit hours) Additional Curriculum Information The program culminates in a noncredit-bearing portfolio where students synthesize their cytology theory and clinical experience. This reflective and integrative portfolio showcases student proficiency and serves as a valuable tool for future career advancement and professional development. Technical standards: Color blindness makes it challenging for some individuals to differentiate between some colors, shades of colors or see color brightness, and it may diminish observational skills required for laboratory testing. Individuals with color blindness can be trained to differentiate and characterize the colors of stains, reagents, microscopic cells, labels, biologic devices or any device or printout used in diagnostic laboratory procedures. Students can view a complete listing of technical and essential functions required at https://acrobat.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:ecbfedf8-7c11-375e-b8bb-bf32376a422b.
BMD 510 Current Perspectives in Biomedical Diagnostics (3)
BMD 513 Principles of Diagnostic Technology: Immunoassays (4)
BMD 514 Principles of Diagnostic Technology: Molecular Diagnostics (3)
BMD 570 General Principles of Cytology and Pathology (3)
BMD 571 Microscopic Evaluation (3)
BMD 572 Laboratory Operations and Preparation (3)
BMD 601 Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (3)
BMD 602 Effusion and Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology (3)
BMD 603 Gastrointestinal Cytology (3)
BMD 604 Gynecologic Cytology (3)
BMD 605 Pulmonary Cytology (3)
BMD 606 Urinary Cytology (3)
BMD 500 Research Methods (2)
BMD 580 Practicum (5)
portfolio
The BMD 580 Practicum is a required, in-person, hands-on experience to be conducted at a clinical laboratory under the guidance of an approved supervisor. Students are responsible for finding their practicum site (likely their place of employment) and are encouraged to connect with the unit early to discuss the process for securing a practicum site, if needed.
General university admission requirements:
All students are required to meet general
university admission requirements.
U.S.
applicants | International
applicants | English
proficiency
Applicants must fulfill the requirement of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions.
Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in health, STEM or a related field from a regionally accredited institution.
Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program.
Applicants are required to submit:
- graduate admission application and application fee
- official transcripts
- professional resume
- one reference (academic or professional)
- statement of purpose
- proof of employment in a clinical laboratory setting
- statement of employer support
- proof of English proficiency
Additional Application Information
An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency.
Applicants must be currently employed in a lab setting performing clinical laboratory procedures. Proof of employment in a clinical laboratory setting and employer support to perform practicum assignments in the lab must be demonstrated at the time of application.
The one- to two-page statement of purpose should include the applicant's interest in the program, what they expect to learn from the program, their professional goals, and a short description of their background in the sciences.
Contact information for one reference is required. The reference is contacted via email to submit a letter of recommendation and respond to a series of questions about the applicant. The reference must be a current or former laboratory supervisor or manager, or a former professor or instructor.
Strong applicants are contacted to schedule an interview via teleconference prior to acceptance.
ASU offers this program in an online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. Applicants may view the program’s ASU Online page for program descriptions and to request more information.
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 06/15 | Priority |
| Session | Modality | Deadline | Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| Session A/C | Online | 11/15 | Priority |
Graduates are prepared to become certified cytologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains necessary to enter the profession. They additionally are prepared for a variety of career opportunities in clinical and research settings.
Sample job titles include:
- biomedical scientist
- clinical laboratory manager
- clinical research coordinator
- cytologist or cytotechnologist
- laboratory operations manager
- molecular diagnostics technologist
- quality control specialist
- research scientist
ASU programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification are intended to prepare students for potential licensure or certification in Arizona. Completion of an ASU program may not meet educational requirements for licensure or certification in another state. For more information, students should visit the ASU professional licensure webpage.
College of Health Solutions
|
HLTHN 401AA
chsgrad@asu.edu
602-496-3300
Program term definitions
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
The Western Regional Graduate Program (WRGP) provides a reduced tuition rate to non-resident graduate students who qualify. Visit the WRGP/WICHE webpage for more information: https://graduate.asu.edu/wiche.
