Cytotechnology
Cytotechnology is an advanced allied health career which prepares students to use specialized equipment to study cells for detecting cancer, hormonal abnormalities and other pathological disease processes. Individuals entering this curriculum must have earned a bachelor’s degree with a concentration in the biological sciences.
Course work includes entry-level knowledge and skills in cell collection and preparation and microscopic use to interpret specimens. Graduates work in conjunction with pathologists to perform special diagnostic procedures.
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates receive a certificate in cytotechnology and are eligible to take the National Board of Certification Examination of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Cytotechnologists may find employment in hospital and university laboratories, private laboratories, private companies and research facilities.
For specific information about potential positions and wages in cytotechnology employment, visit the Central Piedmont Career Coach website.
Cytotechnology (C45220)
Certificate Awarded
A Certificate in Cytotechnology is awarded by the college upon successful completion of the program.
Admissions
All students wishing to apply to the Cytotechnology Program must have completed prior to admission:
- A Bachelors degree from an accredited college or university that includes:
Biology: 20 semester hours
Chemistry: 8 semester hours
Mathematics: 3 semester hours
- Applicants must have an overall 2.75 GPA to be eligible to apply to the program. To be strongly considered for acceptance, a minimum science GPA of 3.0 is highly recommended.
- Complete a general admissions application to Central Piedmont
- Complete the Letter of Intent for the Cytotechnology Program
- Send all prior college transcripts to Academic Advisor
- Two letters of recommendation to the Academic Advisor from previous science professors or employers
- An interview with the Cytotechnology Program Faculty.
International Students also must submit:
- Scores from both the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) prior to the application deadline.
- Transcript evaluation for course work completed outside the U.S. from an agency approved by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. A list of these agencies found on the ASCP website.
- NOTE: The Cytotechnology program cannot accept F1 Visa students, as it is a certificate only program.
Notes
The Cytotechnology program is a full-time, 12-month program that begins fall semester of each year. Progression in the program is dependent on satisfying course prerequisites, co-requisites and meeting minimal levels of performance for each course. Graduates of this program may apply to take the ASCP Board of Certification Exam in Cytology.
The Cytotechnology program at Central Piedmont is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP) on recommendation of the Cytotechnology Programs Review Committee (CPRC) of the American Society of Cytopathology (ASC).
CAAHEP
19355 - 113th St. N, #7709
Seminole, FL 33775
727.210.2350
caahep.org
In addition to tuition and textbooks, costs of the program include the following: uniforms, lab coat, physical examination including immunizations, clinical travel and housing costs and registration fee for the Board of Certification Examination.
In order to participate in clinical education experiences at health care facilities, students are required to submit results of a NC state or national criminal background check at their own expense. As a condition of program admission, students may be required to verify that they are United States citizens or are otherwise legally authorized residents of the United States.
Contact Information
For more information, visit the Cytotechnology website. For further assistance, contact the Program Chair at 704.330.6283.
| Major Requirements | ||
| CYT 210 | Introduction to Clinical Cytology | 4.0 |
| CYT 212 | Introduction to Cyto Techniques | 4.0 |
| CYT 214 | Gynecological Cytology | 14.0 |
| CYT 216 | Clinical and Diagnostic Interpretation I | 4.0 |
| CYT 220 | Non-Gynecological Cytology | 12.0 |
| CYT 222 | Cytopreparation Techniques | 2.0 |
| CYT 224 | Gynecological Cytology Clinical Practicum I | 4.0 |
| CYT 226 | Clinical and Diagnostic Interpretation II | 4.0 |
| CYT 230 | Non-Gynecological Cytology Clinical Practicum | 2.0 |
| CYT 232 | Clinical Cytology Practicum | 1.0 |
| CYT 234 | Gynecological Cytology Clinical Practicum II | 3.0 |
| CYT 236 | Cytology Literature Review | 1.0 |
| CYT 238 | Ancillary Studies in Cytopathology | 2.0 |
| Total Credits | 57 | |
Cytotechnology Suggested Course Sequence
The following is the suggested sequence for when to take each course to complete the Cytotechnology certificate, based on the program requirements of the 2024-2025 catalog. This is only a recommendation — you may take courses in another order if you need to. This sequence is based on you starting with college-level math and English courses, starting your program in the fall, and attending full-time. You can also follow this sequence if you attend part-time. Speak with an advisor about the sequence and any questions. Visit the catalog or contact the program for details.
| Term I | Credits | |
|---|---|---|
| CYT 210 | Introduction to Clinical Cytology | 4.0 |
| CYT 212 | Introduction to Cyto Techniques | 4.0 |
| CYT 214 | Gynecological Cytology | 14.0 |
| CYT 216 | Clinical and Diagnostic Interpretation I | 4.0 |
| CYT 222 | Cytopreparation Techniques | 2.0 |
| Credits | 28 | |
| Term II | ||
| CYT 220 | Non-Gynecological Cytology | 12.0 |
| CYT 224 | Gynecological Cytology Clinical Practicum I | 4.0 |
| CYT 226 | Clinical and Diagnostic Interpretation II | 4.0 |
| CYT 236 | Cytology Literature Review | 1.0 |
| CYT 238 | Ancillary Studies in Cytopathology | 2.0 |
| Credits | 23 | |
| Term III | ||
| CYT 230 | Non-Gynecological Cytology Clinical Practicum | 2.0 |
| CYT 232 | Clinical Cytology Practicum | 1.0 |
| CYT 234 | Gynecological Cytology Clinical Practicum II | 3.0 |
| Credits | 6 | |
| Total Credits | 57 | |