Darton College Histologic Technology Collaborative Program

HT Collaborative Program
Pursue a Histologic Technology degree through the HT Collaborative Program. Attend professional courses online through the accredited HT program at Darton College and complete laboratory course requirements at Georgia Highlands College, Gordon College, or the Waycross College campus.

What is Histotechnology?
Histology is the art and science of preparing tissue specimens for microscopic examination by a pathologist or physician. These specimens are used to diagnose diseases, teach students, perform forensic science, and conduct research. Histotechnicians are experts in slide preparation. They freeze, cut, mount, and stain tissues with special dyes, making it possible to diagnose diseases. Histologic technicians work closely with pathologists.

Careers in Histotechnology
Histologic technicians have an unlimited choice of workplace settings. Hospitals, for-profit laboratories, clinics, public health facilities, pharmaceutical companies, business, and industry currently have positions open for qualified histologic technicians. Other opportunities are industrial research, veterinary pathology, marine biology, and forensic pathology.

Clinical Assignments
The histotechnology program provides clinical training opportunities for students with many affiliate institutions. A current list of approved affiliates is available on the program Web site. Affiliations with other institutions will be considered.

Essential Skills
To satisfactorily complete the curriculum and to develop the skills required of an entry-level histologic technician, the student must have:

• Visual acuity (with or without corrective lenses) to observe and perform technical procedures; to identify and differentiate specimens, reagents and equipment; to read laboratory manuals, procedures, policies. specimen labels and materials pertinent to professionals practice
• Physical ability to manipulate laboratory instruments and equipment in a manner consistent with operational procedures
• Manual dexterity to operate laboratory equipment and use tools in a manner consistent with operational guidelines

Technology Requirements
Students enrolling in online MLTS HT courses will need access to a computer that meets or exceeds the recommended minimum hardware requirements. See the
Darton College Distance Learning Web site for technical requirements: http://online.darton.edu/HT.

Accrediting Agency
NAACLS
8410 W. Bryn Mawr Avenue, Suite 670
Chicago, IL 60631-3415
(773) 714-8880 Fax: (773) 714-8886
http://www.naacls.org

How To Apply
Enrollment in the program through the Histotechnology Collaborative requires admission to Darton College and acceptance into the Histotechnology Program. To complete a Darton College application online, go to the Darton homepage at www.darton.edu and click the Admissions link, or call (229) 430-6740 or toll-free 1-866-775-1214 to request admissions materials.

Admission Criteria
Consideration for acceptance into Darton College s histology program will be based on the following:

• Admission to Darton College
• Completion of all required LearningSupport courses
• Completion of the Darton College Allied Health Division Immunization form and TB screening form
• Completion of algebra, chemistry and biology with a C  or higher
• Liability insurance upon enrollment in clinical internships
• Drug screen and/or criminal back ground checks may be required by a clinical laboratory affiliate.

Note: Other criteria used in student selection are prior college degree, laboratory work experience, and academic performance history.

About the HT Collaborative
The HT Program is administered through Darton College, in collaboration with Georgia Highlands College, Gordon College, and Waycross College. The collaborative provides professional course work through online classes while allowing students to take lab classes through any academic partner or approved laboratory affiliate. Core course work can be transferred in or completed through any academic partner. Students must apply for admission to the program through Darton College.

Darton College is a recognized leader in distance learning, having offered online courses since 1996. Darton College is part of the University System of Georgia.

Financial Aid
Many forms of financial aid are available to qualified applicants, including grants, scholarships, Federal Pell Grant, Federal Supplemental Education Opportunity Grant, HOPE, the Georgia Student Incentive Grant, and Institutional Scholarships. Service cancellable loans may be available to GA residents.