Program Highlights
Degree Options
Associate in Applied Science (AAS)
Histotechnology is a unique, specialized and highly important area within the medical laboratory sciences. Its focus is on the preservation of tissue and the preparation of microscopic slides for use by pathologists for patient diagnosis and treatment.
These tissues may be obtained from an operating room, clinic, doctor's office, emergency room or a postmortem examination. Histotechnicians may also prepare frozen tissue sections that enable rapid diagnosis while a patient is still undergoing surgery.
SUNY Cobleskill's Histotechnician Associate in Applied Science program is a two-year, 61-credit curriculum that provides students with the academic and technical skills necessary for entry-level employment in the field of Histotechnology.
This program covers the major areas of histotechnology, including the grossing, fixation, processing, embedding, sectioning and staining of tissues. Specialized subject areas such as bone decalcification and immunohistochemistry are also discussed and are practiced in the laboratory.
Sample courses include:
Because there is currently a national shortage of trained Histotechnicians, excellent employment opportunities exist throughout the United States. Some of the job settings in which today's graduates find placements are:
As in many other professions, histotechnicians’ salaries increase as they attain certification, state Licensure, additional education and/or extensive experience. With these further credentials, our graduates’ career options often include:
Our affiliations include:
Adam N. Tegnander, HT (ASCP)cm
Program Director
518-255-5417
tegnanan@cobleskill.edu
Adam Tegnander is an Assistant Professor of Biology and the Program Director of Histotechnology at SUNY Cobleskill. He received an A.A.S. degree in Histotechnology from SUNY Cobleskill, a B.S. degree in Human Biology from SUNY Oneonta, and a M.H.S. in Pathologists' Assistant from Quinnipiac University. After a 10-year career as a practicing Pathologists' Assistant, Adam returned to Cobleskill and accepted a tenure track position at his alma mater SUNY Cobleskill. In addition to teaching, Adam is responsible for recruitment, administration, and advancement of the Histotechnician Program.
Madeline (Mickey) Hilger, HT (ASCP)
Histotechnology Education Coordinator
518-255-5464
hilgerma@cobleskill.edu
Mickey Hilger holds her A.A.S. degree in Histotechnology from SUNY Cobleskill, and then went on to earn a B.S. in Biology. She is a NYS Licensed Clinical Laboratory Technologist and is certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology. Before joining the faculty at SUNY Cobleskill, Mickey was employed by major pharmaceutical companies working as a Research Laboratory Technologist, a Research Scientist in the Department of Toxicology, and as a Clinical Laboratory Technologist in the Department of Anatomic Pathology. She serves as the clinical laboratory mentor for students enrolled in the program. She is a member of both the NYS Histotechnological Society and the National Society of Histotechnology. Her areas of expertise include Research/Clinical Histologic Technique, Laboratory Quality Assurance, Large and Small Animal Necropsy Technique and Research Toxicology.