Histotechnology Degree Program Requirements

Completing the following steps is required for admission into the Histotechnology program.

• Apply with ECC - how to apply
• Meet with an ECC academic advisor to develop a course plan.
• Provide official transcripts from the High School diploma or HS equivalency, and college or university you have attended to the ECC Records Department.  

You must submit a request for the formal evaluation of your college course transcript at ECC.

• You must submit proof of high school diploma or high school equivalency
• Request an official evaluation of prior high school, high school equivalency and/or college transcripts.
• Review Histotechnology AAS Degree admission policies
• Completed all General education prerequisites courses, including: BIO 110 or BIO 113 or equivalent, MTH 097 or equivalent, and MTH 098 or MTH 099 or equivalent, within the past 10 years with a grade of C or better.
• Complete and submit your health professions application  by March 15, the annual application deadline for the following fall admission.
• Attend a HST Program mandatory information session online by March 15, the annual application deadline for the following Fall admission.

Please note: You must be 18 or older to sit for the National American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP) Certification Examination. 
If you have any general questions about the application process, please contact the program director, Jennifer Lichamer, jlichamer@elgin.edu or 847-214-7322. 
If you have questions about submitting college transcripts, please contact the Records Department. To transfer college credit to ECC, please submit your admission application before requesting this transfer. Please note that it is the student’s responsibility to request official transcripts from all schools, colleges, universities, and the military and contact records@elgin.edu or 847-214-7386 to confirm receipt of all transcripts before requesting the evaluation. 

Admissions Procedures

The application deadline is March 15.  

The Histotechnology Program uses a competitive admission procedure. Fifteen (15) students are admitted each Fall semester. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all admission materials are submitted by the deadline and that all admission requirements have been met. The application deadline is March 15 for applicants requesting consideration for the Fall semester. If March 15 falls on a weekend, application materials are due the Friday before that date. If space remains available in the program, a second wave of applications will be considered for applications received between March 16 and June 1, if indicated. Incomplete applications will not be screened. Applications will be ranked according to the following criteria: 

Clinical Lab Technology AAS Degree Prerequisites 

1. Grade of C or better in BIO 110 or BIO 113 or transfer credit equivalent to BIO 110 or BIO 113 (completed within the past 10 years)

A = 9 pts, B = 6 pts, C = 3 pts, D or below, or Not Attempted = 0 pts

2. Grade of C or better in MTH 097 or transfer credit equivalent or satisfaction of other placement criteria (completed within the past 10 years)

A = 9 pts, B = 6 pts, C = 3 pts, D or below, or Not Attempted = 0 pts

3. Grade of C or better in MTH 098 or MTH 099 or transfer credit equivalent or satisfaction of other placement criteria (completed within the past 10 years)

A = 9 pts, B = 6 pts, C = 3 pts, D or below, or Not Attempted = 0 pts

4. Proof of HS diploma or HS equivalency (10 points)

Completed = 10 pts, Not completed = 0 pts

5. Attended HST information session (10 points)

Completed = 10 pts, Not completed = 0 pts

6. Met with academic advisor (10 points)

Completed = 10 pts, Not completed = 0 pts

Note: Students who have completed HST AAS Degree corequisite coursework listed below will earn extra points toward their admission score. Any courses Not Attempted before admission into the HST AAS Degree program must be completed with grades of C or better while enrolled in the HST AAS Degree program. Students are permitted to apply to the HST AAS Degree program while currently enrolled in any final prerequisite courses, provided that all prerequisite courses will be completed in the semester of the application deadline (spring). Any courses that are currently in progress at the application deadline will be scored with the points awarded for a “C” for that course, without exception. Failure to pass an in progress prerequisite course will void admission to the HST AAS Degree program and the student will need to reapply for the next cycle of the program. 

Additional HST AAS Degree Program Corequisite Courses 

Grade of C or better in BIO 240 or BIO 245 or equivalent (within the last 10 years) 

A = 9 pts, B = 6pts, C = 3pts, Not Attempted = 0pts 

Grade of C or better in HPE 112 or equivalent 

A = 5pts, B = 3pts, C = 1pt, Not Attempted = 0pts 

Grade of C or better in ENG 101 or equivalent 

A = 5pts, B = 3pts, C = 1 pt, Not Attempted = 0pts 

Grade of C or better in CHM 112 or equivalent (within the last 10 years) 

A = 5pts, B = 3pts, C = 1 pt, Not Attempted = 0pts 

Grade of C or better in CMS 210 or equivalent (within the last 10 years) 

A = 5pts, B = 3pts, C = 1 pt, Not Attempted = 0pts 

• HST AAS Degree Program Prerequisites _____ / Total Points Possible (27)
• Proof of HS diploma/equivalency, attendance at information session, met with academic advisor _____/Total Points Possible (30)
• Additional Corequisite Courses HST AAS Degree Program Courses _____/ Total Points Possible (29)
• HST AAS Degree Program Prerequisite Courses, Additional HST AAS Degree Program Courses and Proof of HS diploma/equivalency, attendance at information session, met with academic advisor _____/86 Total Points Possible 

Admission Notes

HST AAS admission screenings will occur after the March 15 (and June 1 if indicated) deadlines. The screening process takes approximately six (6) weeks. Students will be notified of their status (admitted, waiting list, or requirements incomplete/not admitted) via email after the screening is complete. The following policies also apply: 

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to meet all requirements and ensure that all documentation is on file.
• Accepted applicants must be 18 years of age before the fourth semester of the program.
• All correspondence regarding enrollment applications will be emailed to the ECC email address.
• Applicants should be aware that it may take up to several weeks for the College to receive transcript(s) from the sending institution(s).
• Official transcripts will be evaluated as they are received; applicants must request the formal evaluation.
• Qualified applicants not selected may be placed on the waitlist.
• It is very important that you make financial aid preparations well in advance of any deadlines so that you know exactly what resources are available to you.
• Students must provide their own uniforms and transportation to and from all clinical sites.  
• Students must submit medical forms and required titers, tests, and immunizations, health insurance, and complete the drug testing and criminal background check through the CastleBranch system within 30 days before the first day of the Histotechnology AAS Degree clinical practicum. Students demonstrating a positive drug test will be denied admission/dismissed from the HST AAS Degree program. Students demonstrating a positive background check may not be allowed to remain in the program or may be dismissed from the HST AAS Degree Program based on the background check results. Students demonstrating a positive background check or annual drug test while enrolled in the HST AAS Degree program may be dismissed.
• To complete the program, students must achieve a grade of “C” or better in all discipline specific and general education courses.
• The most recent version of the HST student handbook outlines additional student policies.  
• This handbook is available on the HST website. Histotechnology | Elgin Community College (ECC)
• Students are required to attend a mandatory orientation before the program begins.
• If you have any questions regarding the process, please do not hesitate to reach out to the Histotechnology PD, Jennifer Lichamer, jlichamer@elgin.edu or 847-214-7322. 

Admission Screening Procedures

The Histotechnology Program uses a competitive admission procedure. Fifteen (15) students are admitted each Fall semester. Applicants are responsible for ensuring that all admission materials are submitted by the deadline and that all admission requirements have been met. The application deadline is March 15 for applicants requesting consideration for the Fall semester. If March 15 falls on a weekend, application materials are due the Friday before that date. If space remains available in the program, a second wave of applications will be considered for applications received between March 16 and June 1, if indicated. Incomplete applications will not be screened.

Special Admission Requirements

Criminal background checks and drug testing are required of all health professions students. Students demonstrating a positive background check or drug test will be denied admission to health professions programs. Students demonstrating a positive background check or drug test while enrolled in health professions courses will be dismissed from the program.

Program Requirements

Students must complete all required courses with a minimum grade of C. Prior biology, chemistry, and mathematics credits must have been earned within the last 10 years. A completed medical form and proof of health insurance must be on file prior to beginning clinical practicums. Students must provide their own uniforms and transportation to and from all clinical sites.

Graduation Requirements

It is the responsibility of the student to know and fulfill all degree/certificate academic requirements and graduation procedures.

Note: Health professions programs require criminal background checks, drug testing, and specific medical requirements, including updated vaccinations. Students who demonstrate a positive background check or positive drug test will be denied admission to health professions programs. Students who demonstrate a positive background check or positive drug test while enrolled in health professions programs will be dismissed.