Mt. SAC Launches Bachelor's Degree

Mt. San Antonio College is set to offer a bachelor’s degree in histotechnology starting next fall and is currently accepting applications.

Histotechnicians prepare thin sections of human, animal and plant tissue for microscopic examination. Mt. SAC’s program trains students for employment in clinical, veterinary, forensic, marine biology, and research laboratories.

“There is a nationwide shortage of histotechnicians, and this is a high-skill, high-wage profession,” said Jennifer Mac Donald, Histotechnology professor and the program’s director. “Our students are in high demand and often get hired before completing the program.”

Mt. SAC has offered an Associate of Science degree in Histotechnology since 2001 and has seen a cumulative pass rate over 92 percent on the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Histotechnology Exam.

The college’s Bachelor of Science degree is the only one in the state and one of five in the United States. According to labor data, the average salary for individuals working in this field is similar to that of nurses.

“This new program builds on our very strong Histotechnology AS degree,” said Dr. Carmen E. Rexach, professor of Anatomy, Physiology, Microbiology and Public Health. “It’s an exciting opportunity for the college and the community.”

Students will pay $46 a unit for lower division classes and then $130 a unit for the remainder of the program. Many courses will be held in the evening or online to accommodate working professionals.

Mt. SAC joins 29 other California community colleges offering bachelor’s degrees. California community colleges can accomplish this thanks to bills passed in 2014 and 2021, and as long as a California State University or University of California campus does not offer the same degree.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Outlook Handbook projects employment of clinical laboratory technologists and technicians is projected to grow 5 percent from 2023 to 2033, about as fast as the average for all occupations. About 24,200 openings for clinical laboratory technologists and technicians are projected each year, on average, over the decade. Mt. SAC’s bachelor’s degree also prepares graduates for higher level positions in management and research, according to Mac Donald.

Many openings are expected to result from the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force, such as to retire. An increase in the population of older adults is expected to lead to a greater need for diagnosing medical conditions, such as cancer or type 2 diabetes, through laboratory procedures. Clinical laboratory technologists and technicians will be in demand to use and maintain the equipment needed for diagnosis and treatment.

Learn more about the Histotechnology program here.