School of Cytotechnology

The School of Cytotechnology at Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is a post-baccalaureate one-year training program in one of the top cancer centers in the country. Established in 1961, the school operates within the structure of the cytology laboratory and provides students with a wide range of technical and cytodiagnostic skills. Students process and microscopically evaluate specimens using state of the art technology such as ThinPrep®.

The School of Cytotechnology enrolls a maximum of six students each academic year, which begins in August. Tuition for the 2006-2007 academic year is $8,000. No stipends, housing accommodations or parking facilities are available.

The course begins with the study of gynecologic material, such as Pap smears, and proceeds systematically through all types of non-gynecologic material. Students gain competence in microscopy, gradually acquiring accuracy and speed, and learning principles of cell preparation and staining.

Students are instructed in cytopreparation and cytodiagnosis through lectures, demonstrations, and supervised practice. Examinations, both theoretical and practical, are given at regular intervals throughout the year.

At the conclusion of the program the student is required to have a thorough understanding of the following:

• Principles and practice of specimen collection and preparation from all body sites.
• Basic cell morphology.
• Anatomy and histology of the female genital tract, respiratory tract, urinary tract, gastrointestinal tract, body cavities, breast, salivary glands, and thyroid gland.
• The normal and abnormal cellular changes of the organ systems cited above.

Upon successful completion of the program, students demonstrating competence in both theoretical and practical aspects of the course are awarded a Certificate in Cytotechnology. Graduates are eligible to take the Board of Registry Examination, a national certifying examination given by the American Society of Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). Graduates from Memorial Sloan-Kettering's School of Cytotechnology have consistently performed well on this examination. The average examination score of our students usually falls in the top 10% of the 60 participating cytotechnology programs each year.

The minimum academic requirements for admission to the School of Cytotechnology are as follows:

• Baccalaureate degree (BA/BS) from a college or university, approved by a recognized regional accrediting body, or
• Three years of college that will culminate in a degree after completion of cytotechnology training.

All applicants must have:

• Twenty semester hours (30 quarter hours) of biological science
• Eight semester hours (12 quarter hours) of chemistry and
• Three semester hours of mathematics or statistics

All courses must be completed before the start of our program. A "B" average in biological science is strongly recommended. Recommended courses in biology include general biology, physiology, anatomy, histology, and microbiology. All candidates who apply to the School of Cytotechnology must confirm that they have met the minimum academic requirements for admission.

Evaluation of official transcript(s) from colleges and universities in the United States will be performed by the Education Coordinator and Medical Director of the School of Cytotechnology.

For graduates of foreign institutions, we will accept evaluations of foreign transcripts from the following agency only:

International Education Research Foundation, Inc.
Post Office Box 3665
Culver City, CA 90231-3665

Phone: 310-258-9451
Fax: 310-342-7086
www.ierf.org

The evaluation required must be a detailed report that provides the course breakdown, grade equivalents and grade point average (GPA). Also, the official evaluation must be sent directly to the Program from International Education Research Foundation, Inc. This will avoid any unnecessary problems and/or delays in the application process.

Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center is an equal opportunity employer. The School of Cytotechnology does not discriminate against age, sex, race, color, or religion.

The following technical standards are fundamental to the ability to function as a cytotechnologist. These standards do not preclude the use of reasonable and appropriate accommodations for qualified individuals with a disability.

• Visual acuity to examine cellular preparations (glass slides) using a light microscope
• Manual dexterity to operate the stage and focus control knobs of the light microscope when examining slides
• Ability to communicate with all levels of personnel in a professional manner
• Ability to use a computer to retrieve patient information

Career opportunities for cytotechnologists include:

• Staff positions in hospital, governmental and independent laboratories
• Supervisory positions
• Managerial positions
• Education positions
• Research positions

To date, more than 150 cytotechnologists have graduated from Memorial Sloan-Kettering's School of Cytotechnology and are currently employed in academic institutions and hospital and private laboratories across the country. Our graduates have been successful in obtaining jobs before or soon after graduation. In addition, many of our graduates have gone on to become laboratory supervisors, educators, researchers and leaders in professional organizations.

• A completed application form with a $50 non-refundable application fee payable to "Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center School of Cytotechnology."

• Official college transcript (mailed directly from your college to this School). If the applicant has attended a foreign school, a transcript evaluation must be submitted.

• Two letters of recommendation (on official letterhead), one of which should originate from a science professor.

• If you are selected for an interview, we will contact you to arrange an appointment.

For further information, please contact:
School of Cytotechnology
Cytology Service
Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center
1275 York Avenue
New York, NY 10065

Telephone 212-639-5903

This application is provided in Portable Document Format. You'll need the Adobe Acrobat Reader (available as freeware) to view and print it.

The School is accredited by the American Medical Association's Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs and certified by the American Society of Cytopathology.

Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP)
1361 Park Street
Clearwater, FL 33756
Phone: 727-210-2350
Fax: 727-210-2354

American Society of Cytopathology
400 West 9th Street
Suite 201
Wilmington, DE 19801
312-429-8802