Curriculum

The program runs from August to August, spanning fall and spring semesters, and the summer term. The 2023-2024 academic year program begins with orientation activities beginning August 14, 2023, and classroom instruction beginning September 6, 2023. Summer instruction ends August 13, 2024. The program calendar includes a 2-week winter break (spanning Christmas and New Year’s holiday observances) and 1-week spring break. Our classroom is located at the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene, on Henry Mall.

Required textbooks are provided (eBook or paper).

During the fall and spring semesters, the 38-hour weeks consist of lectures, discussions, weekly written and microscopic quizzes, and approximately 25 hours of microscopy. Students complete a series of comprehensive examinations aimed at testing their knowledge of cytopathology at the end of the second term.

The summer term is devoted to supervised microscopy of clinical specimens. Students continue to develop and improve their microscopic skills and diagnostic acumen. Students also rotate through various clinical settings associated with the practice of clinical cytology, which provides practical experience in the areas of advanced laboratory procedures, quality assurance, and cytogenetics.

Advanced Placement

There is currently no option for advanced placement, or counting outside coursework toward program requirements.

Minimum Expectations

The goal of the University of Wisconsin Cytotechnology program is to prepare competent entry-level cytotechnologists in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills), and affective (behavior) learning domains. Beyond the entry-level competencies, our program additionally expects our students to achieve competence in cytogenetics, molecular testing, immunohistochemistry, laboratory management, application of primary research literature to clinical practice, and science communication.