Inova Histology Program: Admissions & Application Process

Academic Requirements

Histotechnician (HT) Program:

All applicants must have an Associate’s Degree or greater from a regionally accredited college/university, with mathematics and a combination of 12 semester hours (18 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both).

Applicants with International degrees must have their transcripts verified via an ASCP Acceptable Evaluation Agency for US Associate’s Degree equivalency.

Science coursework must be completed within 7 years prior to enrollment.

Histotechnologist (HTL) Program:

All applicants must be/have either:

Current university students enrolled in a qualifying medical technology, medical laboratory science or clinical lab science program who will attend our program full-time to complete the final year of their degree (3+1 option).
Those who have already earned an approved Bachelor's degree and wish to pursue the HTL certification (4+1 option).
Mathematics and a combination of 30 semester hours (45 quarter hours) of biology and chemistry (must include credit hours in both).
Applicants with International degrees must have their transcripts verified via an ASCP Acceptable Evaluation Agency for US Associate’s Degree equivalency.
Science coursework must be completed within 7 years prior to enrollment.

GPA Requirement

The applicant must possess at least a 2.5 GPA cumulative from all colleges/universities attended and at least a 2.5 GPA in the sciences which is calculated from the required biology and chemistry courses.

Non-Academic Requirements for Admission

Personal qualifications

Personal qualifications for a career in Histopathology include an interest in science and medicine, analytical thinking, problem-solving skills and a genuine desire to help others. Other requirements include good communication skills, good judgment, a sense of personal responsibility and the ability to work cooperatively with others.

In addition, good general health, endurance, and a willingness to work long hours, both in school and on the job, are essential.

Application Process

Applicants must submit the following:

A completed application form. Incomplete applications will not be processed.
The $50 non-refundable application fee. Online payment, checks or money orders accepted. (For checks or money orders, make the check or money order payable to "Inova Histology Program" and write “Code 135512519” on the memo line.)
The official college transcripts from each college/university attended.
Three letters of recommendation with a minimum of two from current or previous faculty, and one from an employer or individual familiar with the applicant's character. Recommendation letters must be sent directly from the reference source to the Inova Histology Program or emailed to the program coordinator at Nicholas.Hoo-fatt@inova.org.
Applicants whose primary language is not English must submit results from the Test of English as a Foreign Language Internet-based test (TOEFL iBT). Learn more about the exam and register online on the Educational Testing Service website.
Applicants who completed their education training outside the U.S. must have their educational transcripts evaluated for U.S. equivalency by an accredited credential evaluation service company prior to submission. The applicant pays for the examination and credential evaluation services. The official transcript evaluation must be sent directly from the official credential evaluation source to the Inova Histology Program at 2832 Juniper St, Fairfax, VA 22031.
Students accepted into the Inova Histology Program are considered employees of the Inova Hospital; therefore, applicants must be eligible to work in the United States.
Acknowledgement of the Essential Functions contained within the Application for Admission.

Interviews, Acceptance, Tuition Policies

Interviews and Acceptance

After reviewing the applications, the program’s Admissions Committee will select applicants to be interviewed. Only those applicants whose application files are complete will be considered for an interview. Interviews are conducted in the month of March. Applicants are selected based on a point system which takes into consideration the following: overall GPA which is calculated by looking at the GPA across all institutions where an applicant has earned credit, science GPA which is calculated by looking at only those courses required for admission, college major, affiliate status which is determined by whether or not an applicant is a student or graduate of one of our academic affiliates, relevant coursework, incidence of course repeats and withdrawals, strength of recommendation letters, interview performance, motivation/interest, work experience, communication skills/etiquette, ability to follow directions, and overall knowledge and understanding of the profession.

The information obtained during the interview process will be examined and applicants are then chosen for enrollment in the program for that year. Applicants are evaluated without regard for gender, age, race, color, creed, religion, pregnancy, or related medical conditions, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. Applicants selected are notified of their admission status via phone, an email and a follow-up letter. Notification of acceptance letters requires a response within 2 weeks of the date of the letter. If the student decides to accept the position within the program they must sign enrollment agreement and submit an acceptance letter along with a $100 tuition deposit to reserve their position. The entire fee is applied toward tuition.

Admission is contingent on applicant evaluation and drug screening conducted by an Inova Team Member Health Office, as well as clearance by Inova Human Resources to include a criminal background check. Evaluation and clearance by Inova’s Team Member Health and Human Resources offices must take place no later than one month prior to the start date of the program. Failure to satisfactorily complete these evaluations by this deadline will result in revocation of the conditional admission. In such a case, the applicant must reapply in the next admission cycle to be considered for future acceptance.

Admission may be conditional on completion of pre-requisite coursework. Satisfactory completion of this coursework must be documented by official transcript at least 1 month prior to the start of the program. Failure to satisfactorily complete or provide evidence of completion by this deadline will result in revocation of the conditional admission. In such a case, the applicant must reapply in the next admission cycle to be considered for future acceptance.

Tuition and Refund Policy

Tuition and Fees

NOTE: For application and tuition payments, you may use our online payment system; checks or money orders are also accepted. (For checks or money orders, make the check or money order payable to "Inova Histology Program" and write “Code 135512519” on the memo line.)

Application fee of $50 (non-refundable).

Tuition for the program is $6,000 and is paid according to the following schedule:

$100 tuition deposit, due upon signing of the enrollment agreement
$1,475 due on the first day of class
$1,475 due on the first day of the second quartile
$1,475 due on the first day of the third quartile
$1,475 due on the first day of the fourth quartile

A 14-day grace period from the date each payment is due will be granted. After the grace period, a late penalty of $20 a day will be charged for a maximum of 7 days. Students are responsible for fulfilling all financial obligations to Histology. Students who do not meet their financial responsibilities are subject to withdrawal from school.

Refund Policy

An enrolled student is a person who has been offered a position in the program and has paid the $100 tuition deposit and signed the enrollment agreement. Once the agreement and fee has been returned, the enrolled student has three business days to cancel their enrollment for a full refund of the tuition deposit. If the student decides to cancel their enrollment within the month prior to the start date they will not be entitled to a refund of the tuition deposit.

A student who begins the program but withdraws or is dismissed during the first quartile (25%) of the program is entitled to receive a refund 50% of the paid tuition
A student who starts the program but withdraws or is dismissed after completing second quartile (more than 25% but less than 50%) of the program is entitled to receive a refund 25% of the paid tuition
A student who starts the program but withdraws or is dismissed after completing third quartile (more than 50%) of the program is not entitled to a refund

If a student chooses to withdraw, they must submit a formal written notice to include the expected last date of attendance and be signed by the student. In the absence of a formal written notice, the withdrawal is defined as fourteen calendar days after the student’s last day of attendance. If a student is in any way financially indebted to Inova Histology Program, the student will not be able to graduate which includes the graduation ceremony and certification exam eligibility.

Reimbursement of Board Exam Fee

Upon successful completion of the program, each student will have their Board Exam fee paid for by Inova. (This applies only to the first exam attempt.)

Essential Functions for Admission

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences requires Inova Histology Program to publish the essential functions of the program. This information is to be used to become aware and informed of the skills required in the performance of the duties of a Histotechnician and to assess your ability to complete such duties. These essential requirements reflect performance abilities and characteristics that are necessary to successfully complete the requirements of Inova Histology Program. These standards are not conditions of admission to the program. Prior to admission each student must agree that they can, and are prepared to meet these requirements with or without reasonable accommodation.

Inova Histology Program is an equal opportunity employer. Inova Laboratories and its program does not discriminate on the basis of gender, age, race, color, creed, religion, pregnancy, or related medical conditions, marital status, national origin, mental or physical disability or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.

The Program will provide reasonable accommodations to otherwise qualified students with disabilities.

The following is a list of the required technical abilities and skills:

1. Manual Dexterity

Students must:

Be able to manipulate objects precisely and perform assays that require fine or gross motor skills using good eye-hand physical coordination.
Be able to handle flammable and hazardous chemicals, electrical and infectious biological materials.
Be able to reach instruments, bench tops, and equipment to perform duties adequately.
Be able to carry objects weighing up to 20 pounds and have the stamina to perform academic program functions over an 8 hour day including standing or sitting.
Be able to maneuver freely in the laboratory setting.

2. Vision

Students must:

Be able to distinguish colors, hue, shading or intensity and clarity.
Be able to use a microscope to read biological material and identify fine structural differences and color.
Be able to read and interpret charts, graphs, and labels in print and video monitor.

3. Communication Skills

Students must:

Be able to communicate in English, both verbally and in writing to all staff, team members, students, patients and other healthcare workers.

4. Intellectual and Critical Thinking Skills

Students must:

Be able to judge, comprehend, make calculations, analyze and perform complex interpretative testing.
Be able to solve problems and apply critical thinking under normal and stressful situations.

5. Ethical Standards

Students must:

Exercise ethical judgement, integrity, honesty, dependability, patient confidentiality and adhere to the academic and professional code of ethics.

6. Safety

Students must:

Be able to recognize and respond to safety issues, including recognizing emergency situations and taking appropriate actions.
Be able to adhere to the regulations of accrediting agencies, comply with safety regulations of the laboratory and maintain a safe environment for themselves and others.

Contact the Inova Histology Program

Myong "Lucy" Nam, MD
Program Medical Director

Nicholas Hoo-Fatt, MS, HTL(ASCP), DP
Program Coordinator
703-645-6128

histologyprogram@inova.org

Non-Discriminatory Policy

Inova Histology Program does not and shall not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion (creed), gender, gender expression, age, national origin (ancestry), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, or military status, in any of its activities or operations.