FAQs
Q: Is cytotechnology right for me?
A: Cytotechnology may be the career you’ve been looking for if you’re interested in working in the medical field as a laboratory professional who does not have direct patient contact.
Q: What is cytology?
A: Cytology is the study of individual cells to detect abnormal cells. Used extensively to diagnose cancer, cytology is also used in screening for fetal abnormalities and in diagnosing infectious organisms.
Q: What does a cytotechnologist do?
A: A cytotechnologist is a highly skilled laboratory professional who studies cells microscopically. Visit our Career Opportunities page to learn more.
Q: How are cytology specimens collected?
A: The cells to be examined may be obtained by:
- scraping the tissue surface,
- collecting body fluids or washings or
- fine-needle aspirations (removing cells by drawing them through a fine needle).
Q: What is the class time commitment for the professional phase of the program?
A: Students are in the classroom from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. There are a few vacation days but no semester breaks. The program does not follow the typical university calendar. Vacation days include the 4th of July, Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the following Friday, Christmas Day, New Year’s Day, Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday, Mardi Gras and Good Friday.
Q: What is the cost of the professional phase?
A: The professional program is three full-time semesters and two intersessions at Nicholls. For specific tuition and fee totals visit the University Fees Web site. Books are approximately $500.
Q: Is financial aid available?
A: The cytotechnology program itself is not able to provide financial aid, but students can apply through the university for student loans, scholarships and grants. Visit the Office of Financial Aid for more information. Scholarship information and applications from the American Society of Cytopathology and the American Society for Clinical Pathology are available to students.
Q: What is the graduation rate of your program?
A: 91 percent of the students who have been accepted into the professional program have successfully graduated.
Q: What is the success rate of your graduates on the ASCP Board of Registry Examination?
A: 98 percent of our students have passed the BOR exam.
Q: How will I find a job?
A: The Nicholls faculty works with graduates to find job openings in their preferred area of the country. Numerous publications and journals containing job listings are readily made available to students throughout the program. The program director also receives faxs and letters from employers inquiring about our graduates throughout the year. These are also made available to students.
Q: What is unique about the Nicholls cytotechnology program?
A: Nicholls has the only accredited cytotechnology program in the state of Louisiana and is one of only 43 cytology schools nationwide. The program is a partnership between Nicholls and Terrebonne General Medical Center. We provide students with abundant resources, clinical experiences and constant interaction with the instructors, pathologists and other associated hospital and university staff.
Q: Does the program have any clinical affiliations?
A: The program has seven clinical affiliate institutions which include rural and urban hospitals and private laboratories. The clinical affiliate sites are located in Houma, New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette and Alexandria. Students must provide their own transportation to the clinical affiliate sites.
Q: Where are cytotechnology classes held?
A: Classes are held at the Theodore “Teddy” Duhe’ Building for Allied Health Sciences at 235 Civic Center Boulevard in Houma, La.
Q: How do cytotechnologists make a difference?
A: It’s a medical fact that cancer can be caught. Cytotechnologists do it every day.