Curriculum, Calendar and Clinical Rotation

Curriculum, Academic Calendar and Clinical Rotation

northwestern-medicine-histotechnology-image-5
Curriculum Overview

Our 12-month (49 instructional weeks) competency-based curriculum is designed to prepare you for excellence in the field of histotechnology by integrating clinical and didactic learning. Courses are divided into two semesters and sequenced as outlined below.

The curriculum is intended to help you follow the flow of the specimen from when it is received in the Gross Room to diagnostic tests. As you progress through the curriculum, you will continue to build knowledge through more advanced coursework and participate in intensified clinical training.

Academic Calendar

Semester I
  • Introduction to Histotechnology
  • Fixation/Gross Pathology
  • Embedding/Processing (Embedding extends into Semester II)
  • Microtomy/Instrumentation (Microtomy extends into Semester II)
  • Routine Staining/Quality Control
  • Laboratory Management
  • Microanatomy
Semester II
  • Special Stains
  • Electron Microscopy
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Seminar- Education and Research
  • Immunofluorescence/Enzymehistochemistry/In-Situ Hybridization
  • Process Improvement (Self Study)
  • Clinical Rotations

Note: Final course sequence may be subject to change

Clinical Rotations

Clinical rotations start at the end of April, during the second semester, and continue throughout the remainder of the program. All assigned clinical rotations take place at Northwestern Memorial Hospital in downtown Chicago.

Program Grading Scale

The Histotechnology program uses the following grading scale for didactic and clinical courses:

Letter Grade Course Final Average
A 100% – 90%
B 89.9% – 80%
C 79.9% – 70%;
D 69.9% – 60%
F Below 60%

Satisfactory Academic Progress

The Histotechnology Program requires that all students maintain satisfactory academic progress (SAP) throughout enrollment. A student maintains SAP if their cumulative (overall) and current (most recent term) grade point averages are 2.0 or better.

A student must also:

  • Achieve a final course grade of 70% in all didactic and clinical courses
  • Follow the clinical competency plan per the course syllabi
  • Maintain satisfactory performance pace (completion of all attempted courses)
  • Comply with all program policies found in the catalog and in the student handbook

The program will monitor student performance throughout clinical and didactic activities. A grade for each course will be issued at the end of the term.

Program Hours

This is a full-time program with on-site attendance required at Northwestern Memorial Hospital’s Chicago campus. Program hours are from 8 am to 4 pm, Monday through Friday. Hours will vary on certain clinical rotations during the second semester.

Program activities will not be scheduled on weekends, overnight shifts or the following dates:

  • Labor Day: September 4, 2023
  • Thanksgiving Break: November 22 through 24, 2023
  • Holiday Break: December 24 through 26, 2023
  • New Year’s Break: December 31, 2023, through January 2, 2024
  • Roosevelt University Graduation: May 3, 2024
  • Memorial Day: May 27, 2024
  • Independence Day: July 4, 2024

Every year, the program begins in late August and continues for 12 consecutive months, with graduation in August of the next year.

Program Delivery

The Histotechnology program uses a traditional, residential format.