{"id":5860,"date":"2020-04-22T11:05:08","date_gmt":"2020-04-22T16:05:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/alliedhealth\/?p=5860"},"modified":"2021-02-16T15:02:22","modified_gmt":"2021-02-16T21:02:22","slug":"unmc-among-few-to-offer-master-of-diagnostic-cytology","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.unmc.edu\/alliedhealth\/2020\/04\/22\/unmc-among-few-to-offer-master-of-diagnostic-cytology\/","title":{"rendered":"UNMC among few to offer Master of Diagnostic Cytology"},"content":{"rendered":"
\n

Regental approval of the\nprogram enables first class to enter in fall 2022<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The University of Nebraska Board of Regents approved Friday the\ncreation of a Master of Diagnostic Cytology program within the University of\nNebraska Medical Center College of Allied Health Professions. The change will\nbe effective with the class entering fall 2022, making UNMC only the seventh\ncytotechnology program nationwide to offer a master’s degree.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNMC currently has a postbaccalaureate certificate — the only\ncytotechnology program in Nebraska and one of 22 programs in the United States.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cytologists assist with patient procedures called fine needle\naspirations in various clinical settings and perform microscopic examinations\nof specially stained slides of patient samples for the purposes of diagnosing\ncancer, precancerous lesions, benign tumors, infectious agents and inflammatory\nprocesses.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Consider yourself a disease detective who studies the secret\nlives of cells,” said program director Amber Donnelly, Ph.D.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cytologists also assist with patient procedures called fine needle\naspirations in various clinical settings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But advances in technology and clinical best practices are driving\nthe profession to evolve. Moving cytotechnology to a master’s-level program\nwill ensure that UNMC’s graduates are competent to practice the newly outlined\ncompetencies of the profession, said Kyle Meyer, Ph.D., dean of the College of\nAllied Health Professions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Cytotechnology Program Review Committee (CPRC) of the American\nSociety of Cytopathology, the American Society for Clinical Pathology and the\nCollege of American Pathologists also strongly advocates that all programs\nnationwide move toward awarding a master’s degree as soon as feasible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In addition, the move to a master’s program better positions its\nstudents to apply for financial aid, in contrast to the limited funds available\nfor those pursuing a postbaccalaureate certificate. In informal surveys, alumni\nof UNMC’s present certificate program overwhelmingly expressed interest in also\npursuing a master’s degree at the college.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For the past 25 years, UNMC has offered a 12-month, 32 credit hour\ncytotechnology certificate program that has been continuously accredited by the\nCommission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The UNMC cytotechnology program has developed innovative education\npartnerships at eight satellite sites (see sidebar) throughout the country,\nallowing students to complete their program remotely.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Due to projected workforce demand and the program’s outstanding\nnational reputation for delivering top-quality education via distance education,\nthe number of UNMC cytotechnology students at satellite sites both within and\noutside the United States is expected to grow steadily over the next several\nyears.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Clinical education components of the curriculum will take place at\nseveral approved clinical affiliate sites, including UNMC’s clinical partner,\nNebraska Medicine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cost for the program will come from tuition and fees. No\nadditional state funds are required to create the master’s program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Remote\nlearning sites<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

UNMC has\ncollaborative agreements to remotely teach cytotechnology to students at the\nfollowing sites:<\/p>\n\n\n\n