Admission Policy

Applicants must meet all of the following requirements in order to qualify for admission to the OSF School of Histotechnology. Admission is competitive with a maximum of 2-4 student positions available annually. Individuals are encouraged to contact the program director with questions regarding admission eligibility.

Admission Requirements

Minimum 2.50 cumulative grade point average on a 4.0 scale
Associate Degree is required, to include the following prerequisites:
- A minimum of 22 semester hours (or equivalent) of college coursework, to include these prerequisites:
  - Biology: a minimum of 8 semester hours in Biological Sciences, to include:
    - Human Anatomy & Physiology
    - Microbiology course with lab component
  - Chemistry: a minimum of 8 semester hours in Chemistry, to include:
    - Principles of Chemistry II or General Chemistry I
    - Principles of Chemistry II or General Chemistry II
    - Two courses must include a lab component
  - Mathematics: a minimum of three semester hours in Mathematics, to include:
    - Algebra
  - Communications: a minimum of three semester hours in college-level English, to include:
    - Composition
  - Applicants should contact the school office immediately for additional information and procedures if they feel any of the requirements may pertain to their admission status. Failure to meet these requirements by the application deadline will jeopardize an applicant's consideration for admission.
  - Biology and/or Chemistry courses must be updated if the most recent courses were complete 7 or more years prior to the planned admission date.
  - TOEFL scores (Test of English as Foreign Language) must be submitted if English is not the applicant's native language, regardless of citizenship or visa status.

A transcript evaluation, with grades and credit hours described in U.S. equivalents, must be submitted for any college credits from a non-U.S. institution that will be used to meet any of the admission requirements.

How to Apply

The applicant must submit the following materials (contact the school for information regarding the application deadline):

A completed application form
$50 application processing fee
Official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended, including junior or community colleges. All transcripts must be sent directly from the school to the OSF Histotechnology program; student-issued copies cannot be accepted.
Completed reference forms (three separate references are required with your application) from two college science instructors; one in biology and one in chemistry. Ideally these are professors who have worked with the student in a laboratory science environment. Additional refer(s) required from the applicant's college adviser or work supervisor, if currently employed in a lab.

The program will invite qualified applicants to schedule an interview only after the application and all transcripts have been received. Applicants are encouraged to submit these as early as possible in order to have a choice of interview dates. Application deadline is May 31st.

Mail the completed documents to:

Ashley Jobst MSHA, MLS (ASCP)CM
Program Director
530 NE Glen Oak Avenue
Peoria, Illinois 61637

Histotechnology Application Form(PDF - 117.6 KB)

Histotechnology Reference Form(PDF - 188.4 KB)

Other Notes

All applicants who meet the specified admission requirements and have completed the application process will be considered for admission to the OSF School of Histotechnology.

The selection committee, comprised of program officials and faculty, will review all application materials and rank the applicants on the basis of the types of courses taken (including withdrawals and repeats), grades, extracurricular activities, letters of reference, the interview and the written statement on knowledge of the profession and personal goals.

Additional ranking points are awarded to veterans, and those with relevant laboratory work experience. Students will be notified of acceptance decisions in June, prior to the fall start of classes.

OSF HealthCare Saint Francis Medical Center and the OSF School of Histotechnology admit students, select faculty and conduct academic and extra-curricular programs in compliance with all federal and state regulations.

Individuals who believe they are the subject of discriminatory practices by any representative of the medical center are encouraged to contact the school administration.