Program Overview
MS in Cytology Program
The MS in Cytology program is designed to prepare cytologists who are competent in the cognitive, psychomotor, and affective learning domains to enter the profession. Cytologists are responsible for the study and evaluation of human cells sampled from all organs and body fluids, detecting and interpreting features representative of malignant and non-malignant diseases.
Program Options
- 3+2 BS/MS Dual Degree (East Falls): Undergraduate students in the Health Sciences Pre-MLSB track at Jefferson's East Falls Campus complete three years on-site before transferring to the Center City Campus for years four and five to finish the BS in Health Sciences (Cytology concentration) and transition directly into the professional phase of the MS in Cytology program.
- 1-Year MS: Designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, this intensive one-year (3 consecutive semesters) MS in Cytology program prepares graduates for advanced roles in diagnostic cytopathology.
- 2-Year MS: Designed for students who already hold a bachelor's degree, this comprehensive two-year (4 semesters) MS in Cytology program is ideal for students seeking a more traditional pace that prepares graduates for advanced roles in diagnostic cytopathology.
Curriculum
The curriculum for Cytology varies based on the program option chosen.
Cytology Outcomes Summary
Graduated Cohort | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | Avg.
---|---|---|---|---
External Certification Pass Rate | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100%
External Certification First Attempt Only
| 80% | 67% | 90% | 79%
Graduation Rate | 83.3% | 100% | 90% | 91%
Attrition Rate | 16.7% | 0% | 10% | 8.9%
Graduate Placement Rate | 100% | 100% | 100% | 100%
Accreditation
Thomas Jefferson University's Cytology Program is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (CAAHEP), upon the recommendation of the Cytology Programs Review Committee (CPRC), which promotes and advances the quality of educational programs for cytology.
Program Details
- College: College of Health Professions
- Degree: Master of Science
- Campus: Center City
- Format: On Campus
- Duration: 1 - 2 Years
- Enrollment Options: Full Time
Note
As of May 2025, to comply with the updated terminology of the professional standards and guidelines, the title of the program in Cytotechnology & Cell Sciences has been changed to the program in Cytology. In addition to the program name change, the program language includes updates that now read "Cytologists" and "Cytology" in place of "Cytotechnologists" and "Cytotechnology." These updates reflect compliance with current terminology only and do not correlate with any specific changes to program degree options or curriculum.