What is the class time commitment?
Students are in the classroom from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Monday through Friday with a one-hour break for lunch. There are no classes on Labor Day, Thanksgiving and the following Friday, the week between Christmas and New Year, Good Friday, and Memorial Day.
How big is the class?
Mercy School of Cytotechnology is accredited for four students.
What is the cost?
Tuition is $3,500 (half due in July and half due in January). Books are approximately $500.
What is the Withdrawal and Refund policy?
Tuition reimbursement is granted if the student incurs a physical handicap that incapacitates him/her as a cytotechnologist (i.e., loss of eyesight). No reimbursement is granted if the student withdraws from the program in good standing or is dismissed from the program for misconduct or academic failure. Exceptions can be made only by special decision of the school’s steering committee.
Is housing available?
Students in Mercy's schools are eligible for housing just blocks from the hospital at Mercy Court Apartments, subject to availability. The fee per semester is approximately $1,365 for a double room or $2,100 for a single room. This amount may be subject to change from year to year. There are also many apartments within easy commuting distance that range from $425/month and up.
Are foreign students accepted?
Unfortunately, the program is NOT able to accept students who are in the U.S. on Visa status. The required paperwork burden is too great for the limited staff.
Is financial aid available?
The program is NOT able to offer financial aid. Because of minimal staff, we are not able to handle the paperwork necessary for Federal Aid programs. The program IS eligible for Veteran's Benefits.
What is the level of interaction with Pathologists?
Six of the eight pathologists on staff provide lectures to the students. Three of the four cytopathologists are quite involved with lecturing, do some multi-head microscope work with the class, and make themselves available for student questions and consultation. Students often comment on how much they appreciate the willingness of our pathologists to offer their expertise.
Do the students interact with other laboratory/hospital departments?
During the program students spend a day experiencing Electron Microscopy and immunocytochemical staining, and a half-day in Flow Cytometry. They have a half-day introduction to Histology techniques. All of these are intended as basic overviews of the modality. Students often accompany Mercy's cytotechnologists as they attend Fine Needle Aspirations (FNAs) in the Radiology and Endoscopy departments. The students also tour the Radiation Therapy suite. These experiences help them to complete their picture of cancer diagnosis and treatment.
What is the graduation rate?
Of the 37 students we have admitted in the last 13 years, 33 have graduated. Four students left the program for personal or academic reasons.
What is the graduates’ success rate on the ASCP Board of Registry examination?
100% of our students have passed the BOR exam. Their combined scores place the school slightly above the national average.
What is the job placement rate?
100% of our students have taken jobs immediately after graduation. Most have had several jobs from which to choose. All but a few former students remain in the profession and are enjoying their careers.
What is unique about Mercy?
The hospital and its staff are very committed to the Mercy Mission and Values, which emphasize Compassion, Respect, Excellence, and Integrity. The School of Cytotechnology strives to conduct its training program with these values in mind.
What is unique about Mercy School of Cytotechnology?
Our accrediting agency, our former students and their employers cite these as reasons that Mercy’s training program succeeds:
- The small class size
- The dedication and availability of staff
- The interest of the pathologists and their commitment to the education quality
- Ethics
Is the training program affiliated with any colleges or universities?
Currently, Mercy School of Cytotechnology is affiliated with Iowa State University. However, agreements are in process with several other academic centers. Students who complete their junior year (and certain course requirements) at affiliated colleges and universities may attend the Cytotechnology training program as their senior year and graduate with a degree from their home institution.
Does the training program have any clinical affiliations?
Right now, there are no formal clinical affiliations with the program and other laboratories (where students would do all or part of their clinical rotation in the spring). But we are exploring these relationships with a few laboratories in the state.
