Mission Statement

The mission of the Cytotechnology Program at Stony Brook University is to provide students with the highest quality education in order to help them become successful in their chosen profession.

The Profession of Cytotechnology

Cytotechnology is a laboratory science which utilizes morphologic and biochemical analyses of human cellular material in the evaluation of disease processes. Most of this analysis takes place by means of microscopy, and cytotechnologists are the health care professionals who are skilled in examining human cellular material in search of abnormalities that are the warning signs of cancer. They perform a variety of diagnostic and research procedures in the cytology laboratory including basic cytologic examinations, staining and processing cell specimens which have been removed by non-invasive techniques or fine needle aspiration. The cytotechnologist is capable of developing a differential diagnosis based upon cellular evidence in conjunction with pertinent cognitive knowledge and other clinical data.

Primarily, the Cytotechnologist works independently; the process requires patience and thoroughness. Above all, the Cytotechnologist must find satisfaction in making those decisions that will affect the course of a patient's treatment. It is one of the helping professions where fulfillment comes from playing a critical role in saving people’s lives.

The Cytotechnology Program at Stony Brook integrates basic cytology and practical experience. It starts in the classroom with lectures and microscopy work in the training laboratory, moves to experience in all aspects of the University Cytopathology teaching laboratory, and finally to several full-time rotations through specially designated clinical affiliate laboratories. This program thus provides required theory and ample practice in a variety of clinical settings.