A process for fabricating a memory cell in a two-bit EEPROM device including forming an ONO layer overlying a semiconductor substrate, depositing a hard mask overlying the ONO layer, and patterning the hard mask. The hard mask is made from tungsten, titanium, or titanium nitride. The process further includes doping the semiconductor substrate with boron causing p-type regions to form in the semiconductor substrate, and doping the semiconductor substrate with n-type dopants, such as arsenic, causing n-type regions to form in the semiconductor substrate. The exposed ONO layer is then etched to expose part of the semiconductor substrate, and a bit-line oxide region is formed overlying the semiconductor substrate. The hard mask is then stripped, preferably using an H2O2 solution.