Pathologists' Assistant (PathA) Schools
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“The pathologists’ assistant career has existed for over 50 years since the first program was started at Duke University. Since the inception of this career, the scope of practice and the required credentials for a practicing pathologists’ assistant has expanded tremendously.”
Jorge Jacot, PhD, Associate Professor, Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University
Pathologists’ assistants have a deep understanding of human anatomy and diseases. Through education and training, they learned specialized clinical skills to assist in autopsies and examinations. Their findings help physicians diagnose diseases or causes of death. The work pathologists’ assistants complete is critical in the research to improve care and outcomes.
The Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) estimates that by 2036, there will be an estimated shortage 86,000 physicians in the US. The demand for physician extenders, such as pathologists’ assistants, who can work independently under supervision, is growing. In fact, the BLS (2024) predicts that employment of physician assistants is projected to grow 28 percent from 2023 to 2033, which is much faster than the average for all occupations (4 percent). The BLS currently classifies pathologists’ assistants as physician assistants.
While pathologists’ assistants work in various settings, including morgues, teaching facilities, and labs, they are most typically employed at hospitals. Day-to-day duties they perform include gross (initial) examinations of specimens, preparing samples of tissues and fluids for examination, photographing specimens, writing reports, and assisting with administrative lab tasks.
To work in this field, pathologists’ assistants must complete a National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredited program. These two-year programs include one year of study and one year of hands-on clinical rotations to gain the skills necessary to excel in this field.
Continue reading to learn about top NAACLS-accredited programs and an expert’s perspective.
Meet the Expert: Jorge Jacot, PhD
Dr. Jorge Jacot is the founding program director of the pathologists’ assistant program at Eastern Virginia Medical School (EVMS) and is currently serving at Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences Center at Old Dominion University.
Dr. Jacot obtained a master’s degree as a pathologists’ assistant from the University of Maryland at Baltimore and his PhD in physiological sciences from the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USUHS), the F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine in Bethesda, Maryland.
Dr. Jacot completed a five-year post-doctoral fellowship at the National Eye Institute (NEI), National Institutes of Health (NIH) in Bethesda, Maryland, in the Laboratory of Mechanisms of Ocular Diseases, where he was given the Fellows Award in Research Excellence. As a recipient of awards from the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO), his research is internationally recognized for characterizing microangiopathies pertaining to diabetic retinopathy and diabetic ocular pathologies.
Dr. Jacot has numerous publications on this topic in high-impact journals. He has served on the editorial board of several pathology journals and continues to serve as a reviewer for several international peer-reviewed journals. In addition to ten years of directorship experience in developing commercial therapeutics leading to human clinical trials and several USA patents, he joined EVMS in 2004. During his 20-year tenure, he has served as chairman of the Curriculum Committee for the School of Health Professions, been on the NAACLS site-visit team for accreditation for several pathologists’ assistant programs, and is currently an associate professor in the Department of Pathology & Anatomy and Physiological Sciences at EVMS/ODU. He has been the PathA program director since 2016 and is the course director for seven courses in the PathA curriculum. He is a member of the AAPA, ASCP, American Diabetes Association (ADA), and American Physiological Society (APS).
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is something you wish the public understood about pathologists’ assistants?
Dr. Jacot: The pathologists’ assistant career has existed for over 50 years since the first program was started at Duke University. Since the inception of this career, the scope of practice and the required credentials for a practicing pathologists’ assistant (PathA) has expanded tremendously.
The job prospects for a PathA continue to be strong, with all PathA training programs reporting 100 percent job placement. Many graduates have multiple job offers, which are solidified several months before graduating from the various accredited training programs. The job prospects for this career path appear to remain strong as hospitals and private pathology groups face cost containment requirements, and the processing of pathology specimens by qualified pathologists’ assistants, rather than pathologists, is approximately 60 percent less expensive for the institution.
Additionally, there is a nationwide shortage of pathologists and incoming residents. Pathologists’ assistants are poised to fill in the employment gap. The starting salaries are lucrative, with a national average base salary of approximately $90,000 and an occasional sign-up bonus payment varying from $5,000 to $15,000. A pathologists’ assistant can find gainful employment in hospitals, private pathology labs, medical examiner’s offices, morgues, academic institutions, and government facilities or conduct freelance, self-employed contract work.
MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What advice would you give to aspiring pathology assistant students?
Dr. Jacot: There are only 16 NAACLS-accredited PathA training programs in North America. Select a program that is NAACLS accredited so that you are eligible to take the ASCP Certification exam (a student is eligible when a program is given “serious applicant” status by NAACLS).
The tuition and cost of attendance for these programs varied widely depending on geographical location. Therefore, conduct your due diligence when researching tuition costs. These are competitive master-level programs, and accredited programs require a minimum of 3.00 GPA to be eligible. Realistically, students need a stronger GPA than meeting the minimum requirement (such as 3.5 GPA) to be competitive. Most programs will require prerequisite courses in the sciences with corresponding laboratory instruction, such as biology, general and organic chemistry, and mathematics. A strong academic performance in the prerequisite courses will increase the chances of acceptance. An entrance exam is required by most programs, such as the GRE or MCAT.
Students should acquire a “shadowing” experience prior to applying to the various programs. The extent of the expertise required varies considerably from program to program. A common requirement is that the student has been exposed to diverse surgical specimens, has observed intraoperative consultation (frozen section) procedures, and witnessed an autopsy case. It takes time to set up these shadowing experiences, so students should contact regional hospitals in anticipation of the application process. The shadowing experience is designed to familiarize the student with the “scope of practice” of a pathologists’ assistant and to help solidify the desire to pursue this career path.
A personal statement essay is usually required by the admission review committees, and students should use this opportunity to express with conviction why they have a “fire in their belly” in wanting to become a pathologists’ assistant. Completing an accredited program will provide the student with the essential training to work professionally and competently with board-certified pathologists, residents, medical examiners, and others in the allied health profession.
Pathologists’ Assistant Admissions Requirements & Accreditation
Admission requirements for pathologist’ assistant programs typically include:
- A bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution
- Prerequisite coursework in chemistry, organic chemistry, and biology
- GRE score
- Shadowing experience in pathology
- A completed application
- Pay an application fee
- Letters of recommendation
- TOEFL or IELTS score for international applicants
- Official transcripts
- A personal statement
- Current resume
The National Accrediting Agency Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) accredits pathologists’ assistant programs. There are only 16 accredited pathologists’ assistant programs in the US and only four in Canada. Students must attend an accredited program as this is required for American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certification.
List of Pathologists' Assistant (PathA) Schools
| School | City | State | Website | GRADS ('21) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science | North Chicago | Illinois | https://www.rosalindfranklin.edu | 29 |
| Loma Linda University | Loma Linda | California | https://llu.edu | 16 |
| West Virginia University | Morgantown | West Virginia | https://www.wvu.edu | 14 |
| Drexel University | Philadelphia | Pennsylvania | https://drexel.edu | 11 |
| Eastern Virginia Medical School | Norfolk | Virginia | https://www.evms.edu | 11 |
| University of Maryland Baltimore | Baltimore | Maryland | https://www.umaryland.edu | 10 |
| Wayne State University | Detroit | Michigan | https://wayne.edu | 6 |
On-Campus Pathologists’ Assistant Programs
Drexel University – College of Medicine
The two-year master of science in pathologists’ assistant (PathA) at Drexel University College of Medicine merges a year of intensive classroom study with the second year of practical fieldwork. The program’s curriculum includes courses such as medical terminology, applied anatomic pathology, biomedical photography, medical terminology, autopsy pathology, medical microbiology, and medical pathology, among others. Graduates will have the necessary education and training to work independently under the supervision of a pathologist.
Students must complete a total of 91 semester hours credits to complete this program. A bachelor’s degree in allied health or biological science with a grade point average of at least 3.0 is the minimum requirement for acceptance into this program. Additional requirements include prerequisite coursework, GRE scores, a personal statement, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts demonstrating a completed bachelor’s degree.
Graduates will be ready to take up positions in various settings such as community hospitals, private pathology laboratories, government hospitals, medical examiner offices, medical research centers, and academic centers such as university hospitals and medical schools.
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
- Estimated Tuition: Full-time ($10,044 per semester), part-time ($761 per credit)
Duke University – School of Medicine
The Duke University School of Medicine master’s in health science pathologists’ assistant degree trains students in surgical and autopsy pathology. In addition to technical skills, students will also learn various administrative skills, including managing budgets, supervising, and teaching.
Comprising 94 credits, the program includes courses such as an introduction to practical anatomic pathology techniques, foundations of patient care, neuroscience and the autopsy, introduction to autopsy pathology, anatomic pathology and digital analytics, surgical pathology, the pathologic basis of clinical medicine, laboratory technologies and techniques, and photography. This program can be completed in just under two years. Graduates are eligible to sit for the ASCP certification exam.
- Location: Durham, NC
- Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC), National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Expected Time to Completion: 23.5 months
Quinnipiac University – School of Health Sciences
Quinnipiac University’s School of Health Sciences offers a two-year master’s in health science pathologists’ assistant program. The outstanding faculty in this program are dedicated to their student’s success. Class sizes are kept small to foster close relationships between professors and students. This program has had more than 600 students graduate since it began in 1973.
To graduate, students must complete 89 semester credit hours in coursework such as surgical pathology, autopsy pathology, histochemistry, disease mechanisms, and human embryology. Admission requirements include a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, prerequisite coursework, letters of recommendation, a statement of intent, a current resume, and official transcripts. GRE scores are not required.
- Location: Hamden, CT
- Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE), National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
University of Maryland – School of Medicine
With only ten students per class, the master’s of science for pathologists’ assistants at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is a small and intimate program that graduates outstanding professionals in this field. This program boasts a 100 percent job placement rate and 100 ASCP pass rate since 2018. With a focus on both surgical and autopsy pathology, students receive a well-rounded education.
Upon completing two semesters of classroom-based coursework, students will engage in three full semesters of clinical rotations to practice their pathology skills in actual morgues, hospitals, and labs. This program is only offered to full-time students and can be completed in only 22 months.
Made up of 38 credits, the program includes course in systemic pathology, general pathology, autopsy pathology, surgical pathology, cell and systems physiology, laboratory management, clinical pathology and microbiology, and structure and development (anatomy, histology, and embryology).
- Location: Baltimore MD
- Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE), National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Expected Time to Completion: 22 months
Wayne State University’s Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences offers a master of science program in pathologists’ assistant program that trains students in this highly specialized field, preparing them for their careers through comprehensive experiential learning. Students will be prepared to assist pathologists in surgical, anatomic, autopsy, and forensic pathology.
To get accepted into the program, applicants must have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university, a minimum cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0, completion of all prerequisite coursework, submission of two letters of recommendation, and TOEFL scores for students whose first language of instruction is not English.
Consisting of 77 credits, the program includes courses such as applied general pathology, medical photography and techniques in pathology, human anatomy and physiology for pathologists’ assistants, human embryology and pediatric pathology, histochemistry for the pathologists’ assistants, neuroanatomy for the pathologists’ assistant, surgical pathology, and clinical pathology.
- Location: Detroit, MI
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), National Accreditation Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
West Virginia University School of Medicine’s pathologists’ assistant program culminates in a master’s degree in health science. Class sizes for this program are small, consisting of just 16 students per class. The program’s first year includes hands-on experiences in surgical pathology gross rooms and autopsy suites, while the second year comprises clinical rotations in several medical settings, providing students with a wide range of experience before employment. Graduates will be eligible to take the ASCP board certification exam.
The 74-credit curriculum of the program includes courses such as anatomical pathology techniques, educational methodologies, systemic pathology, fundamentals of physiology, microbiology, medical laboratory management, advanced microanatomy, and autopsy and surgical procedures.
Admission requirements to the program include a bachelor’s degree in any science, a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, two letters of recommendation, completion of prerequisite courses, a statement of purpose, a current resume, and current transcripts.
- Location: Morgantown, WV
- Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC), National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Expected Time to Completion: 24 months
Macon & Joan Brock Virginia Health Sciences – Old Dominion University
The pathologists’ assistant program at Eastern Virginia Medical School is a two-year master’s degree designed to address the shortage of practicing pathologists. It is the only program of its kind in Virginia and one of 16 in the U.S. The program prepares students to perform gross examinations, conduct autopsy services, and process specimens in various settings.
Students benefit from customized courses, certification opportunities, and hands-on training in state-of-the-art facilities. The program includes extensive clinical clerkships, offering around 1,500 clinical hours at sites like the National Institutes of Health, and prepares graduates for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) exam.
- Location: Norfolk, VA
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
- Expected Time to Completion: Two years
Online Pathologists’ Assistant Programs
Due to the hands-on nature of pathologists’ assistant work and training, there are no fully online programs at this time, although select courses may be completed in a distance-based or hybrid format.
Pathologists’ Assistant Certification & Licensure
Certification for pathologists’ assistants is voluntary, although it is an industry standard, and most employers require it. This field’s primary certification is the Pathologists’ Assistant (PA) certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).
To be eligible for this exam, candidates must hold at least a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited university and have completed a NAACLS-accredited Pathologists’ Assistant program within the past five years. This exam costs $530, must be completed in two and a half hours, and consists of 100 multiple-choice questions.
Licensing requirements for pathologists’ assistants vary by state. For licensing purposes, pathologists’ assistants often fall under the category of clinical laboratory personnel. Aspiring professionals in this field should contact their local state board to learn about licensing requirements and ensure they have the necessary qualifications.
