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Forensic Pathologists’ Assistant Programs – Online & On-Campus Degrees
“This job is great because you will never be bored. No tissue, organ, or autopsy will ever look the same. It could be the same cancer, for example, but is present in a variety of ways and looks completely different from one person to the next. You are constantly engaged. It’s a great job for someone who likes to be in the background, likes solving puzzles, and appreciates continuous engagement in their work.”Lou Kramer, PhD, Pathologists’ Assistant Program Director, Wayne State University
For people with a morbid curiosity surrounding the causes of death and various pathologies, becoming a pathologists’ assistant (PA) is one possible career path.
According to the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA 2022), these medical professionals—analogous to physicians’ assistants—have a variety of surgical, autopsy-related, and administrative duties, typically performed under the supervision of a licensed pathologist.
For example, forensic PAs prepare tissue samples for testing (e.g., immunohistochemical staining, light microscopy, flow cytometry, etc.); help complete autopsies; document specimen and autopsy test results; access, compile, and summarize clinical histories; educate medical and legal personnel on research findings; and maintain cleanliness (as well as inventories) in medical research facilities.
Forensic pathologists’ assistants (PAs) are highly skilled professionals employed in various environments, including morgues, forensic pathology research organizations, community hospitals, medical schools, and private laboratories. Not surprisingly, PAs are rigorously trained and may even seek national certification through the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) after completing a PA program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).
Read on to discover what to expect from a pathologist assistant school and information about common program requirements, curricula, professional certification, and program accreditation.
Meet the Expert: Lou Kramer, PhD
Dr. Lou Kramer is an educator and professional in forensic pathology. She is the director, clinical coordinator, and clinical assistant professor at Wayne State University, where she has been instrumental in shaping the pathologists’ assistant program.
Dr. Kramer earned her PhD in learning design and technology from Wayne State University, a bachelor’s of science in pathologists’ assistance from the same institution, a master’s of arts in education from Madonna University, and a bachelor’s of arts in education from Madonna University. Her diverse educational background underscores her commitment to both pathology and education.
Certified by the American Society for Clinical Pathology since 2015, Dr. Kramer is also a certified clinical hemodialysis technician and a certified teacher of Spanish and English Secondary Education.
Since 2016, she has been the pathologists’ assistant program director at Wayne State University. Additionally, she has served as the anatomy prosector coordinator for the applied health science and health science departments. She has been a clinical assistant professor across multiple programs, including mortuary science, physical therapy, occupational therapy, and nurse anesthetisia.
Dr. Kramer is a member of several prestigious professional organizations, including the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants, the American Society for Clinical Pathology, the American Academy of Forensic Sciences, the Human Anatomy & Physiology Society, the Michigan Mortuary Response Team, the Michigan Association of Medical Examiners, and the the National Association of Medical Examiners.
ForensicColleges.com: What is something you wish the public understood about pathologists’ assistants?
Dr. Kramer: Pathologist assistants are mid-level providers who work behind the scenes. They do not have direct patient contact, but they are critical to patient care. When a patient gets a biopsy or has a piece of an organ or tissue removed from their body, it goes to the pathology laboratory, where it is processed by a pathologists’ assistant. So, we are very much involved with patient diagnoses and treatments, but indirectly.
The pathologists’ assistant has to recognize what they’re seeing in a sample and determine if it is normal or abnormal. They then have to make the most appropriate tissue selections to be reviewed by the pathologist microscopically. The pathologist makes the diagnosis itself, but they can’t make the diagnosis if the pathologists’ assistant doesn’t select the correct tissue.
ForensicColleges.com:What advice would you give to aspiring pathologists’ assistant students?
Dr. Kramer: This job is great because you will never be bored. No tissue, organ, or autopsy will ever look the same. It could be the same cancer, for example, but is present in a variety of ways and looks completely different from one person to the next. You are constantly engaged.
It’s a great job for someone who likes to be in the background, likes solving puzzles, and appreciates continuous engagement in their work.
Degree & Certificate Programs for Pathologists’ Assistants
Forensic pathologists’ assistant (PA) programs are increasingly offered at a master’s level. For illustration, Wayne State University transitioned its popular bachelor of science (BS) pathologist assistant program to a master of science (MS) degree in fall 2016.
To give aspiring students a flavor of what to expect, here are five PA programs accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) and the Accreditation Review Commission on Education for the Physician Assistant (ARC-PA). To learn more about the benefits of PA program accreditation, please reference the final section.
Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan offers a master of science in pathologists’ assistant program. Courses include applied general pathology, clinical terminology and methodology, medical photography and techniques in pathology, medical microbiology for technical professionals, and human embryology and pediatric pathology, among others.
An impressive 100 percent of students who finish the program are employed within six months of graduating.
- Location: Detroit, MI
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
Drexel University in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, offers a pathologists’ assistant (PathA) program at the master of health science (MHS-PA) level. Drexel’s two-year program begins in May. The first year is marked by some laboratory exposure and comprehensive coursework in histotechnology, applied anatomic pathology, and medical microbiology, among other subjects. The second year comprises clinical rotations among several local hospitals and continued advanced instruction in the fundamentals of pathology.
Drexel also has a Center for Academic Success (CAS) with several student-support services, including testing preparation, counseling, and free tutoring. Graduates from this program are eligible to take the Physician Assistant National Certifying Exam (PANCE), detailed in the certification section below.
- Location: Philadelphia, PA
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS)
Duke University of Durham, North Carolina, offers a two-year master of health science (MHS) program for pathologists’ assistants (PAs). This school’s Department of Pathology blazed a trail for PAs 40 years ago, “founding” the profession.
Through 86 credits of courses such as pharmacology, immunology, and microbiology, students are taught the fundamentals of the discipline, including techniques, terminology, and technology. The program also has clinical rotations to impart skills such as laboratory management, medical photography, and various specimen testing procedures and documentation.
- Location: Durham, NC
- Duration: 23.5 months
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Services (NAACLS)
Quinnipiac University in Hamden, Connecticut, offers a dual degree (BS/MHS) program. The four-year bachelor of science in biomedical sciences features courses in biology and chemistry focusing on human health and disease. The master of health sciences features didactic laboratory courses and 12-month clinical rotations.
In addition, students have opportunities to join faculty in research projects. This program boasts a 98 percent employment rate six months after graduation and a 100 percent first-time pass rate in 2020. The School of Health Sciences at Quinnipiac University also offers a master of health sciences in biomedical sciences.
- Location: Hamden, CT
- Duration: Six years
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Services (NAACLS)
The University of Maryland School of Medicine—based in Baltimore—has an NAACLS-accredited master of science (MS) program for prospective pathologists’ assistants. This program boasts a 97 percent first-time passing rate on the ASCP national certification examination and a 100 percent employment placement rate after graduation.
This 38-credit program offers specialized instruction in surgical pathology, systemic pathology, and autopsy pathology, among other areas. It also involves clinical rotations at various world-renowned facilities, including Johns Hopkins Hospital.
- Location: Baltimore, MD
- Duration: Two years
- Accreditation: National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Services (NAACLS)
Common Courses & Requirements in Pathologists’ Assistant Programs
As mentioned above, a growing majority of All pathologists’ assistant (PA) programs are at the master’s level, no exceptions although there are some exceptions. Here are the prerequisites (i.e., admissions requirements), curricula, and program samples at the bachelor’s and master’s levels.
Bachelor’s Programs For Pathologists’ Assistants
- Prerequisites: Official transcripts from secondary (or postsecondary) schools with a competitive GPA (e.g., >2.5), completion of specific secondary-level coursework (e.g., biology, chemistry, calculus), personal statement, Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), or American College Testing (ACT) scores, Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
- Common courses: Human histology, clinical terminology & methodology, the basis of pathophysiology, medical photography, vertebrate & human embryology, human anatomy & physiology, future trends in pathology practice, general education (e.g., English composition, philosophy, ethics)
- Sample program: Quinnipiac University (dual degree BS/MHS program)
Master’s Program For Pathologists’ Assistants
- Prerequisites: Official transcripts from accredited undergraduate school with a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.0), completion of specific coursework (e.g., microbiology, biochemistry, general chemistry, organic chemistry, physiology, college-level mathematics, English composition), personal statement, letter(s) of recommendation, interview (in-person or distance-based), experience in pathology, medical photo portfolio, background check and drug screening, Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores (optional), TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
- Common courses: Structure & development, general pathology, systemic pathology, surgical pathology, autopsy pathology, laboratory management, fundamentals of histology, histotechnology, medical microbiology, biomedical photography,
- Sample program: Rosalind Franklin University
- Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
- Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
- New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
- Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
- Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
- Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
Finally, programs at both the bachelor’s and master’s levels typically include preparation for national certification through the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Please reference the professional certification section below for more information.
Hybrid & Online Programs for Pathologists’ Assistants
| Featured Programs | ||
|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University | Forensic Science (BS) | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Forensic Science (PSM) | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Forensic Science - Death Investigations (BS) | Visit Site |
| Arizona State University | Medical Studies: Pre-Med (BS) | Visit Site |
| Grand Canyon University | MS - Forensic Science | Visit Site |
| Stevenson University Online | Online Master of Forensic Science (MFS) | Visit Site |
| Stevenson University Online | Online MFS - Biology Concentration | Visit Site |
| Stevenson University Online | Online MFS - Chemistry Concentration | Visit Site |
| Southern New Hampshire University | BA in Psychology - Forensic Psychology | Visit Site |
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Due to the hands-on nature of the training, laboratory work, and graduation requirements of accredited pathologist assistant (PA) programs, there are currently limited options for fully online degrees in this field. However, some schools offer partially online or hybrid (i.e., combined in-class and online) coursework, particularly for non-laboratory components of degree plans.
For example, the Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science—a North Chicago-based school—has some online learning. Check specific university websites for an overview of the web-based learning options.
Pathologists’ Assistant Certification
Since 2005, the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) has offered national certification for pathologist assistants (PAs). Prerequisites for this certification include providing documentation of experience, training, postsecondary education, and passing an examination.
This certification is valid for three years and can be renewed following the completion of the Certification Maintenance Program (CMP), which involves 60 “points” (i.e., credits of continuing education), including one point in laboratory safety and Ethics, 20 in anatomic pathology, and 38 in advanced cancer specimen stagging, forensics, management, education, or other relevant subfields. In addition, the ASCP and the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA) have opportunities for continuing education to maintain the certification.
Finally, according to the AAPA (2024), Nevada is currently the only state that requires a license to practice as a PA. California is slightly less restrictive, allowing uncertified PAs to dissect specimens as long as a certified pathologist is on-site. However, the AAPA adds that federal law holds anatomic pathology as a form of “high complexity” testing. Therefore, all uncertified practitioners must have an associate’s degree in the discipline.
Check the AAPA or governmental (i.e., state or federal) websites for more information on local licensing ordinances, which are subject to change.
Accreditation of Pathologists’ Assistant Programs
Aspiring pathologist assistants (PAs) are advised to seek out academic programs accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). The NAACLS has worked to establish and promote quality among PA programs across the country, recognizing schools that have achieved high curricula standards, student outcomes, faculty instruction, and clinical training.
In addition to the NAACLS—a programmatic accrediting agency—there are also institutional accreditation organizations that evaluate universities. Divided by region, there are six agencies recognized by the US Department of Education:
Jocelyn Blore is the chief content officer of Sechel Ventures and the co-author of the Women Breaking Barriers series. She graduated summa cum laude from UC Berkeley and traveled the world for five years. She also worked as an addiction specialist for two years in San Francisco. She’s interested in how culture shapes individuals and systems within societies—one of the many themes she writes about in her blog, Blore’s Razor (Instagram: @bloresrazor). She has served as managing editor for several healthcare websites since 2015.
Writer
Kimmy Gustafson
Kimmy Gustafson’s expertise and passion for investigative storytelling extends to the world of forensics, where she brings a wealth of knowledge and captivating narratives to readers seeking insights into this intriguing world. She has interviewed experts on little-known topics, such as how climate crimes are investigated and prosecuted, and has written for ForensicsColleges.com since 2019.
Kimmy has been a freelance writer for more than a decade, writing hundreds of articles on a wide variety of topics such as startups, nonprofits, healthcare, kiteboarding, the outdoors, and higher education. She is passionate about seeing the world and has traveled to over 27 countries. She holds a bachelor’s degree in journalism from the University of Oregon. When not working, she can be found outdoors, parenting, kiteboarding, or cooking.