Pathologists' Assistant

The School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies offers the Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant (PathA). The pathologists' assistant is an intensely trained allied health professional who provides anatomic pathology services under the direction and supervision of a pathologist. Pathologists' assistants interact with pathologists in the same manner that physicians' assistants carry out their duties under the direction of physicians in surgical and medical practice.

The PathA program offers students the opportunity to train in the highly specialized field of anatomic pathology. This two-year, full-time program begins in May of each year. The first year is comprised of the instructional portion of the program supplemented by pathology laboratory exposure. The second year of the program is composed of several hospital-based clinical rotations offering progressively responsible experience in autopsy and surgical pathology. These rotations are supplemented with informal classroom education.

Program Accreditation

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS): NAACLS, in conjunction with the AAPA, has established national standards for pathologists' assistant training programs. The standards include both didactic coursework and clinical experiences necessary to properly educate a pathologists' assistant. The Master of  Science in Pathologists' Assistant program at the Drexel University College of Medicine is accredited by NAACLS. Visit the NAACLS website for more information about the professional activities of this organization.

Professional Certification

The American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Registry (ASCP BOC): The ASCP BOC, in conjunction with the AAPA, has established a national certification program for pathologists' assistants. In 2005, the ASCP BOC first offered a national certification examination for pathologists' assistants. In order to be eligible for the BOC examination, applicants must be graduates of a pathologists' assistant educational program accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS). Visit the ASCP BOC website to read more about the certification program and the professional activities of this organization.

Professional Affiliation

The American Association of Pathologists' Assistants (AAPA): The AAPA is the only national professional organization for pathologists' assistants.

The AAPA:

• Is a not-for-profit, volunteer organization dedicated to advancing the pathologists' assistant profession by providing its members with education, networking, and professional support;
• Supports professional competency through program accreditation and individual certification; and
• Promotes public and professional awareness of the pathologists' assistant as an integral member of the healthcare team.

 Visit the AAPA website for more additional information about this association.

Transcripts

Official transcripts must be sent directly to Drexel from all of the colleges and universities that you have attended. Please note that transcripts are required regardless of number of credits taken or if the credits were transferred to another school. An admission decision may be delayed if you do not send transcripts from all colleges and universities that you have attended.

Transcripts must show course-by-course grades and degree conferrals. If your school does not notate degree conferrals on the official transcripts, you must provide copies of any graduate or degree certificates.

If your school issues only one transcript for life, you are required to have a course-by-course evaluation completed by an approved transcript evaluation agency.

Precise, word-for-word English translations of all non-English language documents are required along with official documents in the original language. All translations must be completed by the issuing institution or an ATA-certified translator. Visit the American Translators Association website to search for an ATA-certified translator.

International students: If you have already graduated from your previous institution at the time of your application, please email your graduation certificate(s) attached as PDF or Microsoft Word documents to [email protected]. Note: Any international applicant, regardless of program, may be required to provide a transcript evaluation should the Admissions Committee determine it is needed for the application to be reviewed. If your transcripts are selected for a course-by-course evaluation by an external agency, you will be responsible for supplying all necessary documentation and paying all necessary fees to have your transcripts evaluated.

If you have questions regarding what documents you must submit to fulfill the transcript requirements, contact the Office of Graduate Admissions.

Standardized Test Scores

GRE test scores are not required.

Test of English as a Foreign Language

International applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency by submitting scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL minimum scores: 80/550/213), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or the Pearson Test of English (PTE minimum score: 53) unless they meet the criteria for a waiver.

Essay

Please write an essay describing your career goals, including specific research and scholarly interests. Please be sure to indicate how your interests coincide with those of particular School of Education Faculty members.

Submit your essay with your application or through the Discover Drexel portal after you submit your application.

Résumé

Upload your résumé as part of your admission application or through the Discover Drexel Portal after you submit your application.

Letters of Recommendation

Recommenders should be able to speak to your academic performance.

Interview

Virtual, in-person, or telephone interview required for qualified applicants.

Academic Experience

Admission to this program requires a minimum 3.25 GPA (a 3.5 is preferred).

Writing Sample

Please submit a sample of scholarly writing, including but not limited to published articles, theses, or term papers, by mail or email as an attachment to [email protected].

Mailing Addresses

Pathologists' assistants are employed in community hospitals, academic centers such as medical schools and university hospitals, private pathology laboratories, medical research centers, government hospitals, and medical examiner offices.