The University of Maryland School of Medicine grants master's degrees for pathology assistants on the basis of which students are eligible to take the certification exam administered by the American Society of Clinical Pathology. Students in this program learn the fundamentals they need to assist anatomic pathologists, including how to dissect a specimen and identify its anatomical structures, photograph pathology specimens and prepare specimens for further analysis. In addition, students in this program perform autopsies in doing a toxicological and biological analysis of a body.
Students who complete this program become prepared to work for medical examiners, hospitals, private laboratories and university medical centers.
University of Maryland School of Medicine
22 South Greene St. Rm NBW81
Baltimore, Maryland 21201
(410) 328-5555
medschool.umaryland.edu/pathology/pa/
The Pathologists' Assistant program at the West Virginia University School of Medicine was founded in 2007 and offers a master's degree. Students in this program take courses on subjects such as forensic photography, microbiology, human anatomy and the techniques of anatomical pathology. Students who are admitted into this program generally have earned bachelor's level degrees in forensic science, nursing, medical technology, chemistry or biology.
West Virginia University
(304) 293-0734
hsc.wvu.edu/som/pa/
East Carolina University offers a pathology assistant certificate program that takes two years to complete. The program is designed to give students the fundamental knowledge of pathology and disease that they need to assist pathologists. The courses that students take in this program cover topics such as cell biology, the principles of pathology and the systems of the body.
East Carolina University
Brody School of Medicine
Brody Medical Sciences Bldg. 7S10
Greenville, NC 27858
(252) 744-2803
www.pathology.ecu.edu/Public/graduate/paprogram.htm