The first step to a career in pathology is completion of a medical degree. This typically takes four years and requires extensive undergraduate study in science. Medical school involves scientific and clinical studies, providing students with core knowledge of biochemistry, molecular biology, anatomy, genetics, immunology and patient care. Some schools also give students the opportunity to carry out specialized research and preparation in a pathology-related field. Top medical schools in the United States include Harvard University, Duke University, the University of Michigan and Johns Hopkins University, according to "U.S. News & World Report."
Residency programs are required for those who wish to practice pathology in a clinical setting. Medical schools generally provide resources for choosing an appropriate residency program, and many, such as Stanford, offer their own pathology residencies. Residency involves in-depth training in anatomical or clinical pathology, or both, and takes place in laboratory as well as hospital settings. It may take two years or more, and is geared toward preparing doctors for the scholarly and practical aspects of a pathology-focused medical career.
After medical school, it is possible to attain a doctoral degree in pathology. This track is particularly suited to those who wish to focus their careers on research and teaching. Though some institutions, such as the Stanford School of Medicine, offer a wide range of graduate studies in pathology, others, such as Wake Forest, are limited to one or two fields. Specializations include cytopathology, dermatopathology, clinical pathology, autopsy pathology, neuropathology, hematopathology, molecular genetic pathology, surgical pathology and transfusion medicine. Doctoral programs may take up to five years, and typically require the completion of a thesis project as well as oral and written exams.
A postdoctoral fellowship is a steppingstone between the completion of graduate work and a career in teaching and research. Ideally, you should choose a fellowship at a medical school with research strengths in your particular pathology specialization. These positions are typically funded by the institution as well as by outside sources, and so may require the completion of scholarship and grant applications. Some fellowships are available to current doctoral students; others are available to new faculty members. Postdoctoral fellowships may last for several years, and some include travel grants.