Pathologists’ Assistant MS

Major: Pathologists' Assistant
Degree Awarded: Master of Science (MS)
Calendar Type: Semester
Minimum Required Credits: 91.0
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code: 51.0811
Standard Occupational Classification (SOC) code: 29-2055

About the Program

The Graduate 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 at Drexel University College of Medicine offers traditional and nontraditional students the opportunity to train in the highly specialized field of anatomic pathology and earn a Master of Science degree. The two-year, full-time program begins in May of each year. The first year is the didactic portion of the program, supplemented by laboratory exposure. The second year is the clinical education portion of the program, composed of several hospital-based rotations offering progressively responsible experience in autopsy pathology, forensic pathology, pediatric pathology and surgical pathology. These rotations are supplemented with informal classroom education and examinations conducted monthly at the University.

Program Accreditation

The National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS): NAACLS, in conjunction with the American Association of Pathologist' Assistants, has established national standards for pathologists' assistant educational 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 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 Certification (ASCP BOC): The ASCP BOC, in conjunction with the American Association of Pathologist' Assistants, 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 was founded in 1972 as a not-for-profit volunteer organization of allied health practitioners dedicated to the advocacy and advancement of the pathologists' assistant profession. The AAPA advocates, promotes and sustains the highest education and professional standards for the profession, for all associated educational training programs and for individual pathologists' assistants. It is the mission of the AAPA to provide their members with high-quality, targeted continuing education (CE) opportunities, as well as professional development and leadership activities to include networking and support. Additionally, the AAPA strives to promote and support high quality standards within the scope of practice for pathologists' assistants in anatomic pathology, ensuring the provision of high-quality patient care.

  • VISION: The AAPA will be the premier professional association for pathologists’ assistants, supporting the individual practitioners as they serve patients, pathologists, and the profession.

  • MISSION STATEMENT: The AAPA is dedicated to providing comprehensive professional support for pathologists’ assistants.

  • CORE VALUES: Quality Patient Care, Education, Advocacy, Collaboration.

Visit the AAPA website for additional information about this association.

Career Opportunities

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.

Additional Information

For more information about this program, visit the College of Medicine's Master of Science in Pathologists’ Assistant program web page.

Contact Information

James W. Moore, MHS, PA(ASCP)CM
Assistant Professor/Program Director
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
60 N. 36th Street, Room 10W35
Health Sciences Building
Philadelphia, PA 19104
267.359.2327
jwm44@drexel.edu
 
Kelly M. Lozier, MS, PA(ASCP)CM
Clinical Faculty and Clinical Coordinator
Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences and Professional Studies
60 N. 36th Street, Room 10W32
Health Sciences Building
Philadelphia, PA 19104
267.359.2536
kmm599@drexel.edu
 
Pathologists' Assistant (PathA) Program
Division of Interdisciplinary and Career-Oriented Programs
60 N. 36th Street
Health Sciences Building
Philadelphia, PA 19104
267.359.2761
CoM_career-oriented@drexel.edu

Admission Requirements

A pathologists' assistant is someone who has the ability to relate to people, the capacity for calm and reasoned judgment, and who demonstrates a commitment to quality patient care.

The program's courses and content are ideal for:

  • Recent graduates with a degree in a biological or allied health science with exposure to anatomy, physiology, chemistry, and microbiology. Previous exposure to pathology is recommended.
  • Allied health professionals, particularly cytotechnologists, histotechnologists and medical technologists

Admission Requirements

Students will be selected on the basis of adequate educational background and medical experience. A bachelor's degree in a biological or allied health science with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0 is the minimum requirement for acceptance into the program. Prerequisite coursework will include microbiology, human anatomy, physiology, mathematics, English composition, general chemistry, organic and/or biochemistry, and biological science. Lab-based science courses are required.

All candidates will be required to have a formal interview with the Selection Committee prior to final acceptance. The deadline for submission of the application is the second Friday in February of the year in which the students plan to enroll.

Candidates for admission must provide the following credentials:

  • Completed application form
  • Resume
  • Official transcripts from all college or university attended or where coursework was attempted or taken
  • Official General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
  • Three letters of evaluation
  • Self-assessment essays:
    • Discuss personal goals, conditions, or career aspirations that motivate you to pursue graduate study at Drexel University.
    • What are your most important accomplishments?
    • What do you expect to achieve through this program?

Additional Information

See the Pathologsts' Assistant How to Apply web page for detailed instructions.

For further information, contact:

Pathologists' Assistant (PathA) Program
Division of Interdisciplinary and Career-oriented Programs
60 N. 36th Street
Health Sciences Building
Philadelphia, PA 19104
267.359.2761
CoM_career-oriented@drexel.edu

 Degree Requirements

Required Courses
MFSP 551SHuman Function3.0
MLAS 531SEmbryology3.0
MLAS 545SFundamentals of Histology3.0
MSPA 500SGross Anatomy5.0
MSPA 510SLaboratory Management2.0
MSPA 520SMedical Terminology3.0
MSPA 530SBiomedical Photography4.0
MSPA 540SHistotechnology I3.0
MSPA 541SHistotechnology II3.0
MSPA 550SApplied Anatomic Pathology4.0
MSPA 560SMedical Ethics2.0
MSPA 570SMedical Pathology I6.0
MSPA 571SMedical Pathology II4.0
MSPA 580SMedical Microbiology I4.0
MSPA 581SMedical Microbiology II3.0
MSPA 590SLeadership Skills for the Medical Profession3.0
MSPA 600SSurgical Pathology I6.0
MSPA 601SSurgical Pathology II6.0
MSPA 602SSurgical Pathology III6.0
MSPA 610SAutopsy Pathology I6.0
MSPA 611SAutopsy Pathology II6.0
MSPA 612SAutopsy Pathology III6.0
Total Credits91.0

 


 

Sample Plan of Study 

First Year
  SummerCredits
  MLAS 531S3.0
  MLAS 545S3.0
  MSPA 500S5.0
  MSPA 510S2.0
  MSPA 520S3.0
   16
Second Year
FallCreditsSpringCreditsSummerCredits
MSPA 530S4.0MFSP 551S3.0MSPA 560S2.0
MSPA 540S3.0MSPA 541S3.0MSPA 600S6.0
MSPA 570S6.0MSPA 550S4.0MSPA 610S6.0
MSPA 580S4.0MSPA 571S4.0 
MSPA 590S3.0MSPA 581S3.0 
 20 17 14
Third Year
FallCreditsSpringCredits 
MSPA 601S6.0MSPA 602S6.0 
MSPA 611S6.0MSPA 612S6.0 
 12 12 
Total Credits 91
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