Specific admission requirements vary per pathology assistant program. You should consult
with pathology assistant schools of interest to determine their specific admission
requirements
Suggested academic preparation:
- Bachelor's degree- A majority of pathology assistant programs require that applicants
earn a bachelor's degree along with specific prerequisite courses before starting
the professional program.
- Programs that do not require a bachelor's degree will require a specific number of
undergraduate credit hours for admission. Check with each program for information
on required undergraduate preparation.
- Competitive academic record- GPA in all courses, and especially in science courses,
will be part of the admission decision.
- Major in anything
We recommend you meet with an advisor once a semester to ensure you are progressing
with the correct academic coursework.
MCAT (Medical College Admissions Test) or Graduate Record Exam (GRE)
Some pathologists' assistant schools require the MCAT exam, while others require the
GRE, either of which is usually taken the latter half of junior year. Check with each
program of interest for specific requirements.
GRE Resources
MCAT Resources
Pathologists' Assistant (PATHA)
Similar to a physicians' assistant (PA), pathologists' assistant help pathologists
with tasks such as gross examination and description of surgical specimens, assistance
with intraoperative consultations, autopsies, laboratory management, data compilation
and reporting, research, and inventory and lab maintenance. Pathologists' assistant
can work in private practice, hospitals, laboratories, medical schools, medical examiners
offices, and morgues. This is a 2 year master's degree program which includes classroom
training (in medicine and pathology), as well as clinical training followed by a licensing
exam (ASCP certification examination).
