Pathologists’ Assistant

  • Master

About the Program

With clinical sites in world-renowned institutions and a comprehensive, innovative curriculum and schedule, University of Jamestown will help you excel as a Pathologists’ Assistants (PA).

Our PA program is a two-year Master of Health Science degree program that prepares you for career growth and a wide variety of specializations in this field. With student-centered instruction and a commitment to success, we make it our mission to:

  • Comprehensively train students to take the national American Society for Clinical Pathology certification exam. (Please note, completion of the master’s degree is not associated with nor contingent upon taking an external certification exam)
  • Prepare students for professional job applications, interviewing, and negotiations through CV workshops, mock interviews, and mentorship by faculty.
  • Impart Christian values of kindness, compassion, and grace in students to apply to their daily practice of patient care.

What is it like to be a student in the Pathologists’ Assistant Program?

Our program is a full-time, two-year Master’s degree program. Classes are offered in-person in Phoenix, AZ, with cohorts beginning each January. Your first year will consist primarily of didactic education, with some exposure to laboratory procedures and autopsy. Your second year of study will be primarily clinical, with a comprehensive review course to help prepare for the national ASCP certification exam. Second-year rotations are offered in various sites including:

  • Academic medical centers
  • Private labs
  • Cancer centers
  • Community hospitals

Mission of the Pathologists’ Assistant Program

Our mission is to educate well-trained and qualified Pathologists’ Assistants, competent to practice in a variety of settings, while demonstrating professionalism in the practice of pathology, the teaching of residents and other medical professionals, and interpersonal communications with other medical professionals, patients, and patients’ families.

What is a Pathologists’ Assistant?

Pathologists’ Assistants (PAs) are mid-level health care professionals (analogous to Physician’s Assistants) working in the Department of Pathology, specializing in surgical and autopsy pathology, under the supervision of a medical doctor, usually a Pathologist. Learn more about what it means to be a Pathologists’ Assistant in this post from our Program Director.

Interested in applying?

For successful admission into the Pathologists’ Assistant program, you must meet the following requirements.
  1. Provide transcripts with a conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university.
  2. Provide three letters of recommendation that indicate a strong academic background and professional readiness.
  3. Interview, if deemed necessary.
  4. Complete an application, including personal statement and shadowing statement, and submit an application fee.
  5. Have a minimum GPA of 3.0.
    Students with a lower undergraduate degree GPA may be considered with further graduate-level education or other circumstances demonstrating academic competence. When graduate classes are taken, an overall GPA is calculated utilizing these classes.
  6. Complete a shadowing experience with a practicing Pathologists’ Assistant or have applicable work experience in Surgical or Autopsy Pathology.
    A statement regarding this experience is required in the application. There is no set number of hours that applicants need to have shadowed. Rather, it is expected that the applicant has gained enough knowledge to articulate in writing (and verbally if invited for an interview) the experience of shadowing and the typical responsibilities of a Pathologists’ Assistant.
  7. Complete the following pre-requisites in addition to baccalaureate degree:
    • Biology (with laboratory): 8 semester hours
    • General Chemistry (with laboratory): 8 semester hours
    • Organic Chemistry I/II (with laboratory) 8 semester hours
    • Biochemistry: 3 or 4 semester hours
    • Microbiology (with laboratory): 4 semester hours
    • College algebra or above: 3 hours
    • English composition or equivalent: 3 hours
  8. The GRE is NOT required for consideration.

Regardless of nationality or citizenship, an applicant whose native language is not English or whose secondary education has been given outside the United States, is required to pass a test of English proficiency. Test results/scores are to be sent directly to UJ from the testing service. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test dates.

Conditions of Immediate Rejections of Application:

  • Undergraduate degree GPA of <3.0
  • Incomplete application package
  • No shadowing experience
  • Incomplete pre-requisites
  • Falsification of facts regarding the undergraduate degree, work history, or personal background.

Essential Functions for the Pathologists’ Assistant Program

Pathologists’ Assistants require the following fundamental duties, many of which students will develop while in our program.
  1. Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving
    • Analyze complex specimens to determine appropriate dissection techniques.
    • Make decisions regarding tissue sampling for optimal diagnostic outcomes.
  2. Attention to Detail
    • Maintain accuracy in gross descriptions, measurements, and documentation.
    • Identify subtle abnormalities in specimens that may have diagnostic significance.
  3. Multitasking and Time Management
    • Prioritize tasks effectively in high-volume or fast-paced environments.
    • Manage multiple cases simultaneously while ensuring quality and precision.
  4. Strong Communication Skills
    • Clearly articulate findings to pathologists and healthcare professionals verbally and in writing.
    • Provide concise, accurate reports and documentation.
  5. Scientific and Technical Knowledge
    • Correlate knowledge of anatomy, pathology, and laboratory procedures to daily tasks.
    • Stay current with advancements in pathology and related technologies.
  6. Judgment and Decision-Making
    • Determine when to escalate complex cases to a pathologist for review.
    • Exercise discretion in handling sensitive patient information.
  7. Teaching and Mentorship
    • Effectively convey technical knowledge to students, residents, and lab staff.
    • Adapt teaching methods to different learning styles.
  1. Manual Dexterity and Fine Motor Skills
    • Perform precise dissections using fine motor skills with scalpels, forceps, and other instruments.
    • Handle small or delicate tissue specimens without causing damage or losing tissue.
  2. Standing and Mobility
    • Stand for extended periods (several hours) during specimen grossing, frozen section procedures, or autopsies.
    • Move freely around the laboratory and autopsy suite, including lifting specimens onto workstations or lifting bodies during autopsies.
  3. Strength and Lifting Ability
    • Lift and maneuver specimens, equipment, and bodies, sometimes exceeding 50 lbs. with assistance.
    • Use mechanical aids or team lifting techniques when necessary.
  4. Visual Acuity
    • Distinguish fine details in tissues, both with the naked eye and under magnification.
    • Accurately assess color, texture, and other subtle characteristics.
  5. Stamina and Endurance
    • Perform repetitive tasks for long periods without a decline in precision or concentration.
    • Adapt to physically demanding tasks during grossing and autopsies, including body positioning and organ removal.
  6. Exposure Tolerance
    • Work in environments with exposure to biological hazards, chemicals, and strong odors.
    • Wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as gloves, masks, gowns, and face shields for extended periods of time.
  7. Hand-Eye Coordination
    • Synchronize movements when dissecting, performing frozen section procedures, or using laboratory tools, ensuring precision and safety.
  8. Hearing and Verbal Communication
    • Respond to verbal instructions in busy or noisy laboratory settings.
    • Communicate effectively even when wearing PPE that may muffle speech.
  1. Emotional Stability and Stress Management
  • Maintain composure during exposure to human tissue, trauma, and post-mortem examinations.
  • Handle high-pressure situations, including stat frozen section procedures and large workloads.
  • Adapt to unexpected changes in the work environment or case complexity.

2. Professionalism

  • Exhibit integrity, confidentiality, and ethical behavior when handling sensitive patient information.
  • Demonstrate a strong work ethic, punctuality, and responsibility in all tasks.
  • Adhere to institutional policies and regulatory guidelines (e.g., HIPAA, CAP).

3. Communication Skills

  • Effectively communicate with pathologists, laboratory staff, and other healthcare professionals.
  • Provide clear and accurate documentation of gross descriptions and findings.
  • Listen and respond appropriately to feedback and instructions.

4. Empathy and Compassion

  • Respect the dignity of patients, including deceased individuals and their families.
  • Approach sensitive situations with care and understanding.

5. Attention to Detail

  • Maintain focus and accuracy when handling specimens to ensure proper identification and processing.
  • Follow protocols meticulously to prevent errors and ensure quality control.

6. Team Collaboration

  • Work cohesively with pathologists, pathologists’ assistants, and laboratory personnel.
  • Share knowledge, assist colleagues, and contribute to a positive work environment.

7. Cultural Sensitivity

  • Respect diverse backgrounds and beliefs when handling patient cases.
  • Recognize and accommodate cultural considerations during autopsies or specimen handling.

 8. Commitment to Lifelong Learning

  • Stay updated on advancements in pathology, technology, and medical standards.
  • Engage in continuing education and professional development.

Why UJ?

  • Gain comprehensive knowledge of pathology, anatomy, surgical techniques, medical correlations. 
  • Develop interpersonal skills for communication with other medical professionals and staff.
  • Prepare for future career development by developing management and teaching skills.

Generous Starting Salary

New PAs make a generous salary immediately following graduation.

Transformational Growth

Students in the PA program are required to perform 50 hours of community service–helping them to make an impact in their community, while transforming as a person and future medical provider.

Small Class Sizes

In a smaller, collegial environment, students will receive individualized attention and support from faculty and their advisor.

Program Objectives and Student Learning Outcomes

The University of Jamestown's Pathologists' Assistant program strives to produce the highest quality Pathologists' Assistant graduates in the country. To this end, our curriculum has been designed to offer a broad education to the prospective student, with the following outcomes:

Students will be able to demonstrate and perform the appropriate anatomic pathology techniques for the preparation, gross description, and dissection of human surgical tissue specimens, to include:

  • Accessioning in laboratory information systems.
  • Recovering from data archives the relevant patient clinical information and history, including scans, x-rays, laboratory data and correlating with pathologic findings
  • Dissection, description, and appropriate submission of gross anatomic features and recognized pathology of surgical specimens.
  • Preparing tissues by appropriate fixation for histological processing prior to examination by light, electron, and immunofluorescence microscopic examination
  • Selecting, preparing, and submitting appropriate tissue samples for frozen section analysis as appropriate and performing the frozen section procedure to prepare a diagnostic slide for Pathologist review.
  • Obtaining appropriate tissue and body fluid samples for ordering special testing as necessary, based on tissue type and pathology present including but not limited to immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and microbiology.
  • Awareness of tissue biorepository regulations and protocols, and ability to correctly obtain permissions, collect and store tissue.
  • Photographing and/or digitizing gross tissue specimens and microscopic slides of embedded sectioned and stained tissue slides
  • Ensuring that all appropriate protocols are followed, that data reports are generated in a timely manner, and that there is adherence to all safety requirements.
  • Knowledge of CPT coding of surgical and autopsy according to AMA and NCCI guidelines.
  • Ensuring that equipment is maintained and that supplies of reagents and disposable are adequate.

Students will be able to demonstrate and perform the appropriate autopsy pathology techniques for the recovery, preparation, gross description and dissection of human organs and tissue specimens, to include:

  • Verifying that proper legal authorization exists and securing copies of same.
  • Obtaining, reviewing, and providing to the Pathologist the patient’s medical record and other pertinent data.
  • Conferring with the Pathologist to identify any special autopsy material required such as for cultures or smears or whether special examination techniques/studies will be used such as immunofluorescence, toxicology, viral or electron microscopic studies.
  • Notifying the physician in charge, the funeral home, and all other appropriate authorities prior to commencing the autopsy; coordinating any requests for special samples of tissues or body fluids.
  • Performing the postmortem examination including, external examination, in situ organ inspection, evisceration, dissection, description and dictation of findings including organ weights, gross anatomic findings, presence or absence of body fluids etc.
  • Selecting, preparing, and submitting appropriate tissue samples for frozen section analysis as appropriate.
  • Selecting, preparing and submitting representative tissue samples for examination by light and electron microscopy.
  • Gathering and organizing clinical information and data necessary for a preliminary summary of the clinical history and formulation of a preliminary anatomic diagnosis in consultation with the pathologist.
  • Preparing the body for release (including a listing of the associated biohazards such as contagious disease, radioactive implants etc.) and releasing the body to the appropriate mortuary or funeral home representative.
  • Assisting in the organization and coordination of Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conferences, Anatomic Pathology Conferences, Grand Rounds, Tumor Boards and wherever autopsy findings are relevant to patient care.

Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing. At the completion of this degree program, the students will:

  • Prepare effective oral presentations supported by appropriate literature research.
  • Generate written communications of all types in a professional manner.
  • Display interpersonal communication skills providing ability to communicate and manage as a mid-level provider with other health care providers, nursing, technicians and staff to provide optimal patient care.

Students will demonstrate the ability to administer a pathology laboratory/autopsy service successfully. By the end of this degree program, the student will:

  • Compile and arrange laboratory goals in a concise and effective manner.
  • Construct and coordinate resources (financial, human, technological, and logistical) for optimal laboratory management.
  • Compose appropriate and correct laboratory procedures.
  • Evaluate the effectiveness of implementation plans and redirect resources as appropriate.

Students will have a basic understanding of teaching pedagogy and an ability to clinically train other health professionals. By the end of this degree program, the student will:

  • Research and develop a professional-level lecture on an assigned subject.
  • Comprehension of educational methodologies and competence to form educational objectives and assessment methods.
  • Recognize different learning styles and correlate appropriate teaching methods.

Required Courses

Year One

Course Title Credits

—

Spring Semester

—

PATH 501

Integrated Anatomy, Pathology, and Embryology 1

6

PATH 521

Anatomical Pathology Techniques 1

3

PATH 514

Procedures Laboratory 1

3

EDUC 522

Principles of Curricular Development and Assessment (8 weeks)

3

CRES 740

Ethics in Clinical Research (8 weeks)

3

—

Summer Semester

—

PATH 502

Integrated Anatomy, Pathology, and Embryology II

6

PATH 522

Anatomical Pathology Techniques II

3

PATH 515

Procedures Laboratory II

2

PATH 574

Pathophysiology

3

PATH 591

Disease Mechanisms I

3

—

Fall Semester

—

PATH 592

Disease Mechanisms II

3

PATH 516

Procedures Laboratory III

2

PATH 565

Clinical Lab Management

3

PATH 578

Human Microanatomy

3

PATH 555

Clinical Immunology and Microbiology (8 weeks)

3

PATH 560

Clinical Pathology (8 weeks)

3

Year Two

Course Title Credits

—

Spring Semester

—

PATH 596

Anatomic Pathology Practicum I

9

PATH 593

Pathology Review I

2

—

Summer Semester

—

PATH 597

Anatomic Pathology Practicum II

9

PATH 594

Pathology Review II

2

—

Fall Semester

—

PATH 598

Anatomic Pathology Practicum III

9

PATH 595

Pathology Review III

2

Total Semester Credits Required: Total Credits: 84

View Course Descriptions

University accreditation
The University of Jamestown is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) and has submitted a substantive change request to the HLC for this program that is pending approval.

Professional accreditation
Professional accreditation for the Pathologists’ Assistant program will be obtained from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). An initial application has been submitted for the program. When this is approved, the program will be given permission to begin the Self-Study.

Upon submission and approval of this comprehensive document, the program will be granted “Serious Applicant” status, allowing students to be eligible to take the ASCP certification exam. This will occur prior to the graduation of the first class.

A Site Visit will occur approximately 6 months after the submission of the Self-Study document. The program documentation will be reviewed by NAACLS and the NAACLS Board of Directors, with the accreditation award announced following the Board of Directors meeting.  Initial programs are eligible for a 5-year award.

NAACLS
5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720
Rosemont, IL  60018-5119
773-714-8880

Latest News

View All News & Blog Articles
Sir Jimmie Blog

What is a Pathologists’ Assistant?

Apr 28, 2025

Pathologists’ Assistants (PAs) are mid-level health care professionals (analogous to Physician’s Associates) working in the Department of Pathology, specializing in surgical and autopsy pathology, under the supervision of a medical…

We’re all about making your education affordable.

We believe every student, regardless of their financial situation, should have access to a UJ Accelerated education. In fact, 50% of our graduate students receive financial aid.

Financial Aid