Drexel University College of Medicine: Education: Biomedical Graduate Studies: Programs: PathA

Biomedical Graduate Studies

Master of Science in Pathologists’ Assistant (PathA)

Program Overview

The demand for qualified Pathologists’ Assistants is growing every year. Increasing pressures on healthcare systems to control costs have led to an increasing reliance on allied health personnel and physician extenders in the practice of medicine, in particular Pathology and Laboratory Medicine. In addition, the manpower shortages facing laboratories nationwide have caused pathologists to critically evaluate their staffing needs in an effort to provide the highest quality laboratory services in a cost effective manner.

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.

We at Drexel University College of Medicine are proud to be at the fore-front of providing a M.S. in Pathologists’ Assistants.

Curriculum
Format
Who should apply?
Admission Requirements
Contact Information

Curriculum

The high degree of responsibility assumed by a Pathologists’ Assistant requires skills, knowledge, and abilities necessary to provide those services appropriate for an anatomic pathology setting.

FIRST YEAR REQUIRED COURSES—SUMMER SEMESTER

Course Number	Course Description	Credits
MSPA 500	Gross Anatomy	5.0
MLAS 545	Histology	2.0
MLAS 531	Embryology	4.0
MSPA 510	Laboratory Management	2.0
MSPA 560	Medical Ethics	2.0
MSPA 520	Medical Terminology	2.0
	TOTAL	17.0

FIRST YEAR REQUIRED COURSES—FALL SEMESTER

Course Number	Course Description	Credits
MSPA 530	Biomedical Photography	4.0
MSPA 540	Histotechnology I	3.0
MMSP-540	Microbiology I	4.0
MMSP-520	Pathology I	6.0
CR 550	Leadership Skills	3.0
	TOTAL	20.0

FIRST YEAR REQUIRED COURSES—SPRING SEMESTER

Course Number	Course Description	Credits
MSPA 550	Applied Anatomic Path.	4.0
MSPA 541	Histotechnology II	3.0
MMSP-541	Microbiology II	3.0
MMSP-521	Pathology II	4.0
MSP-515	Biological Function and Regulation	4.0
	TOTAL	18.0

SECOND YEAR REQUIRED COURSES—SUMMER SEMESTER*

Course Number	Course Description	Credits
MSPA 600	Surgical Pathology I	6.0
MSPA 610	Autopsy Pathology I	6.0
	TOTAL	12

SECOND YEAR REQUIRED COURSES—FALL SEMESTER*

Course Number	Course Description	Credits
MSPA 601	Surgical Pathology II	6.0
MSPA 611	Autopsy Pathology II	6.0
	TOTAL	12

SECOND YEAR REQUIRED COURSES—SPRING SEMESTER*

Course Number	Course Description	Credits
MSPA 602	Surgical Pathology III	6.0
MSPA 612	Autopsy Pathology III	6.0
	TOTAL	12

Grand Total 91.0

*The second year consists of several hospital-based clinical rotations where students will be mentored in the areas of Autopsy and Surgical Pathology in a progressively challenging environment.

Visit http://coreapp1.drexel.edu/webcourses/ to find actual course descriptions.

Please note: courses are subject to change.

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Format

The Master of Science in Pathologist’s Assistant is a two year, full-time program beginning in May of each year.

The first year is the didactic portion of the program supplemented by Pathology laboratory exposure.

The second year will be composed of several hospital-based rotations offering progressively responsible experience in Autopsy and Surgical Pathology. These rotations will be supplemented with formal classroom education.

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Who should Apply?

A Pathologist’s 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 courses and content are ideal for:

Recent graduates with a degree in a biological or allied health science, with exposure to anatomy, physiology and microbiology. Previous exposure to Pathology is recommended

Allied health professionals, in particular cytotechnologists, histotechnologists and medical technologists.

A minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 is required. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) is required.

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Admission Requirements

Students will be selected on the basis of adequate educational background and medical experience. A Bachelor’s Degree in the Health Sciences or related field, with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5, is the minimum requirement for acceptance into the Master’s Degree Program. Prerequisite course work should include microbiology, anatomy, physiology, mathematics, English composition, general chemistry, organic and/or biochemistry and biological science.

All candidates will be required to have a formal interview with the Selection Committee prior to final acceptance. Deadline for submission of the application is April 15 of the year in which the students plan to enroll. The applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision on a rolling basis.

Candidates for admission must provide the following credentials:

Completed application form
Transcript of college academic record
Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores
Two letters of recommendation
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

Applying to the program
The application form is available at the Biomedical Graduate Applications site

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Contact Us

James W. Moore, BA, MHS
Pathologists’ Assistant (FAAPA)
Program Director
1-866-6-BIOMED
james.w.moore@drexel.edu

Maggie Jara
Program Coordinator
Professional Master's Programs
Drexel University College of Medicine
Office of Biomedical Graduate, Post-Graduate & Professional Studies
Mail Stop 1009
245 N. 15th Street
Philadelphia, PA 19102-1192
215.762.2141 phone
215.762.8803 fax
margaret.jara@drexelmed.edu

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