College of Science and Health > Student Resources > Office of Advising & Student Services > Pre-Health Advising > Health Careers > Pathologists' Assistant

Pathologists' Assistant

A pathologists' assistant is an intensively trained master's level 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 physician assistants carry out their duties under the direction of physicians in surgical and medical practice. Pathologists' assistants contribute to the overall efficiency of the laboratory or pathology practice in a cost-effective manner by performing a variety of tasks, consisting primarily of gross examination of surgical pathology specimens and performance of autopsies.

This exciting health care specialty is rapidly becoming recognized across the nation as preparing professionals who may have administrative, research and educational capabilities, as well as being able to provide essential anatomic pathology laboratory services.

American Association of Pathologists' Assistants

Currently, there is no centralized application system. Students who are interested in applying to a pathologists' assistant program must apply directly to each individual school.

Typically pathologists' assistant programs will require students to take the Graduate Records Examination (GRE). However, students should check with each individual school to learn their specific requirements. 

The GRE costs $205.00.


Graduate Records Examination

PowerPrep II Software (Free)

Kaplan

Princeton Review

It is important for students to check each school's requirements carefully as some schools will require courses not listed below. For more information about a specific program, please contact the school directly.

Course  
General Biology with lab 1 year
Microbiology 1 quarter
General chemistry with lab 1 year
Organic chemistry with lab 1-2 quarters
College-level math 1 quarter
English 1 quarter

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Indiana University

Students should meet with their academic advisor and pre-health advisor each quarter to make sure they are taking the correct courses for their major/professional interest. 


Below is a sample timeline for a Health Sciences major. Please be aware that Pathologists' Assistant programs do not require or prefer any specific major and the below timeline should not be used to replace meeting with an academic advisor. 


Students should meet with their academic advisor and pre-health advisor each quarter to ensure they are taking the correct courses for their major/professional interest. Below is a sample timeline, and it should not be used to replace meeting with an academic advisor.

Accelerated 3+ pathologists' assistant program with Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science is only available to Pathways Honors students majoring in Health Sciences.

BS to MS 3+ Accelerated Pathologist's Assistant Flyer

Shadowing - How to Begin

1. Contact your local professional school and ask if they have alumni who may be willing to allow shadowing. 

Unfortunately, because pathologists' assistant programs do not have a centralized application system, Pre-Health Advising is unable to track DePaul graduates who matriculate into pathologists' assistant programs.

National Cumulative GPA: 3.45

National Science GPA: 3.32

Graduate Records Examination (GRE) - 60th percentile or higher

It is important for students to check each school's requirements carefully as some schools will require information not listed above. For more information about a specific program, please contact the school directly.