The Pathologists’ Assistant Program at Tulane University School of Medicine is a full-time, two-year professional program leading to a Master of Science degree in Anatomic Pathology. The program admits 8–12 students annually and is designed to prepare graduates for careers as advanced practitioners in anatomic pathology.
The 80-credit-hour curriculum combines didactic coursework and clinical training. In the first year, students focus on foundational sciences and surgical pathology through classroom instruction. Clinical rotations begin during the summer of the first year and continue through the second year, which is dedicated entirely to hands-on clinical training at partner sites across the country.
To meet the demands of a rapidly evolving healthcare system, the program offers an optional curriculum component for high-achieving students. This elective coursework allows students to pursue personal or professional interests aligned with their individual career goals. While available for those seeking additional specialization, these electives are not required for graduation.
Pathologists’ Assistants have a broad and expanding scope of practice. This program is designed to ensure graduates are not only well prepared for immediate entry into the field but also adaptable to future developments in anatomic pathology.
The issuing of the Master's of Science degree in Anatomic Pathology from Tulane University School of Medicine is not contingent upon students passing any type of external certification or licensure examination, including but not limited to the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification Examination for Pathologists’ Assistants.
Year 1
- Spring Semester (January – May)
- Gross Anatomy (4 credits)
- Human Histology (4 credits)
- Physiology (3 credits)
- Surgical Pathology Techniques (4 credits)
- Summer (May – August)
- Autopsy Pathology (3 credits)
- Autopsy Pathology Practicum (1 credit)
- Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques I (4 credits)
- Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques I Lab (2 credits)
- Pathologists’ Assistant Seminar (1 credit)
- Surgical Pathology Practicum (1 credit)
- Mechanisms of Disease I – General Pathology (5 credits)
- Fall (August – December)
- Mechanisms of Disease II – Systemic Pathology (5 credits)
- Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques II (4 credits)
- Advanced Surgical Pathology Techniques II Lab (2 credits)
- Pathologists’ Assistant Seminar (1 credit)
Year 2
- Clinical rotations at various sites including surgical pathology, autopsy pathology, forensic pathology, clinical pathology, hematopathology, cytopathology, pediatric pathology, and digital pathology. Select students may have the option to participate in cancer research or an optional teaching practicum.
Program Mission Statement
The mission of the Pathologists’ Assistant program at Tulane University School of Medicine is to provide an educational foundation in anatomic pathology that enables graduating students to adapt and excel in a continually advancing healthcare system. This program aims to develop allied healthcare professionals that:
- deliver the highest quality patient care
- think, learn, act, and lead with integrity and wisdom
- recognize and respect their responsibilities to patients, patient families, and their communities
- educate the public about the practice of anatomic pathology and serve as stewards of the profession
Program Goals
The goals of the Pathologists’ Assistant Program at Tulane University School of Medicine are to:
- provide the highest quality departmental educational program that results in academically and clinically prepared pathologists’ assistants
- provide extensive didactic and clinical training in accordance with national standards to ensure that all graduates have the ability to provide excellent patient care, serve as leaders in the healthcare profession, and educate their communities about the pathologists’ assistant profession
- provide a flexible curriculum to adapt to students’ individual career goals
- offer highly trained graduates that are prepared for a variety of healthcare settings in anatomic pathology, research, management, and biorepository operations
- offer highly trained graduates that are prepared for teaching positions at academic institutions
- develop graduates with an understanding of the importance of professionalism and ethical behavior
Program Outcomes
The graduate certificate pass rate, graduation rate, and graduate placement rates (as defined by NAACLS), are as follows:
- Graduate Certification Pass Rates:
- 2021: 100%
- 2022: 100%
- 2023: 100%
- Graduation Rate:
- 2021: 100%
- 2022: 100%
- 2023: 80%
- Graduate Placement Rate:
- 2021: 100%
- 2022: 100%
- 2023: 100%
Tuition & Fees
Tuition: $14,166 per semester, plus fees.
A current copy of the Student Handbook can be emailed to potential students upon request. Please direct any questions regarding the program and any requests to PathAssistantProgram@tulane.edu.
