Pathology & Laboratory Medicine Academic Programs

The objective of the graduate program is to provide students with opportunities to study the cellular and molecular mechanisms of human diseases through didactic teaching and research training. We have developed two Master of Science (MS) programs, which are designed not only to enhance the academic credentials for individuals wishing to pursue a career in a health-related science, but also to ease the transition to medical/graduate school.

The Tulane National Primate Research Center offers DVMs an opportunity to complete a PhD while conducting research on their campus. Please contact Dr. Jay Rappaport, the Director of the Tulane National Primate Research Center for more information.

We offer combined, integrated training in anatomic and clinical pathology.  The goal of our pathology resident program is to provide flexible training experiences that will prepare pathologists for successful careers in academic pathology or community practice. 

Our pathology residency program is a vibrant part of the department and our residents play a key role in patient care, education, and research.  Our strengths range from diagnostic surgical pathology and subspecialty training, to technologically advanced computerized clinical laboratories and molecular pathology at the modern Tulane University Hospital.  Our teaching faculty provide many opportunities for individual training across a wide range of areas of pathology, centralized on a health sciences center campus in the heart of a vibrant metropolitan community.  We strive for excellence and balance between diagnostic and investigative pathology. Our goal is to prepare pathologists for the challenges of a lifetime of professional growth.  Residents are accepted into the pathology program each year through the National Residency Matching Program (NRMP). Our graduates successfully obtain quality fellowships and you should expect these opportunities to be available should you complete residency training with us.

Pathology Residency-Physician Scientist Training Program (PR-PSTP)
A 4-year combined Anatomic Pathology Residency-Physician Scientist Training Program (PR-PSTP) is developed under the concept of Physician-Scientist Training Program with an emphasis on Pathology aspect. The intent of this program is to facilitate strong biomedical research opportunities balanced with a long history of excellence in anatomic pathology training at Tulane University. The program is flexible in accommodating individual needs and training goals. At the completion of training, the trainee will be prepared to pursue a career as both a scientist and a board-certified pathologist.

Cytopathology - The cytopathology training program is a one-year ACGME approved program designed to provide the fellow with the necessary opportunities, experience and background to become proficient in all aspects of cytopathology. 

Dermatopathology - The program is designed for individuals with a background in pathology or dermatology for a career in dermatopathology. This is achieved principally through daily rotation between dermatopathology and dermatology or anatomic pathology disciplines based on the trainee's background.

Hematopathology - The hematopathology fellowship program is a one-year training program, fully accredited by the ACGME, and currently offers 1 positions annually for those at a level PGY IV or above. Training occurs predominantly at the Tulane clinical laboratory, under supervision by the TMC hematopathology faculty.

The individual research laboratories offer post-doctoral fellowships. The trainees undertake a major research project under the guidance of the principal investigator of the laboratory.  As part of this process the fellows learn the field that they are researching in depth. They are taught how to carry out a successful research program.  This includes the teaching of methodology, and how to formulate hypotheses, design well-controlled experiments and critically evaluate results. Fellows are taught how to write manuscripts and give scientific presentations. They are required to present their results in the weekly departmental research seminars. They are expected to attend the departmental research seminars and ground rounds as well as the research meetings of their individual laboratories. The goal at the end of the training period is that fellows are prepared to conduct an independent research program and to successfully obtain research support.