Program Overview
The aim of the program is to prepare students for a career as a Pathologists' Assistant in a biomedical environment. A Pathologists' Assistant is an intensely trained professional who provides services in anatomic pathology under the supervision of a pathologist; the entire curriculum of the Pathologists' Assistant Program prepares you for the practice of the profession.
The required curriculum includes courses in general pathology, systemic pathology, surgical pathology, clinical pathology, autopsy pathology, lab management, physiology, and structure and function (anatomy training). In keeping with the standards of UMB's Graduate School, the minimum number of credits required for the master's degree in the Pathologists' Assistant Program is 38 credits. The program is structured to comply with both the university standards and those imposed by NAACLS.
Program Goals and Mission
In accordance with the philosophy and purposes of the University of Maryland School of Medicine and School of Graduate Studies, our program is committed to the following:
- To provide a program of instruction at the Master’s degree level which develops competence for practice as a Pathologists’ Assistant
- To encourage the practice of moral and ethical values relating to patient care
- To assist students in developing their level of competence and their analytical decision making, thus preparing them to make appropriate judgments in professional life
- To orient students toward enhancement of critical thinking, problem solving, and skills in oral and written expression
- To provide the opportunity for student participation in a clinical setting designed to offer experiences required of a Pathologists’ Assistant
- To provide and foster student professional development, high standards of achievement, and interactions among other health professionals
- To provide a level of instruction which maintains a progressive and positive educational environment
- To encourage scientific and academic advancement, a commitment to life-long learning, and active participation in professional societies
The Pathologists' Assistant Program at the University of Maryland School of Medicine is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) as meeting the educational requirements to prepare for the profession of Pathologists' Assistant. After completing the program, students earn a Master of Science degree and are eligible to take the American Society of Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Board of Certification examination. Students must determine if ASCP certification is sufficient to authorize professional practice in any state or jurisdiction, or if licensure or other prerequisites are also required to practice the profession.
Professional License or Certification Disclosure
The State of Maryland does not require professional licensure for Pathologists' Assistants. The University has not determined if its program meets the professional licensing or certification requirements of other states or jurisdictions. Each licensing authority sets and enforces its own professional licensing standards. Every student should inquire directly to the licensing authority in the jurisdiction where the student plans to seek licensure in order to determine the mandatory requirements to be licensed to practice.