Program Overview

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Pathologists' Assistant (M.S.) Program

The Pathologists' Assistant program at Wayne State University is designed to academically and clinically prepare individuals to assist pathologists in anatomic, surgical, autopsy, and forensic pathology, as well as ancillary services. The program is accredited by the National Accrediting Agency of Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS).

Overview

The program trains individuals to assist pathologists in the performance of postmortem examinations and in the dissection, dictation, and evaluation of surgical specimens for microscopic diagnosis. It also provides individuals with budgetary, supervisory, and teaching skills, enabling them to function as competent entry-level pathologists' assistants.

Admission Requirements

Admission to the program is contingent upon admission to the Graduate School. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree (BA or BS) from an accredited college or university, with a minimum cumulative and prerequisite undergraduate grade point average of 3.0. Additional requirements include:

• Completion of all prerequisite coursework with a minimum of a C or higher
• Submission of two letters of recommendation
• Completion of the TOEFL exam if English is not the first language
• Submission of a WES course-by-course evaluation of foreign transcripts
• Documentation of 8 hours of shadowing experience in a pathology lab setting and 5 hours (or one autopsy) in a medical examiner/coroner setting
• Attendance at one information meeting in the year of application

Admission Interview

Interviews are by invitation only to those candidates who have satisfied all requirements for admission. Meeting the minimum requirements does not ensure an offer for an interview.

General Information Meetings

The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences hosts general information meetings on the first Tuesday of each month at 6:00 p.m.

Prerequisite Study

The following coursework must have been successfully completed with a grade of C or higher:

• Two Biology courses (higher than BIO 1050)
• Microbiology with or without lab
• Anatomy and Physiology with lab
• General Chemistry with lab
• Organic Chemistry with lab
• Mathematics (MAT 1000 or higher) or Statistics
• English Composition

Program Deadlines

The program admits students annually to begin the program's curriculum in the spring semester, which begins in May. All prerequisite coursework must be completed by December 30th for Spring/Summer admission consideration.

Program Requirements

The Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant is offered under a Plan C option and requires completion of 80 credits of coursework. All coursework must be completed in accordance with the academic procedures of the Graduate School governing graduate scholarship and degrees and the College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences.

Full-Time Program

The full-time program is completed in two years and includes:

• Academic Year 1: 45 credits
• Clinical Year 2: 35 credits

Part-Time Program

The part-time program runs for up to 39 months and includes:

• Academic Year 1: 24 credits
• Academic Year 2: 21 credits
• Clinical Year 3: 35 credits

Course List

The program includes a range of courses, such as:

• PAA 5020: Applied General Pathology
• PAA 5050: Clinical Terminology and Methodology I for the Pathologists' Assistant
• PAA 5100: Medical Photography and Techniques in Pathology
• PAA 6560: Human Histology and Clinical Correlations I
• PAA 7060: Human Anatomy and Physiology for Pathologists' Assistants
• PAA 7250: Clinical Pathology I

Background Screen

Admission into the program is conditional until all admitted candidates complete a Background Screen.

Physical Examination

All applicants are required to submit a complete physical examination form to the program, which must include a complete immunization record.

Liability Insurance

Clinical Education is provided during both year I and II of the program, and all students are required to maintain liability insurance.

Faculty

The program is led by a team of experienced faculty, including:

• DONGPING, SHI: M.D., Beijing Medical University; Medical Director
• LESKE, JENNIFER: M.S., Wayne State University; Assistant Professor (Clinical)
• MENDES-KRAMER, VERALUCIA: Ph.D., Wayne State University, M.A., B.A., Madonna University; B.S., Wayne State University; Director