The Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant (PathA) program, combines intense academic studies with one year of clinical education. Students earn a Master of Science that prepares them to work, under the direction of a pathologist, as a highly qualified allied health professional in anatomic pathology laboratories throughout the country.
Learn more about the PathA program
About the Curriculum
Successful completion of the Master of Science in Pathologists’ Assistant program will require three (3) semesters of coursework plus twelve months of clinical education at several of the affiliated clinical sites.
Visit the Drexel University program catalog page for more information
Program News
ABMDI Monthly Newsletter Articles
As part of the Montgomery County Coroner’s Office clinical rotation, PathA students are offered the opportunity to write an article for the ABMDI monthly newsletter. Recent articles available for download include:
- The Fatality of Fentanyl
Madison Manz, Class of 2023, ABMDI Newsletter June 2023
- Spontaneous Abortion and Congenital Heart Defects
Kathryn Orange, Class of 2023, ABDMI Newsletter March 2023
- MicroRNAs and The Potential Use for Wound-age Estimation
Laura McCracken, Class of 2022, ABDMI Newsletter December 2022
- Cholera and Cystic Fibrosis
Kuulei Gaffney, Class of 2023, ABDMI Newsletter December 2022
- Utilization of Pathologists’ Assistants to Alleviate the Burden on Forensic Pathologists
Megan Kwan, Class of 2023, ABDMI Newsletter December 2022
When I learned about the opportunity to become involved in the Graduate Student Association my first year at Drexel, I was so excited! I was even more excited to learn that there was a possible opportunity for the PathA class to utilize some of the GSA funds to host an event. I began to brainstorm ideas about what sort of event may interest our little cohort and, eventually, I decided that the Mütter Museum would be the perfect venue. Read more.
Award for Excellence
The Dean’s Distinguished Award for Excellence in Clinical-Oriented Graduate Programs was received by Cheryl Hanau, MD, professor and Richard Shuman, MD, Chair of the Department of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine and James W. Moore, MHS, PA(ASCP)CM, assistant professor of Pathology & Laboratory Medicine, and director of the Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant (PathA) program.
Dean’s Travel Award
Congratulations to Lauren Nerotto, winner of the Dean’s Travel Award. The Dean’s Travel Award is meant to partially defray the cost of attending a scientific meeting at which a graduate student is making a presentation, or is related to the student’s graduate study.
Online Pathologists' Assistant Conference
Drexel PathA program alum, Ian Sue-Chue-Lam helped organize the 2021 annual Online Pathologists' Assistant Conference, held in June. The event raised over $15,000 for charities combating the COVID-19 pandemic while providing CE credits to pathologists' assistants.
Student and Alumni Testimonials
"I am very happy that I chose Drexel. I enjoy the emphasis on networking and cultivation of interpersonal relationships with students and faculty that this program provides. I truly think it is a great program and it has given me a foundation for my career and support for a smooth transition from classroom to grossing bench." Read more.
"The Pathologists’ Assistant program at Drexel University was the first program I started researching. I liked the location in Philadelphia, as I have both family and friends in that area, and the program staff were very friendly and helpful while I gathered information about the program and through the application process. When I got my acceptance letter, enrolling was a no-brainer." Read more.
"My two years in the program passed by very quickly and in coming to the end of my time at Drexel I can easily say I am very pleased this was the program I chose. Even though the academic year was challenging I felt like it provided me with all the necessary tools going into my clinical year. One thing I really value about Drexel’s program is the ability to have close connections with the teachers." Read more.
Is the Pathologists' Assistant Program Right for Me?
Pathologists' assistant program courses are ideal for:
- College graduates with a degree in a biological or allied health science, with exposure to human anatomy, human physiology and microbiology
- College graduates with the appropriate academic training and previous exposure to pathology
- Cytotechnologists, histotechnologists, medical technologists and other laboratory professionals
- Allied health professionals with the appropriate academic training
- Graduates with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 and General Graduate Record Examination (GRE) or Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores at or above the 50th percentile in all categories
- College graduates or allied health professionals with previous exposure to pathology via work or shadowing experiences
Career Opportunities
Pathologists' assistants are employed in community hospitals, academic centers such as medical schools and university hospitals, private pathology laboratories, medical research centers, government hospitals and medical examiner/coroner offices.
Learn where our graduates go
Opportunity for Alumni
Drexel University’s online Certificate in Medical Billing and Coding for Health Care Professionals offers the opportunity for those working in a laboratory setting as a Histotechnologist or Pathologists’ Assistant to enhance their careers with an 18-credit plan of study certification in medical billing and coding. The skills learned in Drexel’s online Medical Billing and Coding program will prepare you to work with laboratory and hospital administrators to determine relevant workload statistics and assign, capture, and transmit relevant revenue statistics to hospital administrators and third-party payors. Please note, this certificate program can't be taken while enrolled in the PathA program. Learn more.
What Is a Pathologists' Assistant?
A pathologists' assistant is an intensely trained 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 physicians' assistants carry out their duties under the direction of physicians in surgical and medical practice.
A pathologists' assistant is someone who has the ability to relate to people, the capacity for calm and reasoned judgment, and who demonstrates a commitment to quality patient care.