Pathologists' Assistant, Master's Health Science (MHS)

Overview

Mission Statement

The mission of the University of Jamestown Pathologists' Assistant program is to educate and empower future healthcare professionals to excel in the field of anatomic pathology. Through rigorous academic training, hands-on clinical experiences, and a commitment to ethical and professional standards, our program prepares students to contribute to diagnostic medicine in an evolving health care system. Our program strives to foster critical thinking, technical expertise, and a lifelong dedication to learning, ensuring our graduates are equipped to meet the evolving challenges of working as part of the diverse diagnostic health care team.

Program Philosophy

The University of Jamestown Pathologists' Assistant program has a philosophy established in the belief that excellence in education, technical proficiency, and ethical practice are fundamental to the practice of a competent Pathologists' Assistant. We are committed to providing an environment that nurtures curiosity, accuracy, and a deep respect for human diversity and dignity. Via a student-centered approach, we emphasize critical thinking, life-long learning, and interdisciplinary collaboration to prepare graduates who are skilled practitioners and compassionate professionals. Our program upholds the highest standards of integrity and innovation, empowering students to make contributions to patient diagnostics and scientific research.

Accreditation and Certification

Accreditation

In 2025, the University of Jamestown Master's in Health Science Pathologists' Assistant program will begin the professional accreditation process through the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS: https://www.naacls.org). Immediately, a Letter of Intent and Program Director approval documents will be submitted with a preliminary report. A comprehensive Self-Study is then submitted, with the students eligible to take the national certification exam upon submission of this document (approximately 1.5 years), occurring prior to graduation of the first cohort. A team of Site Visitors then reviews the program, students, and faculty on-site, followed by a tiered approval process by NAACLS. The maximum accreditation award for initial programs is 5 years.

The curricular and clinical content of the University of Jamestown Pathologists' Assistant program adhere to the NAACLS standards requirements to ensure the program graduates students with basic technical knowledge and skills to practice as a Pathologists' Assistant.

Certification

The American Society of Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) holds the nationally recognized certification for Pathologists' Assistants. The curriculum and clinical experiences are based on the requirements of the content of the certification exam, with preparation for the certification exam in the clinical year of the program. Students are assisted with the application to and scheduling of the exam in the final months of the clinical year.

Successful completion of the University of Jamestown Master's in Health Science Pathologists' Assistant is separate from and not contingent upon passing the ASCP BOC certification exam. Conferment of the degree is based solely on the student's completion of the program requirements.

Admission

Admissions requirements

• Provide transcripts with a conferred bachelor’s degree from an accredited U.S. or Canadian college or university.
• Provide three letters of recommendation that indicate a strong academic background and professional readiness.
• Interview, if deemed necessary
• Completion of a UJ graduate application, including personal statement and shadowing statement, and submit application fee.
• Regardless of nationality or citizenship, an applicant whose native language is not English or whose secondary education has been given outside the United States, is required to pass a test of English proficiency. Test results/scores are to be sent directly to UJ from the testing service. TOEFL scores are valid for two years from the test dates.
• Minimum GPA of 3.0. Students with a lower undergraduate degree GPA may be considered with further graduate-level education or other circumstances demonstrating academic competence.
• Applicants must complete a shadowing experience with a practicing Pathologists’ Assistant or have applicable work experience in Surgical or Autopsy Pathology. A statement regarding this experience is required in the application. There is no set number of hours that applicants need to shadow. Rather, it is expected that the applicant gains enough knowledge to articulate in writing (and verbally if invited for an interview) the experience of shadowing and the typical responsibilities of a Pathologists’ Assistant.
• Completion of listed pre-requisites in or in addition to baccalaureate degree:
  • Biology (with laboratory): 8 semester hours
  • General Chemistry (with laboratory): 8 semester hours
  • Organic Chemistry I/II (with laboratory) 8 semester hours
  • Biochemistry (with laboratory): 4 semester hours
  • Microbiology (with laboratory): 4 semester hours
  • College algebra or above: 3 hours
  • English composition or equivalent: 3 hours

 

Program Costs

PGY1:

Spring Semester:

Tuition: 17 credits: ($650/cr): $11,050.00

Fees: (PATH 501): 750.00

(PATH 514): 500.00

Total: $12,300.00

Summer Semester:

Tuition: 17 credits: ($650/cr): $11,050.00

Fees: (PATH 501): 750.00

(PATH 515): 500.00

Total: $12,300.00

Fall Semester:

Tuition: 17 credits: ($650/cr): $11,050.00

Fees: (PATH 516) 500.00

Total: $11,550.00

 

PGY 1 Total: $36,150.00

 

PGY2:

Spring Semester:

Tuition: 11 Credits:($650/cr): $7,150.00

Summer Semester:

Tuition: 11 Credits: ($650/cr): $7,150.00

Fall Semester:

Tuition: 11 Credits: ($650/cr): $7,150.00

PGY 2 Total: $21,450.00

Program Tuition and Fees Total: $57,600.00

Outcomes

Pathologists’ Assistant Program Learning Outcomes

The University of Jamestown's Pathologists' Assistant program strives to produce the highest quality Pathologists' Assistant graduates in the country. To this end, our curriculum has been designed to offer a broad education to the prospective student, with the following outcomes:

Outcome 1: Students will be able to demonstrate and perform the appropriate anatomic pathology techniques for the preparation, gross description and dissection of human surgical tissue specimens, to include:

• Accessioning in laboratory information systems.
• Recovering from data archives the relevant patient clinical information and history, including scans, x-rays, laboratory data and correlate with pathologic findings
• Dissection, description, and appropriate submission of gross anatomic features and recognized pathology of surgical specimens.
• Preparing tissues by appropriate fixation for histological processing prior to examination by light, electron and immunofluorescence microscopic examination
• Selecting, preparing and submitting appropriate tissue samples for frozen section analysis as appropriate and performing the frozen section procedure to prepare a diagnostic slide for Pathologist review.
• Obtaining appropriate tissue and body fluid samples for ordering special testing as necessary, based on tissue type and pathology present including but not limited to immunofluorescence, flow cytometry, cytogenetics, and microbiology.
• Awareness of tissue biorepository regulations and protocols, and ability to correctly obtain permissions, collect and store tissue.
• Photographing and/or digitizing gross tissue specimens and microscopic slides of embedded sectioned and stained tissue slides
• Ensuring that all appropriate protocols are followed, that data reports are generated in a timely manner and that there is adherence to all safety requirements
• Knowledge of CPT coding of surgical and autopsy according to AMA and NCCI guidelines.
• Ensuring that equipment is maintained and that supplies of reagents and disposable are adequate

Outcome 2: Students will be able to demonstrate and perform the appropriate autopsy pathology techniques for the recovery, preparation, gross description and dissection of human organs and tissue specimens, to include:

• Verifying that proper legal authorization exists and securing copies of same.
• Obtaining, reviewing, and providing to the Pathologist the patient’s medical record and other pertinent data.
• Conferring with the Pathologist to identify any special autopsy material required such as for cultures or smears or whether special examination techniques/studies will be used such as immunofluorescence, toxicology, viral or electron microscopic studies
• Notifying the physician in charge, the funeral home, and all other appropriate authorities prior to commencing the autopsy; coordinating any requests for special samples of tissues or body fluids
• Performing the postmortem examination including, external examination, in situ organ inspection, evisceration, dissection, description and dictation of findings including organ weights, gross anatomic findings, presence or absence of body fluids etc.
• Selecting, preparing and submitting appropriate tissue samples for frozen section analysis as appropriate
• Selecting, preparing and submitting representative tissue samples for examination by light and electron microscopy
• Gathering and organizing clinical information and data necessary for a preliminary summary of the clinical history and formulation of a preliminary anatomic diagnosis in consultation with the pathologist.
• Preparing the body for release (including a listing of the associated biohazards such as contagious disease, radioactive implants etc.) and releasing the body to the appropriate mortuary or funeral home representative
• Assisting in the organization and coordination of Morbidity and Mortality (M&M) conferences, Anatomic Pathology Conferences, Grand Rounds, Tumor Boards and wherever autopsy findings are relevant to patient care

Outcome 3: Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing. At the completion of this degree program, the students will:

• Prepare effective oral presentations supported by appropriate literature research
• Generate written communications of all types in a professional manner
• Display interpersonal communication skills providing ability to communicate and manage as a mid-level provider with other health care providers, nursing, technicians and staff to provide optimal patient care in an ethical manner.

Outcome 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to administer a pathology laboratory/autopsy service successfully. By the end of this degree program, the student will:

• Compile and arrange laboratory goals in a concise and effective manner.
• Construct and coordinate resources (financial, human, technological, and logistical) for optimal laboratory management.
• Compose appropriate and correct laboratory procedures
• Evaluate the effectiveness of implementation plans and redirect resources as appropriate.
• Promote a diverse and accepting work environment
• Administer and operate a laboratory in an ethical manner

Outcome 5: Students will have a basic understanding of teaching pedagogy and an ability to clinically train other health professionals. By the end of this degree program, the student will:

• Research and develop a professional-level lecture on an assigned subject
• Develop a comprehension of educational methodologies and competence to form educational objectives and assessment methods.
• Recognize different learning styles and correlate appropriate teaching methods