Masters in PathA Q&A

The Master of Science in Pathologists’ Assistant (MS PathA) program through McGovern Medical School will only accept applications submitted through the Centralized Application Service for Advancing Health Professionals. (external link) Our application period opens October 1st and applications are accepted until February 1st.

PathA program interviews take place between February and April. Competitive applicants will be notified via email with specific details regarding their interview offer. Interviews will be held virtually.

Candidates should have a strong background in basic sciences with a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institute of higher education by the time of matriculation. All prerequisites must be completed prior to matriculation, although applications with pending prerequisites will be considered from students currently enrolled in a higher education program. All prerequisites must be completed at a regionally accredited institution of higher education.

Applicants must also demonstrate the interpersonal skills, emotional intelligence, professionalism, adaptability to social cues, and overall demeanor required to navigate the professional and collaborative environments integral to success in the PathA program.

Applicants should be prepared to clearly explain the roles and responsibilities of a Pathologists’ Assistant. To this end, prior PathA shadowing is required.  Although the program does not specify a minimum number of shadowing hours, the experience should provide applicants with a comprehensive understanding of the Pathologists’ Assistant profession.

Acceptance into the program is contingent upon required immunization screening and clearance of a mandatory criminal background check.

The Master of Science in Pathologists’ Assistant (MS PathA) program through McGovern Medical School will matriculate our inaugural class in August 2027. Anticipated class size for our initial class enrollment is 6 students with planned increases in enrollment for up to 15 students per year.

The Master of Science in Pathologists’ Assistant (MS PathA) program through McGovern Medical School has been approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and School Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) (external link). The program has been designed to meet National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) (external link) standards. The program application for NAACLS accreditation will be submitted per the NAACLS timeline to allow for graduating students to be able to apply to take the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP BOC) (external link) credentialing examination.