Department website: https://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/pa/
Degree Offered
- Master of Health Science (MHS)
The Profession
A pathologists’ assistant is a healthcare professional who is qualified through academic and practical training to provide services in anatomic pathology under the direction of a qualified pathologist. Pathologists’ assistants serve as physician-extenders in the same manner as physician assistants. The addition of pathologists’ assistants to the pathology team can reduce cost, increase revenue, and improve workflow in the anatomic pathology lab. In practice, pathologists’ assistants (PAs) are responsible for the processing of the surgical pathology specimen from receipt to dissection and description to submission of tissue to histology. In autopsy practice, the PA is involved in reviewing the medical record of the decedent, evisceration, dissection, and selection of tissue for submission to histology as well as formulation of a preliminary anatomic diagnosis and autopsy report under the direction of a pathologist. Many PAs are involved in laboratory management, teaching at the university level, training of residents and medical students, forensic investigation, or research.
Nature of Program
The graduate program for pathologists’ assistants began in January 2008 and is administered by the School of Medicine. Students are admitted into the Master of Health Science program after earning a baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited college or university. Students with a cumulative grade point average of 3.25 or higher in the BS degree program in Medical Laboratory Science at West Virginia University may be provisionally admitted directly into the pathologists’ assistant program at the end of their junior year.
This program is a twenty-four month master’s-level program that prepares graduates as allied health professionals for careers as pathologists’ assistants. During the second year, the student receives both didactic instruction and practical experience. Students receive practical experience at several of the program’s affiliated medical facilities, which are listed on the departmental website.
Certification
Graduates are eligible for certification by the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP). Graduation is not contingent upon passing the certification exam.
Pathologists’ Assistant Program Essential Functions
In accordance with Section 504 of the 1973 Vocational Rehabilitation Act, the West Virginia University Pathologists’ Assistant program has adopted minimum technical standards for assessment of all applicants.
Because the master’s degree in health science/pathologists’ assistant signifies that the holder has obtained minimum competencies in all areas of the anatomic pathology laboratories, it follows that graduates must have the knowledge and skills to function in a wide variety of laboratory situations and to perform a wide variety of procedures. A detailed list of these essential functions can be found on the departmental website.
When an applicant does not meet a non-academic standard as defined in the list of essential functions, and when this would, in the professional judgment of the committee, not satisfy the pathologists’ assistant objectives for the student in performing laboratory procedures, education, and research, such opinion will be documented by the Admissions Committee.
The questions are not designed to disqualify an applicant but rather to give the Admissions Committee more complete information about an applicant’s ability to meet the following nonacademic standards:
- Is the candidate able to observe demonstrations and perform procedures in the basic sciences and clinical courses?
- Is the candidate able to analyze, synthesize, solve problems, and make judgments about results obtained on patient specimens?
- Does the candidate have sufficient use of the senses of vision, hearing, and somatic sensation necessary to perform the indicated laboratory procedures?
- Can the candidate reasonably be expected to communicate the results of laboratory tests to other members of the healthcare team with accuracy, clarity, and efficiency?
- Can the candidate reasonably be expected to learn and perform laboratory tests and operate instruments?
- Can the candidate reasonably be expected to display good judgment in the analysis of procedure results?
- Can the candidate reasonably be expected to accept criticism and respond by appropriate modification of behavior?
- Can the candidate reasonably be expected to possess the perseverance, diligence, and consistency to complete the pathologists’ assistant program and to become a practicing pathologists’ assistant?
Administration
Program Director
- Michelle M. Costas - MHS, PA(ASCP) (Quinnipiac University)
Assistant Professor
Clinical Coordinator
- Justin Falcon - MHS, PA(ASCP) (West Virginia University)
Assistant Professor
Faculty
Assistant Professors
- Carie Boykin - MHS, PA(ASCP) (West Virginia University)
- Michelle M. Costas - MHS, PA(ASCP) (Quinnipiac University)
Program Director - Justin Falcon - MHS, PA(ASCP) (West Virginia University)
Clinical Coordinator - Miranda Janucik - MHS, PA(ASCP) (West Virginia University)
- Samantha Pan - MHS, PA(ASCP) (West Virginia University)
- Hannah Smith - MHS, PA(ASCP) (West Virginia University)
Adjunct Instructor
- Alyssa Hoffman - MHS, PA(ASCP) (West Virginia University)
Admissions
All students seeking admission to the Master of Health Science, Pathologists’ Assistant program must meet the following admissions requirements:
- Hold an earned baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited institution of higher education
- Successfully complete the specific prerequisite coursework in mathematics and sciences
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale)
- Submit two letters of recommendation electronically, as part of the application
- Complete a shadowing experience with a certified PA in surgical pathology or have equivalent work experience
- Complete an interview with the admissions committee
- Submit an electronic admissions packet including the application form, personal statement, essential functions form, shadowing statement, and official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended
Requirements
Requirement | Description |
---|---|
College Prep | Baccalaureate Degree |
Prerequisite Courses | 8 hours of Biology with laboratory |
Prerequisite Courses | 3-4 hours of Human Anatomy |
Prerequisite Courses | 8 hours of College Chemistry with lab |
Prerequisite Courses | 3-4 hours of Organic Chemistry (CHEM 231 at WVU) or 3-4 hours of Biochemistry |
Prerequisite Courses | 3-4 hours of Microbiology, Immunology, Parasitology, or Virology |
Prerequisite Courses | 3 hours of college Algebra or higher |
Prerequisite Courses | 3 hours of English Composition or higher |
Grade Point Average required | 3.0 cumulative |
Grade Point Average preferred | 3.0 in the prerequisite courses |
Recommendations | Two letters of recommendation |
Interview | A personal interview with the Pathologists’ Assistant Program Admissions Committee |
Shadowing or Work Experience
Applicants must complete a shadowing experience with a practicing pathologists’ assistant in surgical pathology or have applicable work experience in surgical or autopsy pathology. A statement regarding this experience is required in the application packet. Please contact the program specialist for assistance if necessary.
Admissions Classifications
Students must have a baccalaureate degree prior to beginning the professional sequence. However, the program has established the following admissions classifications:
- Direct Admit: a limited number of students completing the bachelor of science program in Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics with an emphasis in either Medical Laboratory Science or Histotechnology who have a cumulative GPA of 3.25 may apply to the Master of Health Science, Pathologists’ Assistant Program at the end of their junior year. These students will be admitted into the program after completing the BS in Medical Laboratory Science at West Virginia University.
- Regular Decision: a student applies in the admission cycle during their senior year.
Typically, applications will be submitted in the application period which extends from January 1 to April 30 of the senior year. Admission is contingent upon satisfactory completion of the baccalaureate degree.
Performance Standards
Students are required to maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 to progress in the first and second year of the professional program.
Application Procedure
Each year, the pathologists’ assistant program selects a limited number of students from the applications received for admission. Applications for admission to the program are available between December 1 and March 15 for the class beginning the following January. The application fee is sixty dollars. A completed admissions packet contains the following: completed application form (electronic), personal and shadowing statements, official transcripts, two recommendation letters, and the signed essential functions form. Each applicant must arrange for transcripts to be sent directly from all institutions attended to the Office of Graduate Admissions. When the application is complete, the file is sent to the Pathologists’ Assistant Admissions Committee. Recommendation letters can be from faculty in a pre-requisite course, a lab professional with whom the applicant has worked, current employer, or professional peer. Interviews are granted to qualified applicants after the committee has reviewed the completed admissions packet.
Admission Requirements 2024-2025
The Admission Requirements above will be the same for the 2024-2025 Academic Year.
Major Code: 8357
Degree Requirements
Code | Title | Hours |
---|---|---|
MICB 702 | Microbiology | 5 |
PA 507 | Human Anatomy 1 | 3 |
PALM 465 | Medical Laboratory Management | 2 |
PA 527 | Human Anatomy 2 | 3 |
PALM 605 | Advanced Microanatomy | 2 |
PALM 610 | Pathology Assistant Education Methods | 1 |
PALM 620 | Clinical Pathology Seminar | 2 |
PALM 625 | Anatomical Pathology Techniques | 4 |
PALM 627 | Pathology Assistant Practicum 1 | 9 |
PALM 628 | Pathology Assistant Practicum 2 | 9 |
PALM 629 | Pathologists' Assistant Practicum 3 | 7 |
PALM 630 | Pathology Review 1 | 2 |
PALM 631 | Pathology Review 2 | 2 |
PSIO 743 | Fundamentals of Physiology | 5 |
PALM 648 | Surgical and Autopsy Pathology Procedures | 3 |
PALM 750 | Systemic Pathology for Pathologists' Assistant Students | 6 |
PALM 650 | Introduction to Disease Mechanisms | 4 |
PALM 652 | Histology for Pathologists' Assistants | 3 |
PALM 600 | Pathologists' Assistant Microanatomy | 2 |
Total Hours | 74 |
Suggested Plan of Study
First Year | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
MICB 702 | 5 | PA 507 | 3 | PALM 620 | 2 |
PSIO 743 | 5 | PALM 600 | 2 | PALM 750 | 6 |
PALM 465 | 2 | PALM 625 | 4 | PA 527 | 3 |
PALM 605 | 2 | PALM 610 | 1 | ||
PALM 648 | 3 | PALM 650 | 4 | ||
PALM 652 | 3 | ||||
17 | 17 | 11 | |||
Second Year | |||||
Fall | Hours | Spring | Hours | Summer | Hours |
PALM 629 | 7 | PALM 627 | 9 | PALM 628 | 9 |
PALM 631 | 2 | PALM 630 | 2 | ||
9 | 11 | 9 | |||
Total credit hours: 74 |
Graduation Requirements
Students are required to maintain an overall GPA of at least 3.0 as a graduate student while enrolled in the pathologists’ assistant program. A minimum 3.0 GPA is required to graduate from the program.
Major Learning Outcomes
Pathologists' Assistant
The Pathologists' Assistant Program prepares students to be highly skilled allied health professionals providing services in both surgical and autopsy pathology. Individuals are prepared both academically and professionally to be contributing members of the healthcare team.
Graduates will:
- Demonstrate proficiency in surgical pathology
- Distinguish between normal and abnormal tissue both grossly and microscopically
- Choose the appropriate tissue to submit based on clinical history
- Gross complex surgical cases using the most recent cancer staging protocols
- Choose the appropriate stains - routine, special, or IHC, - to assist the pathologist in making a diagnosis
- Demonstrate proficiency in autopsy pathology
- Perform an autopsy using different techniques
- Gather pertinent clinical history and all necessary documentation for a case
- Compose a gross description for the autopsy report
- Select tissue for processing
- Demonstrate concepts in medical laboratory management
- Apply management principles to regulation and professional oversight
- Compare healthcare delivery systems
- Discuss ethical principles and decision making
- Identify basic management concepts, functions, and styles
- Determine a differential diagnosis for tumors based on gross appearance and clinical history
- Engage in activities and behavior that promote the profession and positively represent the program
- Instruct residents, medical students, and other health professionals in surgical and autopsy techniques