Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant Studies

Pathologists’ assistants are highly trained health professionals who assist in making medical diagnoses. Under the supervision of pathologists, pathologists’ assistants are responsible for the macroscopic examination of surgical specimens, postmortem examinations in hospital and forensic settings and research. If your medical interests lean towards the laboratory and research opportunities, this exciting and fast-growing field may be for you.

The U. S. Bureau of Labor Statistics forecasts a 30% growth in this field between 2020 and 2030. Pathologists’ Assistants can be found in a variety of settings, including community hospitals, universities, private groups, laboratories and medical examiner offices.

$103,000 Median Starting Salary

30% job growth Forecasted between 2020 and 2030

About the Program

Carroll University’s Master of Science in Pathologists’ Assistant Studies program is a two-year, 100-credit program. Classroom and lab instruction in year one is followed by clinical rotation internships in year two through Carroll’s broad network of partner institutions such as hospitals, medical centers, clinics, and medical examiners.

Mission Statement

To produce pathologists’ assistants trained to practice in a dynamic healthcare environment as highly qualified advanced practitioners in anatomic pathology. To achieve this mission, the program acknowledges the pathologists’ assistant as a member of the interprofessional health care team, the need to provide appropriate care to all populations and grounding in the Carroll liberal arts tradition.

Student graduation, attrition, certification, and placement rate data will be available after the first cohort graduates in May 2026.

Program Goals

To develop highly skilled pathologists’ assistants who are prepared using an interdisciplinary approach and who:

demonstrate the medical knowledge to provide optimal patient care
develop the ability to effectively communicate with other medical professionals within the laboratory, in the hospital system, and external clinical institutions
possess the ability to appropriately navigate medical information systems while maintaining protected healthcare information and then apply the complex health history to a subsequent diagnosis

See Tuition and Fees for Graduate Programs

Clinical Affiliates

Boston Children's Hospital
Boston, MA
Children's Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI
Houston Methodist Hospital
Houston, TX
Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office
Harvey, LA
Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office
Biloxi, MS
North Shore Pathologists (Ascension)
Milwaukee, WI
Ochsner Medical Center
New Orleans, LA
Regions Hospital (HealthPartners)
St. Paul, MN
SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital
Madison, WI
UnityPoint Health- Trinity Rock Island
Rock Island, IL
University Medical Center New Orleans
New Orleans, LA
University of California
San Francisco, CA
University of Kansas Medical Center
Kansas City, KS
Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Nashville, TN
Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories (WDL) – Froedtert/Medical College of Wisconsin
Milwaukee, WI

“I am grateful for the good days and the tough ones, because the struggles have forced me to develop and expand these skills”

— Hannah Wickert

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State-of-the-Art Facilities

The Michael and Mary Jaharis Science Laboratories bring state-of-the-art technology and resources to many of Carroll's programs, including Pathologists’ Assistant Studies. A modern cadaver dissection lab provides real-world research experiences, supplemented by computer-aided dissections through the use of the Anatomage dissection table. Students will receive access paid by the program to utilize the Complete Anatomy application. To enhance group learning, students can project from their devices to the several television monitors mounted throughout the classrooms. Anatomical models and laboratory materials are easily accessible through a large storage/preparation room dedicated to anatomy and physiology.

Accreditation Information

Visit https://naacls.org/contact or contact info@naacls.org for more information.

Carroll University has received approval from the Higher Learning Commission (HLC) to offer the Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant Studies program.

Carroll University is currently seeking accreditation from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS) for the Master of Science in Pathologists’ Assistant Studies (MSPAS) Program. Carroll University's MSPAS Program has been awarded "Serious Applicant" status, and students are permitted to sit for the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) Certification Exam, which is required for employment and is taken through the ASCP following completion of the PathA program.

Passing the external certification examination is not required for earning MSPAS degree from Carroll University.