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.

Macroscopic image of a organ biopsy
$103,000Median Starting Salary
Student working on a cadaver in the lab
30% job growthForecasted 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.

Carroll students getting hands on experience in the classroom.

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:

  1. demonstrate the medical knowledge to provide optimal patient care
  2. develop the ability to effectively communicate with other medical professionals within the laboratory, in the hospital system, and external clinical institutions
  3. 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
  • Jefferson Parish Coroner's Office Harvey, LA
  • Ochsner Medical Center New Orleans, LA
  • UnityPoint Health- Trinity Rock Island Rock Island, IL
  • University of Kansas Medical Center Kansas City, KS
  • Children's Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI
  • Mississippi State Medical Examiner's Office Biloxi, MS
  • Regions Hospital (HealthPartners) St. Paul, MN
  • University Medical Center New Orleans New Orleans, LA
  • Vanderbilt University Medical Center Nashville, TN
  • Houston Methodist Hospital Houston, TX
  • North Shore Pathologists (Ascension) Milwaukee, WI
  • SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital Madison, WI
  • University of California San Francisco, CA
  • Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories (WDL) – Froedtert/Medical College of Wisconsin Milwaukee, WI

 

Connect with Us

Dave Buehler
Dave Buehler

Join us for an event! 
Whether you're interested in attending an in-person open house, joining a virtual information session, or scheduling a one-on-one meeting with our graduate admission counselor, Dave Buehler, we offer several ways to learn more about the program and get your questions answered.

Find Your Fit: Events & Personalized Meetings

State-of-the-Art Facilities

Students learning through hands on experiences in Carroll's cadaver lab.
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

NAACLS logo
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.

  • NAACLS Address:
    • 5600 N. River Rd. Suite 720
    • Rosemont, IL
    • 60018-5119

Resources

Faculty


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