Pathologists' Assistant Program

Admission Requirements

A bachelor's degree in any science including (but not limited to) pre-professional biology, chemistry, medical technology, histology, forensic sciences and nursing is acceptable to apply to the program.

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Instructions for Online Application

  1. Fill out all general information as instructed.
  2. The personal statement must be between 250-350 words. The personal statement should include how you decided to become a pathologists’ assistant and why you think you are a good fit for our program. Upload the personal statement under the heading “statement of purpose.”
  3. The shadowing statement must be between 150-250 words and is uploaded under “written statement.” It should include:
    • The name of the facility at which you shadowed
    • Contact information of the person you shadowed
    • A summary of the experience
  4. The signed essential functions form can be uploaded with the shadowing statement as one document.  
  5. Upload a CV or resume.
  6. 2 letters of recommendation are required (not 4).
  7. The program DOES NOT REQUIRE A PHOTO ID.
  8. Unofficial transcripts can be sent initially; however, the university must receive the official transcripts before an applicant can be accepted.

Pre-requisite Courses 

  • 8 SH Biology with lab
  • 8 SH College Chemistry with lab
  • 3-4 SH Organic Chemistry or 3-4 SH of Biochemistry (for WVU students Chem 231 fulfills this pre-requisite)
  • 3-4 SH Microbiology, Immunology, Parasitology, or equivalent
  • 3 SH Human Anatomy (can be in combination with physiology)** 
  • 3 SH College Algebra or higher
  • 3 SH English Composition or comparable
  • Applicants must have a "C" or better in all pre-requisite courses

**Students who have not taken anatomy in this application cycle will still be considered. 

Please note: Anatomy will be required for the next application cycle (Dec 2024-Mar 2025).

Recommended coursework includes Medical Terminology.

Grade Point Average 

  • Minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 required.

Recommendations 

Two letters of recommendation are required. The recommendations can come from:

  • Faculty in the pre-requisite course
  • Laboratory professional with whom the applicant has worked
  • Current employer
  • Professional peer

Interview 

Preliminary interviews are offered to qualified individuals and are conducted via teleconference by two or three members of the admissions committee. The admissions committee is comprised of academic and clinical faculty. These interviews will be ongoing throughout the application period. 

A limited number of onsite interviews will be offered after the evaluation of the preliminary interview.  These onsite interviews will be conducted during the two weeks following the close of the application period.

Applicants invited onsite will individually interview with all members of the admissions committee. After interviewing with faculty, the applicant will complete a written component and activity. 

At the conclusion of the written component and activity, there will be a tour of the facilities guided by current students. This provides an opportunity for applicants to ask questions in a more relaxed forum.

Shadowing or Work Experience 

At WVU, we believe that you should have a good overview of a pathologists' assistant career before you dedicate your time and effort to a rigorous program. We require job shadowing with a practicing pathologists' assistant or applicable work experience in surgical or autopsy pathology.

Shadowing in surgical pathology is required.  Shadowing in autopsy is recommended, but not required.  A statement regarding this experience is required in the application packet (see admission requirements). There are no set number of hours in which applicants need to shadow.

What is the objective of shadowing?
The objective of shadowing is to be able to describe the responsibilities of a certified pathologists’ assistant in surgical pathology and autopsy pathology (if possible).  When shadowing, be sure to discuss with your mentor what their regular duties are and what is expected of them on a daily basis. Be sure to inquire about any additional responsibilities they might have outside of what is observed. Enough knowledge should be gained to communicate with us about your shadowing experience and the duties of a PA. 

To shadow at WVU Medicine (Ruby Memorial Hospital):
To shadow at WVU Medicine, please download and fill out this application to shadow. 

Email the completed form to our Program Specialist, Beth Ann McCormick, at bmccormick@hsc.wvu.edu. Once the completed form is received, we will contact you with additional information necessary to schedule your shadowing time.

Transcript 

U.S. & Canada Only.  

Unofficial Transcripts

Unofficial transcripts can be submitted initially for the application to be considered complete. Only completed applications are reviewed by the committee. 

Official Transcripts

Official final transcripts for all completed coursework and any degrees conferred must be received by April 1 of the application period.

Courses “In progress”

Prerequisite courses in progress or applicants graduating in May of the application period, can have their final official transcripts sent once courses are completed and degree is conferred. 

WVU Graduate Admissions
PO BOX 6510
One Waterfront Place
Morgantown, WV 26506-6510 

Please note that we do not require a GRE score for acceptance into the program.