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. Upload the personal statement under the heading “statement of purpose.”  There are no specific requirements for the program.
  3. The shadowing statement should be uploaded under the “writing sample” since there is no specific area for this requirement.
  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 College Algebra or higher
  • 3 SH English Composition or comparable
  • Applicants must have a "C" or better in all pre-requisite courses

Recommended coursework includes Medical Terminology and Human Anatomy & Physiology.

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. A limited number of onsite interviews will be offered after the evaluation of the preliminary interview. 

The on-site interview is conducted by a panel consisting of up to five members of the admissions committee. All applicants will complete an activity at the conclusion of the interview. The activity is designed to evaluate the applicant’s ability to understand spacial relationships, follow instructions, and communicate effectively.

The on-site interview will also consist of a tour of the facilities guided by current first year students. This provides an opportunity for the 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 spend thousands of dollars and hours of effort in a rigorous program. We require job shadowing with a practicing pathologists' assistant, or have applicable work experience in surgical or autopsy pathology.

A statement regarding this experience is required in the application packet. There are no set number of hours in which applicants need to shadow. We ask that you gain enough knowledge so that you can indicate to us in written form on your application, and verbally (if invited for an interview), about your shadowing experience and the duties of a PA in a "normal" working day in surgical pathology.

What is the objective of surgical shadowing?
We want you to be able to tell us what a certified pathologists’ assistant does in a “normal” working day. Keep in mind that there is no “normal” working day for a certified PA and that is one of the good things about our career! No day is the same and it is always challenging. When you shadow, discuss with your mentor what their regular duties are and what is expected of them on a daily basis. Be able to share that with us at your interview.

To shadow at WVU Medicine (Ruby Memorial Hospital):
WVU Medicine is currently unable to accept requests to shadow at this time. Pending hospital policy, the shadowing experience may be offered in the spring. Once shadowing opportunities return, please download and fill out this application to shadow. 

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

Transcript 

U.S. & Canada Only.  If you are taking a pre-requisite course during the time period in which you are applying to the PA program (January 2 - April 30), the course must be completed by May 31 of the application year.  Immediately upon completion of the semester, have your current transcript electronically sent or mailed to:

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

All application materials, including final transcripts, must be received by April 30 of the application period. 

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