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Curriculum

The Pathologists’ Assistant program curriculum reflects the breadth, depth, theory, and practice appropriate for, and beyond that of an entry level Pathologists’ Assistant.  The 24-month program is divided into 12 months of didactic course work, and 12 months of clinical experience. The program is seeking NAACLS accreditation, and as such, intends to meet the standards for quality graduate education.

Student Handbook

 

Coursework

The sequential coursework for the program is as follows:

First-year courses:
  • Spring Trimester: 15 credit hours
    • Human Anatomy for Pathologists’ Assistants (MSPA 511) – 6 credit hours
    • Introduction to Surgical and Autopsy Pathology (MSPA 510) – 3 credit hours
    • Human Physiology for Pathologist’s Assistants (MSPA 512) - 4 credit hours
    • Pathologists’ Assistant Seminar I (MSPA 513) - 2 credit hours

  • Summer Trimester: 12 credit hours
    • Foundations of Pathology I (MSPA 520) – 6 credit hours
    • Microanatomy (MSPA 521) – 4 credit hours
    • Pathologists’ Assistant Seminar II (MSPA 522) - 2 credit hours

  • Fall Trimester: 16 credit hours
    • Advanced Surgical and Autopsy Pathology (MSPA 531) – 6 credit hours
    • Foundations of Pathology II (MSPA 530) – 6 credit hours
    • Histopathology (MSPA 532) – 2 credit hours
    • Pathologists’ Assistant Seminar III (MSPA 533) - 2 credit hours
Second-year courses:
  • Spring Trimester: 11 credit hours
    • Pathologists’ Assistant Practicum I (MSPA 610) - 9 credit hours
    • Pathology Review I (MSPA 611) - 2 credit hours

  • Summer Trimester: 11 credit hours
    • Pathologists’ Assistant Practicum II (MSPA 620)- 9 credit hours
    • Pathology Review II (MSPA 621) – 2 credit hours

  • Fall Trimester: 11 credit hours
    • Pathologists’ Assistant Practicum III (MSPA 630) – 9 credit hours
    • Pathology Review III (MSPA 631) - 2 credit hours

 

Learning Outcomes

  • Students will be able to perform anatomic pathology techniques for the preparation, gross description, and dissection of human surgical tissue specimens.

  • Students will be able to demonstrate and perform the appropriate non-forensic and forensic autopsy techniques for the recovery, preparation, evisceration, gross description and dissection of human organs and tissue specimens.

  • Students will demonstrate the ability to effectively communicate verbally and in writing.

  • Students will demonstrate the ability to manage a pathology laboratory and autopsy service.

  • Students will display an understanding of teaching pedagogy and an ability to clinically train other health professionals.

 

Clinical Experience

Students will experience clinical work in various settings, including anatomic pathology, surgical pathology, pediatric pathology, and forensic pathology.

 

Current Clinical Affiliates

  • Jackson Pathology Group, P.C. (Jackson, TN)
  • Regional One Health (Memphis, TN)
  • St. Thomas Midtown Hospital (Nashville, TN)
  • Erlanger Health System (Chattanooga, TN)
  • West Tennessee Regional Forensic Center, Office of the Medical Examiner (Memphis, TN)
  • Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare (Memphis, TN)
Jul 28, 2022