Program Overview
The Pathologists' Assistant at University of Alberta is a MSc programme in Humanities over 24 months, delivered On-campus. This programme equips graduates with advanced knowledge and practical skills for professional and academic careers in the field.
Students gain a rigorous grounding in both the theoretical foundations and applied dimensions of humanities. The programme combines coursework, research components, and practical projects that develop critical thinking, problem-solving, and specialist expertise relevant to industry and research needs.
Graduates of the Pathologists' Assistant programme are well-prepared for careers in academia, industry, government, and the private sector across Canada and internationally. The programme provides an internationally recognised qualification within the Bologna higher education framework.
Key Program Features
- Duration: 24 months
- Language of instruction: English
- Study mode: On-campus
- English requirement: IELTS 7
- Location: Edmonton, Canada
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Pathologists' Assistant programme are prepared for diverse careers in humanities:
- Researcher / Academic
- Cultural Programme Manager
- Editor / Writer
- Translator / Interpreter
- Museum Curator
- Communications Specialist
Program Curriculum
Course Structure
- The course and practicum-based program comprises two continuous years of full time studies leading to a Master of Science in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology with specialization as Pathologists Assistant (PA).
- The program consists of two terms (8 months) of didactic courses, including courses followed by a clinical practicum (16 months) and a scholarly research component in either basic or clinical research.
- The clinical practicum component of the program will be competency-based with students expected to successfully complete all competencies in the grossing station and autopsy suite, including safety, photography, professionalism, ethics, laboratory management, quality assurance, gross examination, dissection, dictation, synoptic reporting, preparation and examination of the human body, procurement of specimens.
- This professional degree program aims to be accredited by the NAACLS so that graduates are eligible to write the certification examination from the American Society for Clinical Pathologists (ASCP). Graduates are also eligible to write the certification examination from the Canadian Association of Pathologists (CAP).
Admission Requirements
Academic Requirements
All applicants require:
at least a baccalaureate or its academic equivalent.
the following prerequisites: Microbiology (3 units of course weight), Biology (6 UCW), Physiology (3 UCW), Biochemistry (6 UCW), Anatomy 200 or equivalent, English (6 UCW)
successful completion of a Medical Terminology course. This course can be in any format (online, in person, correspondence) and taken from any institution.
an admission grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on the University of Alberta 4-point scale, or the equivalent qualification from another institution this is calculated on the most recent course work (equivalent to 60 units of course weight (UCW) or the last two years of full-time study).
proof of English language proficiency (ELP) if the applicant does not hold a degree from countries or international universities listed on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research exemptions page. The following ELP examinations are recognized; minimum scores required by Laboratory Medicine and Pathology are
- internet-based TOEFL score: 95 with at least 20 per section;
- paper-based TOEFL score: 570);
- IELTS (Academic) score: 7.0 with at least 6 on each band;
- PTE (Academic) score: 65;
- MELAB score: 91;
- CAEL score: 70 with at least 70 on each subtest.
English Proficiency: IELTS 7 or equivalent.
Tuition & Financial Information
Detailed tuition information is not available. Please contact the university for the most current tuition and fee information.
Application Deadline
Please contact the university for application deadline information.
About University of Alberta
University of Alberta
Edmonton, Canada
public research university in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada
University Profile- Language English
- Duration 24 months
