Path 2 Path Certification

The mission for the Path 2 Path master’s certificate is to prepare physicians to enter an accredited pathology residency training program in the United States. Students will take courses through Graduate Medical Sciences at Boston University School of Medicine. Clinical observerships will be done working directly with board-certified pathologists in both anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine. The program offers an in-depth exposure to both the theoretical and practical aspects of pathology.

In addition to the formal coursework, students will enroll in the American Society of Clinical Pathology Informatics online program. Students will also take the Resident In-Service Exam for pathology during the spring, which will test their pathology knowledge.

The graduate certificate program will require one year to complete.

Application Requirements

Applications accepted September 1st-April 25th, for start on July 1st (for domestic student) or Fall start (international students)

  • Medical School degree that would allow for board certification in Massachusetts
  • Passing scores on Step 1 and 2 of USMLE
  • Personal Statement-Maximum 2 pages stating why you are choosing this program and why you should be choosen
  • Minimum 2 letters of recommendation on official institutional letter head
  • Transcripts of other institutions
  • Non-native English speakers to have passing TOFEL scores, or demonstration of education in English

Domestic students curriculum 

Semester Course # Credits Description
Summer II GMS PA925 4 Pathology Boot Camp is a 2 month curriculum held during July and August with thirty-nine, 50 minute lectures that are given 3-5 times per week. Lectures are provided by board-certified pathologists, senior Pathology faculty or staff and focus on basic topics necessary to the practice of surgical pathology, anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine. The overall course objectives are to reinforce and extend pathology knowledge of the residents and graduate students, and to introduce them to the workflow operations of a major urban hospital-based Pathology department.
GMS PA900 2 Laboratory Rotations in Pathology
GMS PA901 2 Pathology Research with capstone project. The capstone project will be completed in the spring and the credits will be given in the spring semester.
Fall GMS PA932 4 Histopathology
GMS MS750 2 Biostatistics
Spring GMS PA700 4 Basic and Experimental Pathology
GMS PA510 2 Medical Immunology
Total Credits 20

International students curriculum-For Visa, must be registered full time, or 12 credits per semester

Semester Course # Credits Description
Fall GMS PA925 4 Pathology Boot Camp is a 2 month curriculum held during July and August with thirty-nine, 50 minute lectures that are given 3-5 times per week. Lectures are provided by board-certified pathologists, senior Pathology faculty or staff and focus on basic topics necessary to the practice of surgical pathology, anatomic pathology and laboratory medicine. The overall course objectives are to reinforce and extend pathology knowledge of the residents and graduate students, and to introduce them to the workflow operations of a major urban hospital-based Pathology department.
GMS PA900 2 Laboratory Rotations in Pathology
GMS PA932 4 Histopathology
GMS MS750 2 Biostatistics
Spring GMS PA700 4 Basic and Experimental Pathology
GMS PA510 2 Medical Immunology
GMS PA901 6 Pathology Research with capstone project.
Total Credits 24