Application Requirements

In addition to the university’s minimum requirements, applicants must meet the following program requirements:

Prerequisite Coursework

	Semester hours	Quarter hours
Biology (with lab preferred; Human Anatomy and/or Physiology recommended)	3	4
Microbiology (with lab preferred)	3	4
General Chemistry (with lab preferred)	3	4
Organic Chemistry and/or Biochemistry (with lab preferred)	3	4
College-level Mathematics (Statistics recommended)	3	4
English Composition (English Composition I or II and/or Rhetoric recommended)	3	4

Ten year rule: Applicants are required to have completed the necessary prerequisites for matriculation within 10 years of their application submission date. Each prerequisite course needs to meet the minimum credit hours noted above, receive a final grade of "C" or better, and must be taken at an accredited institution of higher education prior to matriculation into the program.

Online and/or distance learning courses: In recognition of many undergraduate institutions which have moved courses to online instruction, the program will waive in-person requirements for prerequisite laboratory experiences taken between Spring 2020 - Spring 2022. Additionally, the program will accept prerequisite coursework delivered via online or distance learning taken between Spring 2020 – Spring 2022.

Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory courses: The program will waive letter grade requirements for prerequisite courses, and accept Spring 2020 – Spring 2022 coursework that is graded on a Pass/Fail or Satisfactory/Unsatisfactory basis to fulfill a prerequisite course requirement, particularly if the applicant was not given the choice to take the course on this basis. When provided the choice by an undergraduate institution, applicants are encouraged to maintain letter grade requirements.

Education

Applicants are required to have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution of higher education prior to matriculation into the program.

GPA

A minimum overall and science grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a 4.0 scale is required prior to matriculation to the program. Preference is given to students with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale.

Letters of Recommendation

Two letters of recommendation from former professors, employers or those who are familiar with the applicant's professional or educational capabilities are required. It is recommended that letters of recommendation are dated within 1-2 years of the application submission date.

Transcripts

Official Transcripts from each college, university and community college previously or currently attended are required. Applicants who have studied outside of the U.S. will need to have their transcripts evaluated for U.S. equivalency using a service such as www.wes.org or www.ece.org.

• Transcripts sent directly to RFUMS will not be accepted.
• Transcripts are sent to: 
  RFUCAS Transcript Processing Center
  PO Box 9130
  Watertown, MA 02471
• For any transcript updates, reach out to RFUCAS at 617-245-4861.
• Help sending electronic transcripts.

Experience

Applicants must have a strong understanding of the profession. Exposure to surgical pathology is required. Competitive applicants will have 8+ hours of surgical pathology exposure obtained within two years of their application and additional exposure hours to autopsy pathology. 

View the common questions page for additional information on acceptable experiences.

Narrative Statements

Five photos with accompanying narrative statements are required. Each narrative statement must be a minimum of 250 words. One of the five narratives must discuss your understanding of, and exposure to, the pathologists’ assistant profession, as well as why you want to be a pathologist's assistant.

Resume or Curriculum Vitae

A resume or curriculum vitae is required. 

Computer Skills

Proficiency in basic computer skills including the ability to use email, the internet, word processing and the ability to create presentations and/or use and create spreadsheets.

Tests

Proficiency in written and verbal English is required.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) examination is required of all foreign applicants from countries which English is not the native language and who have not attended an American college or university for two consecutive years. It is the applicant’s responsibility to provide an official report of the TOEFL.

The GRE is not required.

Technical Standards

Read and meet Technical Standards for the Pathologists’ Assistant program prior to matriculation.

Background Check

Admitted students are required to pass the Rosalind Franklin University criminal background check.