Four Major Forensic Pathology Schools
Preparing to be a forensic pathologist? Which forensic pathology schools can provide you with the training you need to hone your skills and develop your confidence? Forensic pathologists are physicians so don't expect to take the quick route in becoming one.
Starting a Forensic Pathology Career
You can actually start a career in forensic pathology with an undergraduate degree. Complete a forensic pathology bachelor program and you qualify to work as forensic pathology technician. That means you will be eligible to work at crime labs, the coroner or medical examiner's office. But if your goal is to be a certified forensic pathologist then you'll have to move on to medical school and go through the same process as everyone seeking entry into this rewarding field.
If you're already working as a forensic science technician, you'll still have to go through the same route although you have the option to take up online courses or an online degree to allow you to continue working.
1. Aside from a bachelor degree in forensic pathology, any science or pre-med degree can be a good foundation. You need a lot of chemistry, physics and mathematics courses, aside from biology and anatomy if you are serious about this career.
2. Continue to medical school and earn either a Doctor of Medicine or Doctor of Osteopathy degree. You will need to pass the Medical College Admission Test.
3. Complete your residency requirements either at hospitals, making sure you have rotations in anatomical pathology, or get residency at the medical examiner's office. This will take between five to six years.
4. Finally enroll in a fellowship program in forensic pathology, usually for a year, by completing their requirements on autopsies and participating in actual crime scene investigations for hands-on experience. Rotations in local agencies will also add to your credentials.
5. Pass the board exams and become a certified forensic pathologist to begin practice and start earning the lucrative forensic pathology salary.
Most forensic pathology schools actually just offer fellowships to pave the way for your forensic pathologist career. These are either separate programs offered under a university or college's School of Medicine or Department of Pathology.
Tie-ups with The Medical Examiner's Office
One characteristic shared by the top forensic pathology schools is their tie-ups with the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner in their locality. This allows fellows to fully experience mot just anatomical pathology but how to work cases and prepare reports that are used to support criminal or legal cases.
Of the four major schools mentioned here, only the Johns Hopkins University does not have offer a fellowship program, nor is it tied up with the medical examiner's officer.
Schools with Reputable Forensic Pathology Programs
Johns Hopkins University - Baltimore, Maryland. Its Department of Pathology integrates anatomical and clinical pathology training into its four-year residency program. Forensic pathology is included under its core anatomical pathology (AP) rotations along with autopsy and autopsy supervision among others, which is taken up during the first year. The second year is devoted to clinical pathology or CP. In the third and fourth years, residents can choose electives focused on their intended specializations.
Emory University - Atlanta, Georgia. Its Division of Anatomical Pathology has 35 faculty spread in five sites, including the Fulton County Medical Examiners Office. The Forensic Pathology Fellowship program takes a year to finish and you are required to complete 250 autopsies, as well as 75 crime scene investigations.
University of Texas Southwestern Medical School - Dallas, Texas. In partnership with Dallas County, the school offers a forensic pathology fellowship with concentration in death investigation.
The program requires the completion of 250 to 350 autopsies, and fellows also testify in court situations, while playing an active role in investigations of the Medical Examiner's Office. The Criminal Investigation Lab is near the MEO for easy access to research, teaching and attending conferences.
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill School of Medicine - Raleigh, North Carolina. In coordination with North Carolina Office of the Chief Medical Examiner, the fellowship program is supervised by one of five board-certified forensic pathologists. Fellows must complete 250 autopsies. The program is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Graduate Medical Education. Because the OCME relies on the university for autopsy and examination services, the office is conveniently located inside the campus.
There are other forensic pathology schools around the country, and one may fit with your needs and prepare you towards a fulfilling career.
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