Student Resources
Prospective Students, Current Students, & New Graduates
Whether you’re exploring graduate study options for Pathologists’ Assistant programs, already enrolled in a Canadian Masters PA Program, or a recent graduate studying for your certification exams, this page is your go-to destination for educational student resources.
Here you’ll find essential information, helpful tools, and support to guide you through every stage of your journey — from application and enrollment to academic success and career development.
We’re here to ensure you have the resources you need to make the most of your experience and achieve your goals as a Pathologists’ Assistant student.
Prospective Students
Application Timeline
|
School |
Application deadlines |
Application links |
Interview Dates |
Students accepted |
Contact |
|
University of Alberta |
April 1 |
https://www.ualberta.ca/en/graduate-studies/admissions-programs/apply/index.html |
Mid April |
3 per year |
|
|
University of Calgary |
Jan 31 |
https://grad.ucalgary.ca/future-students/graduate/admissions/how-apply |
May |
6 per year |
|
|
University of Manitoba |
March 31 |
Late April/May |
1 per year |
||
|
University of Toronto |
March 2 |
Mid April |
5 per year |
||
|
Western University |
March 15 |
|
May |
6 per year |
Application Checklist
- Official transcripts or marksheets and degree certificates from each university or post-secondary institution previously attended
- Successful completion of BSc required for all PA Masters programs
- Proof of English language proficiency (if necessary).
- Proof of successful completion of a Medical Terminology course.
- University of Alberta
- University of Manitoba
- Proof of successful completion of an Indigenous History Studies course.
- University of Alberta
- Curriculum vitae or resumé
- Academic
- Letter of intent. This letter should address the following:
- Why have you chosen this profession?
- Why are you a good fit for this profession?
- What are your professional goals and ambitions?
- Demonstrate / reflect on your attention to detail, fine motor skills, ability to multitask and manage competing priorities, computers skills.
- Two references
- Three reference letters are required for the University of Manitoba
Base Program Requirements
All applicants require:
- At least a bachelor’s degree or its academic equivalent.
- Applicants must have the following prerequisites:
- Biology (6 units)
- Physiology (3 units)
- Chemistry or Biochemistry (3 units)
- Human Anatomy (3 units)
- Mathematics (3 units)
- Admission grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0, or the equivalent qualification from another institution
- This is calculated on the most recent course work (equivalent to 60 units of course weight 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 page of Recognized English Language Countries and Institutions.
Prospective Student Shadows
CanadianPathA subreddit
Connect with other prospective pathologists’ assistant students on the subreddit https://www.reddit.com/r/Path_Assistant
Current Students and Recent Graduates
Online Rounds
Mt. Sinai Hospital Weekly Gross Rounds: https://lmp.forms-db.com/view.php?id=379475
Alberta Precision Laboratories Monthly Gross Rounds: Contact Christopher.Horn@albertaprecisionlabs.ca
Helpful Websites
Recommended Textbooks
- Robbins, Cotran and Kumar Pathologic Basis of Disease
- Robbins and Kumar Basic Pathology
- Pocket Companion to Robbins and Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease
- Lesters Manual of Surgical Pathology
- Knights Forensic Pathology
- Langmans Medical Embryology
- Larsens Human Embrology
- Moses et al. Atlas of Clinical Gross Anatomy
- Gilroy et al. Atlas of Anatomy
- Buja Butary Cardiovascular Pathology
*Thriftbooks.com
CCCPA-CCCAP Certification Exam Prep
Exam Details and Breakdown
- Passing Grade: 75%
- Format: Handwritten, multiple-choice (100 questions; circle the corresponding letter)
- Time Limit: 2.5 hours
- Dates (2025 onwards): March 6, July 10, and November 20
- Fundamentals of Pathology (General & Systemic): 50%
- Anatomy (Normal Microscopic & Gross Anatomy): 15%
- Anatomic Pathology Techniques (Histological, Surgical, Autopsy): 15%
- Autopsy Theory (Adult, Neonatal/Perinatal, Pediatric, Forensic): 10%
- Cancer Staging (CAP synoptic reporting): 10%
Certification Requirements
- Graduation from a NAACLS-accredited PA program within the last 5 years
- Successful completion of the Pathologists’ Assistant Certification Exam within 2 years of applying
- Submission of the required documentation (e.g. proof of completion of the minimum required education).
- See the Applicant Documents page for full application instructions.
Recommended Resources
Fundamentals of Pathology and Surgical Pathology
Buja LM, Krueger G. (2013). Netter’s Illustrated Human Pathology, updated edition. Elsevier Inc.
Carson FL, Hladik C. (2020). Histotechnology: A Self-Instructional Text 5th edition. ASCP Press.
Gao, Zu-Hua (ed). (2020). Gross Morphology of Common Diseases. Brush Education Inc
Goldblum J, Lamps L, McKenney J, Myers J. (2017). Rosai and Ackerman’s Surgical Pathology, 11th edition. Elsevier Inc.
Horn C, Naugler C. (2021). Gross Pathology Handbook: A Guide to Descriptive Terms, 2nd edition.. Brush Education Inc
Kumar V, Abbas AK, Aster JC. (2020). Robbins & Cotran Pathologic Basis of Disease, 10th edition. Elsevier Inc.
Lemos M, Okoye E (eds). (2019). Atlas of Surgical Pathology Grossing. Springer.
Lester SC. (2022). Manual of Surgical Pathology, 4th Edition. Elsevier Inc.
Sattar HA. (2020). Fundamentals of Pathology: Medical Course and Step 1 Review, 2020 edition. Pathoma LLC.
Young B., et al. (Eds.). (2014). Wheater’s Functional Histology: A Text and Colour Atlas 6th edition. Churchill Livingstone.
Autopsy Pathology
Collins KA, Hutchins GM. (2006). An Introduction to Autopsy Technique, 2nd Edition. College of American Pathologists.
Connoly A, Finkbeiner W, Ursell P, Davis R. (2016). Autopsy Pathology: A Manual and Atlas, 3rd edition. Elsevier Inc.
DiMaio VJM, Molina DK. (2021). Handbook of Forensic Pathology (3rd edition). CRC Press.
Gilbert-Barness E, Debich-Spicer DE. (2016). Handbook of Pediatric Autopsy Pathology, second edition. Springer.
Sens MA, Hughes R. (2020). Diagnostic Pathology: Forensic Autopsy. Elsevier.
Online Resources
Canadianpathassistant – Website with practice questions, created by a CCCPA certified PA
American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA) – Grossing Guidelines
American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC)
College of American Pathologists – Cancer Protocol Templates
The Internet Pathology Laboratory for Medical Education
Osmosis by Elsevier
Mypathologyreport.ca
Canadian Pathologists’ Assistants CAP-ACP Section – Learn to Gross with Nicole Herbers
Histology@Yale
The Autopsy Book
Duke Pathology