Forensic pathology is a medical specialty that deals with post-mortem examinations, including autopsies. It’s an important part of the criminal justice system and helps determine cause of death in violent crimes and accidents. Autopsies are also used to help families come to terms with their loss or resolve questions about long-term illnesses.
Colleges That Have Forensic Pathology
University of California San Diego
The University of California San Diego is located in La Jolla, California, a coastal community of approximately 35,000 people about 15 miles north of downtown San Diego. The university offers a Masters of Public Health Program with a concentration in Forensic Pathology. The program requires 39 units to complete, making it the most intensive track by far.
Students interested in applying should have their transcripts sent directly to UCSD’s Graduate Admissions Office and provide two letters of recommendation from professionals who can speak to their academic ability and commitment to public health. Students must also submit GRE scores (verbal reasoning section score must be at least 151; quantitative reasoning section score must be at least 153) or MCAT scores that reflect an overall percentile rank between 85-95% on each section (biological sciences, verbal reasoning).
To be eligible for financial aid as a forensic pathology student at UCSD you must meet all application requirements listed above as well as have completed an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with a 3.0 GPA or higher AND earn a minimum composite score on the Graduate Record Exam (or equivalent) between 101-109%
Ohio University
You can get a bachelor’s degree in forensic pathology at Ohio University. The program is based in the College of Osteopathic Medicine, where you’ll have the option of earning a Bachelor of Science or Bachelor of Arts degree. It’s a four-year program, and it’s accredited by the American Osteopathic Association.
This school has an interesting history: it was one of America’s first programs to offer a bachelor’s degree in forensic pathology! It has been accepting students since 1971 when it was founded by Dr. Thomas Hargrove as part of his work with the National Institute of Justice (NIJ).
University of Florida
The University of Florida offers a graduate degree in forensic pathology through their department of pathology and anatomical sciences. The program is jointly administered by the departments of interdisciplinary studies, and pathology and laboratory medicine.
According to the university’s website, “Students have opportunities for advanced training in Anatomical Sciences; Histology & Embryology; Immunology/Microbiology; Pathology (in-vivo); Pharmacology & Toxicology; Histochemistry & Cytochemistry; Histological Staining & Microscopy; Electron Microscopy (SEM); Molecular Biology & Genetics including Cell Culture Techniques, Protein Chemistry, Proteomics Techniques & DNA Analysis Techniques including PCR Amplification Methods used for DNA Profiling Studies.”
East Tennessee State University
East Tennessee State University’s forensic pathology program is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the country. The program was founded by Dr. Michael Baden, a renowned forensic pathologist who served in New York City for over 30 years before becoming a professor at Yale University.
Accredited by the American Osteopathic Board of Pathology, East Tennessee State University’s Department of Medical Education offers two degrees: an MS and PhD. Their mission statement boasts that their faculty members are “distinguished national leaders” in their fields and that they offer rigorous training opportunities to students seeking to enter into this profession. The department has been recognized as having high standards for admission, with only 20% acceptance rate compared to 40% at other institutions around the country (American Association of Medical Colleges). This means that if you’re accepted into their program, your chances are excellent!
University of Maryland, Baltimore County
The University of Maryland, Baltimore County is a public research university located in Baltimore County, Maryland. The campus is situated along the northeastern shoreline of the Chesapeake Bay and includes some of the most beautiful scenery around. It’s also home to a number of academic programs, which include:
- Biomedical Engineering
- Computer Science
- Earth and Planetary Sciences
- Economics
UMBC was founded in 1966 with only 41 students enrolled at its first semester; it has since grown into one of Maryland’s largest educational institutions with more than 25,000 students on campus each year. It is also one of only 146 schools to be designated as “Doctoral Universities – Highest Research Activity” by The Carnegie Classification for Institutions of Higher Education (2005), as well as being among those schools included within “Public Ivies” by Richard Moll (2008)
All but one are on the Pacific Coast.
All but one are located on the Pacific Coast. The only exception is Ohio University, which lies within driving distance of Cincinnati, Ohio and Columbus, Ohio.
East Tennessee State University is located in Johnson City, Tennessee, while the University of Maryland is located in Baltimore County.
Closing
We hope this list helps you in your search for a college with a forensic pathology program. If you are interested in other forensic professions, don’t forget to check out our other articles on Crime Scene Investigation and Criminal Justice!