Master of Pathologists' Assistant (MPath) Course-based, Medicine

Additional Requirements

Police background check and vulnerable service search are required 90 days before starting the second year practicum.

Ability to perform the Essential Functions of a Pathologists' Assistant, as described in the Pathologists' Assistant Student Handbook.

Research Integrity Day

Research Integrity Day is a Research Ethics session offered several times each year. All graduate students in the Cumming School of Medicine are required to attend Research Integrity Day in the first year of their program as part of their course requirements. See the Graduate Science Education https://cumming.ucalgary.ca/gse/current-students/research-integrity-day for details and to register for the Research Integrity Day session.

Medical Terminology

Understanding medical terminology is critical for the clinical practicum rotations in the second year of the MDPA program. Students must complete a medical terminology course within two years of starting the MDPA program or within the first year of the program. If students have taken a medical terminology course within the last two years prior to starting the MDPA program they must provide proof of completion and course description for review. If students have not completed a medical terminology course, there is an online option through Canadian Red Cross or students can forward other options to the program director for review and approval.

Sex and Gender Training Module

The inclusion of Sex and Gender in Research programs is becoming more prominent. All graduate students in the Cumming School of Medicine are required to complete one of the CIHR sex and gender online training modules found at https://www.cihr-irsc-igh-isfh.ca/ within the first year of their program.

Advanced Credit

In consultation with the Graduate Program Director, Advanced Credit may be requested in accordance with Faculty of Graduate Studies regulations (see Advanced Credit). Applicants must make advanced credit requests as part of the admission process. The requests will be reviewed by the Graduate Program Director and Medical Director and decisions will be made on a case-by-case basis. Credit will not be given for course work taken as part of another completed degree/diploma or for courses taken to bring the grade point average to a required level for admission. Any credit to be given for courses completed will be included in the letter of offer for admission to the Faculty of Graduate Studies.

Course Exemption

Course exemptions are reviewed by the Graduate Program Director and Medical Director and decision are made on a case-by-case basis.

Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade)

Students admitted to the graduate programs in the Cumming School of Medicine will not be allowed to request the Flexible Grade Option (CG Grade) for any course that is applicable to their degree; or apply any course awarded a grade of CG towards their graduation requirements.

Students may not choose the CG grade for a course taken extra to load.

The use of the CG grade will affect students' eligibility for internal awards.

Credit for Undergraduate Courses

With the exception of Medical Science 515, credit will not be given for courses taken below the 600-level.

Time Limit

It is highly recommended that the program be completed in two years on a full-time basis. It may also be completed on a part-time basis with the Director's approval.

Supervisory Assignments

The Graduate Program Director will serve as interim advisor for all newly admitted students. In the course-based Pathologists’ Assistant program, there is no requirement for students to have a supervisor. We do recommend, however, that students have a mentor within the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine.

Tuition and Program Fees

A program fee applies to this program. See Graduate Program-Specific Tuition and Fees. MPATH students are assessed a combination of per course fees Graduate Course-based Tuition and Graduate Student General Fees per term based on the student’s residency.