forensic pathology?

Question

i know that to be a forensic pathologist, you'd have 2 go to med school...but then you'd also have 2 get an undergrad in forensic science...but does it matter if your forensic science concentrated on the lab analysis part instead of the pathology part? because, there are 2 schools that i'm interested in (i'm a sr in hs) and 1 has a forensic science degree w/ a concentration in forensic pathology while the other has no concentrations, and i don't know whch is better...so i kinda need help determining which school would be better career-wise

Answer 1

What training is required to become a forensic pathologist?
It takes many years of schooling to prepare oneself for a career in forensic pathology. It begins with a four year college degree, followed by four years of medical school. After medical school, the young physician begins a three to five year residency training program in general pathology. The exact duration depends on whether the program is in anatomic pathology, or both anatomic and clinical pathology. In any event, to become a forensic pathologist, the prerequisite training program must include at least anatomic pathology. After completion of the residency program, the pathologist embarks on a one year specialty training program in forensic pathology at a medical examiner's or coroner's office, usually in a large city or metropolitan area.

Q. How many years of schooling and training does it take to become a forensic pathologist?

A. After high school you'll have to undertake:

* 4 years of college, to get a bachelors degree
* 4 years of medical school, to get the doctor of medicine (MD) degree
* 4 or 5 years of residency (4 for anatomic pathology only, or 5 for combined anatomic/clinical pathology, the latter track being recommended) to become eligible to take the Board exams in pathology
* 1 or 2 years of forensic pathology fellowship, to be eligible to take the subspecialty Board exam in forensic pathology

Q. What should I be studying in high school/college/med school to prepare for a career as a forensic pathologist?

A. In high school, concentrate on traditional core subjects and develop your study skills and self-discipline. Take four years of English, four of science, four of math. Take as many honors-level courses as you can handle, so you can test out of survey-level courses in college. By the time you graduate, you should be able to write clear, polished reports without grammatical errors. If you are shy or uncomfortable speaking in public, you may benefit from getting involved in your high school's debating team or other organized speech activities.

In college, you will have to meet prerequisites to get into med school. These vary from school to school, so get to know your college's premedical adviser early on. In general, you will need two years of chemistry (inorganic and organic), two of biology, one or two of English, and maybe one of physics. You don't have to major in a science to get into med school, and in fact some med schools encourage applicants to have strong backgrounds in the humanities. I can't argue with that, but I do think the current crop of young physicians is somewhat deficient in their grasp of the scientific underpinnings of medical practice. So, I guess what I would say is that if you don't major in a natural science, you should still take more science courses in college than are required by the med schools you are looking to attend.

Note: Find the medical school you want to go to and that will drive the focus for your undergraduate degree. With so much education needed the last thing you would want to do is take more classes than you have to take.

Answer 2

There are jobs you can perform in forensics running clinical tests, etc. which do not require you to go to medical school; however, to become a forensic pathologist you would do the following:
College - 4 years (you could concentrate in whatever you want)
Med school - 4 years
Pathology residency (4-5 years)
Forensic pathology fellowship (1-2 years)

In terms of your situation, I would pick the school which you liked better. If you go to the one without concentrations, you could make certain to study things like biology or chemistry or even anthropology and develop a background suitable for both medical school and forensics.

Answer 3

This Site Might Help You.

RE:
forensic pathology?
i know that to be a forensic pathologist, you'd have 2 go to med school...but then you'd also have 2 get an undergrad in forensic science...but does it matter if your forensic science concentrated on the lab analysis part instead of the pathology part? because, there are 2 schools that...

Answer 4

Think carefully. Since the proliferation of TV shows based on forensics the specialty has become enormously competitive. However, if you still want to go ahead consider you own personality - do you like clean heands and precision? or you like blood and mud and tramping around in alleys and freezing fields in the middle of nowhere? If the former you are more suited to the lab - if the latter you'd be better served in the direct pathology area.

Answer 5

Contact your county's Medical Examiner or Coroner's office and talk to someone who has a degree. If you can't find it call your local police station to get the phone number.

Depends greatly on what you plan on DOING with the degree....

Answer 6

I agree with the first answer and just wanted to add that you should also contact the schools where you are considering attending. Someone in the department that your program is offered will be able to answer your questions about their program and what the future career and academic possibilities are.

Answer 7

Any school that has 'Criminal Justice' in its title or has a major in 'Criminal Justice' should be good.