Graduate Education

The Department of Pathology at the Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences is a dynamic environment for research into molecular approaches to pathology. The faculty members are engaged in research at the cutting edge of their various disciplines. The combination of an outstanding faculty and a modern, well-situated facility provides an exciting opportunity for pre-doctoral and postdoctoral training. Our programs and facilities are described in this brochure. We welcome your interest in our graduate studies program and postdoctoral research training opportunities.
 
Postdoctoral Research Training
 
Faculty and research interests
 
Selected Research Grants
 
The Department of Pathology offers several graduate programs leading to the Ph.D. degree:
 
The Molecular Pathobiology Graduate Program was designed for students with background in biology, chemistry, molecular biology or related disciplines who have B.A. or B.S. degrees and who wish to study human diseases. This program includes specialized tracks in neoplasia, immunological diseases and tissue injury and repair.
 
The Comparative Pathology Graduate Program was developed for students who have D.V.M. degrees and a minimum of two years residency or preceptorship training and who wish to pursue further graduate studies leading to the Ph.D. degree.
 
The Emerging Infectious Diseases Program has three academic tracks within the field of emerging infectious diseases: microbiology and immunology, pathology, or preventative medicine/parasitology, with primary interest in the pathogenesis, host response, pathology and epidemiology of infectious diseases. Research training recognizes modern methods in molecular biology, cell biology and interdisciplinary approaches. For further information, see the EID website.
 
Pathology is a very broad scientific discipline which includes many aspects of genetics, immunology, molecular biology and other fields related to human disease. Our graduate programs recognize these diverse training requirements, and are designed to be quite flexible in order to accommodate the interests and needs of individual students. Students with advanced degrees (MD, DDS) are encouraged to apply. Credit may be given for prior course work.
 
The graduate programs include core courses in biochemistry, pathology, molecular biology, cell biology, microbiology, and immunology. A variety of other courses may be taken as electives. These include a large selection of graduate courses in all preclinical departments at USUHS and graduate course offered through the Foundation for Advanced Education in the Sciences, Inc. (FAES) taught by NIH staff members. A total of 48 formal course credits is required for the Ph.D. degree. A comprehensive written and oral qualifying examination is given upon the completion of course work, usually within 2 years after admission to the program.
 
Our graduate programs place a strong emphasis on research experiences. During the first year, every graduate student rotates through several laboratories in order to learn research methods. Normally, by the end of the first year, a research mentor is selected and the student begins research leading to the Ph.D. dissertation.
 
Throughout their graduate training, our graduate students frequently present journal clubs and research seminars to their peers and to faculty-student groups. We believe that skills in oral and written presentation are essential components of a successful scientific career. Advanced graduate students are expected to present their research results at appropriate national meetings.
 
An advisory committee for each student meets with the student several times each year to plan a program of courses and research experiences and to evaluate the student's progress.
 
Graduate Student Stipends
 
There is no tuition charge for the graduate studies programs at USUHS. Although the medical students at USUHS must enlist in the military services or public health service and incur a 7 years payback for their medical training, most graduate students at USUHS are civilians, and do not incur any military obligation or payback commitment.
 
Applicants for the graduate programs who are active duty military personnel must obtain the approval and sponsorship of their parent military department, and will incur an obligation for additional military service.
 
Stipends for graduate study are available to civilian U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents under Graduate student stipends who may serve as teaching and research assistants. In addition, many research grants in this department also support graduate students.
 
Requirements for Admission to Graduate Programs
 
For the Molecular Pathobiology Graduate Program, (applicants should be U.S. citizens or U.S. permanent residents) a baccalaureate degree with undergraduate courses in calculus, biology, physics and chemistry are required. Advanced courses in biochemistry, physical chemistry, microbiology, anatomy, cell biology, immunology, or genetics are desirable, but not required.
 
For the Comparative Pathology Graduate Program, a D.V.M. degree with a minimum of two years residency or preceptorship training is required. ACVP board eligibility is desirable.
 
Application Procedure
 
Applicants for the Ph.D. degree in Molecular Pathobiology or Comparative Pathology should submit:

For an application, please contact Graduate Programs in the Graduate Education Office, or download an application.

Contact Information

Uniformed Services University
of the Health Sciences
F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine
Department of Pathology
4301 Jones Bridge Road
Room: B3154
Bethesda, MD 20814

telephone: (301) 295-3450
fax: (301) 295-1640

Pathology Education