Accredited Forensic Pathology Programs

Whether it is inspecting victims of violent crimes, determining causes of death, or providing testimony that can convict criminals for life, it’s all in a day’s work for a forensic pathologist. If you have ever seen shows such as CSI or NCIS, you may have some idea of what the life of a forensic pathologist may entail. Although not often as exciting and dangerous as these popular television shows make it out to be, a career as a forensic pathologist or medical examiner, can be interesting, fun, and challenging.

Becoming a forensic pathologist includes going to medical school and training to become a physician or surgeon. Upon completing medical school and fellowship requirements, aspiring forensic pathologists seek residencies in forensic pathology schools. After completing their residencies, they’ll go on to careers as medical examiners or clinical forensic pathologists. Medical examiners learn the skills to successfully identify the time, manner, and cause of death in a post-mortem patient. Clinical forensic pathologists study living patients, usually responding to violent trauma. Successful students in this field are typically determined, analytical, and interested in science and biology.

Read on to learn more about forensic pathology schools, including admissions requirements, degree and certificate programs, and professional certification.

Ask the Expert: Barbara Sampson, MD, PhD

Dr. Barbara Sampson is the president of the American Board of Pathology. She is also the vice chair of pathology for strategic initiatives and academic affairs and a professor in the Department of Pathology, Molecular, and Cell-Based Medicine at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. She was the chief medical examiner of the City of New York from 2013 to 2020 and was the first woman appointed to lead the Office of Chief Medical Examiner.

Dr. Sampson has been a trustee of the ABPath since 2017 and her current responsibilities include chairperson for the Test Development and Advisory Committee for Forensic Pathology and the Credentials Committee.

Dr. Sampson earned a bachelor’s degree at Princeton, a PhD in molecular biology at Rockefeller University, and a degree in medicine at Cornell University Medical College. She completed her residency at Brigham and Women’s Hospital. She is board-certified in anatomic and clinical pathology and forensic pathology and is participating in the continuing certification program.

Dr. Sampson served as president of the Society of Cardiovascular Pathology and is a member of the National Association of Medical Examiners, the United States and Canadian Academy of Pathology, and the American Academy of Forensic Sciences. She has published widely on forensic pathology, cardiovascular pathology, and microbiology, including 29 articles and four book chapters, and serves as an associate editor of the journal Cardiovascular Pathology. She received the Young Investigator Award from the Society of Cardiovascular Pathology and the E.R. Squibb and Sons Senior Thesis Prize for Contribution to Scientific Research.

ForensicsColleges.com: What is something you wish the public understood about forensic pathology?

Dr. Sampson: The job of a medical examiner or forensic pathologist is to determine the cause and manner of death in cases that are violent, sudden, or unexpected. We rely on science and medicine to provide answers for families and loved ones at the worst time of their lives, and we communicate those answers in a professional and compassionate manner. In short, we are the family physicians of the bereaved.

Additionally, we provide answers that inform public health and the criminal justice system. The word “forensic” comes from the Latin “forensis,” meaning “of the forum” or relating to a court of law.

ForensicsColleges.com: What advice would you give to potential forensic pathology students?

Dr. Sampson: Potential forensic pathology students must develop excellent communication and teaching skills, which will serve them well as they interact with all our stakeholders, including families, other physicians, public health and government officials, and law enforcement personnel. Currently, there is a marked shortage of medical examiners. Exciting opportunities abound no matter where your specific interest lies. Forensic pathology will provide a fascinating and fulfilling career.

Forensic Pathology Schools: Common Admissions Prerequisites & Courses

Since a forensic scientist is a medical specialist, completing forensic pathologist education begins at the undergraduate level, but students genuinely interested in becoming medical examiners should start to prepare for medical school as soon as possible. Medical school admissions are highly competitive, and most medical schools are interested in applicants who have completed undergraduate degrees in biology and chemistry.

The following are some programs that could help a student prepare for a career as a forensic pathologist, although a medical degree will ultimately be required.

Associate Degree Related to Forensic Pathology

To get started, students consider a two-year associate’s degree in a field related to forensic pathology, such as forensic science, biology, or chemistry.

• Application requirements: Official transcripts from high school (or equivalent), competitive GPA (e.g.,>2.75), personal statement (500-600 words), Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
• Common courses: Microbiology; general chemistry; criminal law; forensic science; mathematics; composition
• Sample program: Prince George’s Community College

Bachelor’s Degree in Forensic Pathology

Students typically won’t focus solely on forensic pathology at the bachelor’s degree level. Instead, applicants should choose a related degree program that will help them obtain admission to a medical program by allowing them to complete specific prerequisites and familiarize themselves with concepts of biology, organic chemistry, and anatomy.

• Application requirements: Official transcripts from high school (or equivalent), competitive GPA (e.g.,>2.75), personal statement (500-600 words), Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT) scores, TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
• Common courses: Biology, organic chemistry, general chemistry, anatomy, physics, English, microbiology, cell biology, genetics, psychology, kinesiology
• Sample program: Arizona State University

Doctor of Medicine in Forensic Pathology (Fellowship)

After completing an undergraduate program that includes medical school prerequisites, students can apply to a medical school program. Medical school requires rigorous general training for at least three years before students can begin to pursue a specialty such as forensic pathology. Fellowships specific to the forensic pathology field are listed further down this page.

• Application requirements: Official transcripts from a bachelor’s program (e.g., biology, chemistry, forensic science, or related discipline) with a competitive GPA (e.g., >3.0), proof of specific coursework (e.g., organic chemistry, biology, etc.), personal statement, interview (in-person or web-based), letter(s) of recommendation, Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) scores, TOEFL scores for non-native speakers of English, application fee
• Common courses: Medical biochemistry; embryology; genetics; physiology; human anatomy; neuroscience; human behavior; immunology;
• Sample program: Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai (Fellowship)

Online Degrees in Forensic Pathology

Becoming a forensic pathologist in the U.S. means earning a medical degree, which means there are no fully online programs that thoroughly prepare a student for a career in forensic pathology.

However, students wishing to prepare for their medical careers may pursue an undergraduate degree online in a related field. Most medical schools prefer to admit students with a bachelor of science degree in biology or chemistry. Regardless of the final degree, students should have a strong background in physical sciences before applying to medical school to ensure they have taken introductory prerequisite courses before entering medical school.

Traditional Forensic Pathology Degrees & Fellowships

As mentioned above, the first portion of medical school provides a foundation of medical knowledge for all future physicians. After completing three years of medical school, students may apply to a forensic pathology residency program and a subsequent fellowship to gain more experience in the specialty.

Medical schools with forensic pathology programs help train students to correctly identify the causes of sudden and violent death. During this stage of training, students will have the opportunity to connect with county coroner’s offices and investigative laboratories to determine whether a forensic pathology career will be a good fit. Medical programs help prepare students for a career in medicine, but the student’s subsequent residency and fellowship programs allow them to specialize in forensic pathology.

While enrolled in medical forensic pathologist programs, students must complete anatomy, health administration, and medical practice courses. In addition, medical schools require around 100 credits of clinical clerkships and hands-on training. The last requirement is a medical examination at the culmination of the training program. Upon completion, students will have a Doctor of Medicine (MD) degree or a Doctor of Osteopathy (DO) degree.

Practical training beyond medical school is required to become a forensic pathologist. Therefore, students usually apply to residency programs while still in medical school but begin after graduation. These three to five-year programs allow students to work with professional forensic pathologists in public and private offices.

The following is a selection of forensic pathology fellowship programs to which students who have completed a pathology residency and are eligible for the American Board of Pathology certification can apply.

The Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai offers exceptional training in anatomic, clinical, and molecular pathology. Several tracks are available, including AP/CP, AP-only, CP-only, AP/MP, and a physician-scientist training in experimental pathology (PSTEP).

• Location: New York, NY
• Duration: Varies by track
• Accreditation: Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)

The School of Medicine at the University of Colorado at Denver offers a forensic pathology fellowship for new doctors who have completed their medical degrees and fellowship. Training at CU Denver essentially involves work in the Denver Office of the Medical Examiner.

The fellowship lasts for 12 months and includes training at the Denver Police Department Crime Laboratory and The Veterans Affairs Medical Center Chemistry and Molecular Laboratories. Fellows can expect to learn about DNA/serology, firearms, trace evidence, scene documentation and photography, latent prints, drug analysis, and toxicology.

• Location: Denver, CO
• Duration: One year
• Accreditation: Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)

The School of Medicine at Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) forensic pathology fellowship is offered under the supervision of the Office of the Chief Medical Examiner for the Commonwealth of Virginia. The fellowship lasts one year and includes didactic training and hands-on forensic examination experience. This program is accredited by the National Association of Medical Examiners (NAME) and meets the requirements for the American Board of Pathology’s certification in forensic pathology.

• Location: Richmond, VA
• Duration: One year
• Accreditation: Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)

The University of Michigan offers a one-year fellowship in forensic pathology. Fellows can expect to work alongside the Wayne County Medical Examiner’s Office in Detroit, Michigan, learning forensic examination techniques and courtroom testimony, toxicology, criminalistics, anthropology, odontology, and other specialties. In addition, fellows in this program can expect to perform approximately 350 autopsies and death scene investigations.

• Location: Ann Arbor, MI
• Duration: One year
• Accreditation: Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME)

Online Graduate Certificates in Forensic Pathology

For those who wish to pursue a career tangential but related to forensic pathology, there is the option to become a forensic science technician. This is a burgeoning field: the BLS predicts forensic science technician careers will grow 14 percent between 2023 and 2033, which is much faster than the national average of 4 percent (BLS 2024). Graduate certificates are a valid steppingstone for those looking to pivot into this career. Do note that depending on the program, students may be required to have a degree in a science such as biology or chemistry, while other programs may not have such specific prerequisites.

University of Florida

The University of Florida offers an online forensic death investigation certificate. The 15-credit program includes coursework on investigating crime and death using forensic pathology and anthropology, and DNA analysis.

In addition, students can expect to learn about pharmacology, forensic odontology, and wounds. To complete this graduate-level certificate, students must complete all courses with a “C” or higher grade and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or higher. This program is ideal for applicants currently working in medical examination or pursuing careers in forensic science.

• Location: Gainesville, FL
• Duration: One to two years
• Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)

University of North Dakota

The University of North Dakota offers online death investigation training. The program, offered through the UND Office of Extended Learning, includes death investigation courses in cultural competency, advanced topics, forensic pathology, and mental health issues for death investigators.

Students can complete these courses anywhere from three to 12 months, and students can take these courses to earn continuing education units (CEUs) through the American Board of Medicolegal Death Investigators (ABMDI), Minnesota Department of Health, and Peace Officer Standards Training (POST) in Minnesota, Montana, and North Dakota.

• Location: Grand Forks, ND
• Duration: Three to 12 months
• Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)

National University

National University offers an online and on-campus certificate in forensic and crime scene investigation (FCSI) that includes coursework in forensic pathology. The seven-course, 31.5-credit certificate is specifically designed for students currently employed in law enforcement, investigation, and other forensic professions.

Courses include forensic pathology, advanced criminalistics, digital evidence, and law and criminal procedure. Some credits from this online program may apply to a future master’s degree in a forensic field, although not to an MD.

• Location: La Jolla, CA
• Duration: Two years
• Accreditation: WASC Senior College and University Commission

Forensic Pathology School Accreditation and Professional Certification

There are two types of accreditation: programmatic and institutional.

Programmatic Accreditation

The Liaison Committee on Medical Education (LCME) must approve forensic pathology programs to receive accreditation. This process thoroughly evaluates the program’s curriculum, faculty, and facilities. The LCME accredits all medical education programs in the U.S. that grant the MD degree, which is necessary to practice as a forensic pathologist. A complete directory of accredited programs is available on the LCME website.

Institutional Accreditation

Students seeking an undergraduate degree before obtaining a medical degree can look for a program that has earned institutional accreditation from one of the six accrediting agencies recognized by the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA) in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education:

• Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
• Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
• Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)
• Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
• New England Association of Schools and Colleges (NEASC)
• Commission on Colleges for the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS)

Forensic Pathology Certification and Licensure

Upon completing medical school, aspiring forensic pathologists must apply to residency programs in pathology that allow them to become qualified to earn an American Board of Pathology certification. These certifications are available for both Clinical Pathology (CP) and Anatomical Pathology (AP). Alternatively, residents can earn a joint AP/CP certification.

Although not earning the certificate itself, eligibility for this certification is a prerequisite for forensic pathology fellowship applicants. While several requirements must be met, most important to note is that eligibility is contingent on an applicant having completed a medical education program in pathology or a pathology subspecialty that has been accredited by the Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education (ACGME) or the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada (RCPSC).

Residents who wish to specialize in forensic pathology may also qualify for the ABP subspecialty certification after two years of training towards the general AP, CP, or AP/CP certification. Complete requirements for certification are available from the ABP website.

How Much Do Forensic Pathologists Make?

These numbers represent data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics from May 2023—the latest figures available as of January 2025—for both physicians (including pathologists) and forensic science technicians.

Physicians (Pathologists)

• Number employed in the U.S.: 11,020
• Average annual salary (mean): $270,560
• 10th percentile: $74,220
• 25th percentile: $181,090
• 50th percentile (median): >$239,200
• 75th percentile: >$239,200
• 90th percentile: >$239,200

Forensic Science Technicians

• Number employed in the U.S.: 17,520
• Average annual salary (mean): $71,540
• 10th percentile: $41,410
• 25th percentile: $54,480
• 50th percentile (median): $64,940
• 75th percentile: $84,720
• 90th percentile: $107,490