Admissions

1. at least a bachelor's degree or its academic equivalent.
2. Applicants must have the following prerequisites: Biology (6 units), Physiology (3 units), Chemistry or Biochemistry (3 units), Human Anatomy (3 units), and Mathematics (3 units) at the postsecondary level and a course in Medical Terminology. It is to the applicant’s advantage to have completed all prerequisite courses within the last 10 years.
3. successful completion of a Medical Terminology course. This course can be in any format (online, in person, correspondence) and taken from any institution.
4. successful completion of a course focused on the histories, experiences, and/or perspective of Indigenous peoples in Canada. For students who have not met the requirement at the time of admission, a condition of their admission would be to complete the course by the start of the first term of registration. This requirement may be fulfilled by completing:
     - the certificate version of the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada MOOC within the 5 years preceding the first term of registration; or
     - if the above course was completed more than 5 years preceding the first term of registration or is not offered, another course approved by the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology graduate program.
5. an admission grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on the University of Alberta 4-point scale, or the equivalent qualification from another institution - this is calculated on the most recent course work (equivalent to 60 units of course weight or the last two years of full-time study).
6. proof of English language proficiency (ELP) if the applicant does not hold a degree from countries or international universities listed on the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research page of Recognized English Language Countries and Institutions The following ELP examinations are recognized; minimum scores required by Laboratory Medicine and Pathology are:

• TOEFL (internet-based): A minimum overall score of 95 with a minimum of 21 on each individual skill area.
• Academic IELTS: A minimum overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each band.
• EAP 550 (EXELP 7550): Successful completion of the EAP 550 course will fulfill the English Language Proficiency (ELP) requirement for the Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry’s Graduate Programs.
  Conditional Acceptance: If conditional acceptance to the graduate program is granted based on the future completion of EAP 550, the course must be successfully completed before the commencement of the graduate program.

Admitted students are responsible for these requirements and any fees associated with them.

Police Information Checks: Applicants should be aware that a clear Police Information Check, which must include a Vulnerable Sector Check, is required at the time of admission. Students who fail to provide a clear Police Information Check may be required to withdraw from their program. See the University of Alberta Calendar for more information on the requirements for Police Information Checks and the fees associated with them.

Immunizations: Students are required to obtain specified immunizations. The form and further details will be provided on admission to the program.

A maximum of 3 students will be accepted into the program each year.

Applicants to this program are required to apply using the graduate studies online application system.

Start term: Applications are accepted for the Fall (September) term only.

Application and supporting documents deadline: Applications and all supporting documentation, including reference letters, must be received by April 1.

Supporting documents:

1. Official transcripts or marksheets and degree certificates from each university or post-secondary institution previously attended
2. Proof of English language proficiency (if necessary).
3. Proof of successful completion of a Medical Terminology course. This course can be in any format (online, in person, correspondence), taken from any institution. if the course will not be completed by the application deadline, submit a Medical Terminology Course Plan instead.
4. Proof of successful completion of an Indigenous History Studies course. This course can be in any format (online, in person, correspondence), taken from any institution. if the course will not be completed by the application deadline, submit an Indigenous History Studies Course Plan instead.
5. Curriculum vitae or resumé (do not use the University of Alberta's CV Form)
6. Letter of intent. This letter should address the following:
   • Why have you chosen this profession?
   • Why are you a good fit for this profession?
   • What are your professional goals and ambitions?
   • Demonstrate / reflect on your attention to detail, fine motor skills, ability to multitask and manage competing priorities, computers skills.
7. Two references (see Reference Letters Instructions)

Except for references, all supporting documentation is uploaded during the application process.

Names and email addresses of referees are provided during the application process, and reference request emails are sent upon final submission of the application.

Evaluation of applications: All eligible applications will be assessed and ranked by the program's admissions committee. Candidates who are shortlisted will be invited to an interview in April (in person or via videoconference).

Offers of admission: The applications of successful candidates will be forwarded to the Faculty of Graduate Studies and Research (FGSR) with a recommendation for admission. The FGSR makes a final review of the application, and only the FGSR may extend the official offer of admission.

References may be academic or work. While the online application system requests 2 work references and 1 academic reference, this is a guideline only; we will accept any combination of work and academic references.

Applicants are to advise their referees to address the following in the General Appraisal section of the referee form and/or in their reference letter:

1. Provide an appraisal of the following specific qualities of the applicant:
   1. Critical thinking / problem solving
   2. Work ethic / industriousness
   3. Multitasking / managing competing priorities
   4. Judgment
   5. Attention to detail
   6. Fine motor skills
   7. Communication skills
2. Address the applicant's ability to carry on advanced study and research, teaching ability, potential for successful study in the applicant's field, and weaknesses, if any. Please provide specific examples to support your comments.

Based on the current fee structure, for a Canadian/Permanent Resident, the approximate total cost in tuition and fees for this two year program (24 months) is ~$15,000 CAD.

For an international student, the approximate total cost in tuition and fees for this two year program (24 months) is ~$34,000 CAD.

These are estimates only; see Tuition + Fees for more information.

There is no funding support (stipend) offered to students in this program.

Students admitted to this program may compete for such awards as:

• Alberta Graduate Excellence Scholarship
•  Awards managed by the FGSR
•  Awards internal to Laboratory Medicine & Pathology

Applications are reviewed first for eligibility, i.e. that the minimum required admission GPA has been met, proof of English language proficiency requirement has been met (if necessary), all prerequisites courses have been taken, and all supporting documentation has been received and is in order. Once that initial assessment is made, the admissions committee will evaluate eligible applications. The factors considered are the admission GPA, prerequisite course grades, the applicant's CV, the letter of intent, and the referees' appraisals. Academics (admission GPA and prerequisite courses) are weighted more heavily.

The top applicants are shortlisted for an interview (either in person or teleconference) and the result of the interview is also factored into the final decision. A maximum of 3 applicants are offered admission.

While the medical terminology course can be a university course, it does not have to be.

For a non-university course, the applicant must demonstrate successful completion of course, not just "participation". Often a certificate of completion is issued. This course can be in any format (online, in person, correspondence) and taken from any institution. Courses include offerings from NAIT, SAIT, Canadian Red Cross, Medix Online, and Universal Class but are not limited to these.

A standalone course dedicated to medical terminology must be taken. Medical terminology taught within the context of another course (or series of courses) is not considered sufficient for admission purposes.

If you are uncertain whether a course you are considering would meet this prerequisite, please provide the details of the course to our office (lmpadmis@ualberta.ca) and we will advise you.

No. If your course work or degree program is still in progress at the deadline (April 1), your application will be considered based on the work completed. However, if admission is offered, admission will be conditional on successful completion of the coursework to a minimum standard by June 30. If the condition is not met, the offer of admission would be immediately withdrawn.

Postsecondary courses not in progress at the application deadline will not be considered.

All prerequisite courses must be successfully completed at the postsecondary level from a recognized institution. Typically 3 units of course weight is a 1-term course; 6 units would be a 2-term course or two 1-term courses.

If you are uncertain whether a course is a suitable prerequisite, please provide the details of the course to our office (lmpadmis@ualberta.ca) and we will advise you. Include as much detail as possible (institution, course name and number, course description, course syllabus or outline, etc).

# No students were enrolled in the final half of the program (practicum) with expected graduation in 2021.

CCCPA - Canadian Certification Council of Pathologists’ Assistants.

ASCP-BOC- American Society for Clinical Pathology-Board of Certification.  Prior to NAACLS accreditation (graduation year before 2020), graduates were not eligible to write the ASCP-BOC exam.