Program Tracks
Combined Anatomic/Clinical Pathology (AP/CP)
4 Year Program
Program Overview:
The combined AP/CP program is the most common track residents choose to complete at UCLA and, consists of core anatomic pathology rotations (88 weeks; in 2- or 4-weeks block rotations), core clinical pathology rotations (72 weeks; 4 week block rotations), 12 weeks of senior/fellowship level advanced rotations, and 22-24 weeks of electives. The AP and CP rotations are integrated throughout the residency-training program. This allows for early exposure to all essential aspects of pathology and helps residents make an informed career/fellowship decision. Combined AP/CP residents can choose from an AP-emphasized AP/CP training model or a CP-emphasized AP/CP training model, which entails different senior/fellowship level advanced rotations.
Example Schedule
Years 1 & 2: Integrated Core AP & CP Rotations (with an AP emphasis)
Year 3: Complete Core AP rotations, continue CP Rotations
Year 4: Complete Core CP & Senior Rotations
Anatomic Pathology (AP) Only, Research Track, or Clinical Track
3 Year Program
Program Overview:
The AP only track provides an intensive 3 year delve into anatomic pathology that will equip trainees with knowledge and experience to become experts in their field and, pursue research and academic careers. The training program encompasses all academic and surgical pathology specialties, including cytology and image-guided fine needle aspiration, hematopathology, neuropathology and autopsy/forensic pathology. The curriculum consists of the core AP rotations (96 weeks), 4 weeks of hematopathology/lymphoma service, 6 weeks of molecular pathology, 2 weeks of cytogenetics, 8-10 weeks of senior/fellowship level AP rotations and 38 weeks of electives or laboratory research which are preferably completed towards the end of residency.
Example Schedule
Year 1: Core AP rotations
Year 2: Complete Core AP rotations, senior AP rotations
Year 3: Molecular, cytogenetics, senior rotations, electives/research
Clinical Pathology (CP) Only, Research Track
3 Year Program
Program Overview:
The CP only program provides education and exposure to all subspecialty areas of laboratory medicine, including hospital information systems. UCLA performs approximately 2.7 million laboratory tests per year in the clinical laboratory, drawing from our main inpatient hospital settings (Ronald Reagan Medical Center & UCLA Santa Monica Hospital), more than 180 outpatient clinic sites throughout the greater Los Angeles metro area, and the Bruin University Reference Laboratory (BURL). The curriculum consists of the core CP rotations (96 weeks months), 22 weeks of elective senior/fellowship level CP rotations, and 6 months of laboratory research which are preferably completed towards the end of residency. If desired, up to 22 weeks of senior level CP rotations may be substituted with anatomic pathology rotations.
Example Schedule
Year 1: Core CP rotations
Year 2: Complete Core CP rotations, senior CP rotations
Year 3: Senior CP rotations, research
Research Residency
3 or 4 Year Program
Program Overview:
The research environment at UCLA is rich and diverse, with numerous opportunities for clinical, translational, and basic scientific research. Our training program is flexible and provides trainees with outstanding clinical training as well as opportunities to work with any faculty member at UCLA. Additional opportunities for research training exist at the California Institute of Technology, a world-renowned basic scientific and research institute, via the UCLA STAR program. Our goal is to produce outstanding physician investigators who will meld the practice of pathology with innovative research.
To enable an effective transition from clinical training to research training, UCLA Pathology makes a long-term commitment to physician scientists. From recruitment to residency training to post-doctoral research and beyond, close mentoring and support of highly qualified research track candidates will be accomplished by a team of physician scientist faculty in Pathology, complemented as appropriate with scientist and physician scientist faculty from other medical school Departments or other UCLA Schools (such as Engineering). Following clinical residency training, UCLA Pathology commits to salary support for up to 3 years, commensurate with PGY training year, for candidates in good standing who have committed to pursue a career as a clinician scientist. A partial clinical commitment (10-20%) is highly encouraged so that candidates maintain their clinical practice.
The research residency track can be completed in tandem with either the combined AP/CP (4 years), AP only (3 years), or CP only (3 years) programs.
The combined AP/CP research residency curriculum consists of the core AP rotations (88 weeks), the core CP rotations (72 weeks), advanced AP rotations (6 weeks) and up to 26 weeks of research, preferably completed towards the end of residency.
The AP only research residency curriculum consists of the core AP rotations (88 weeks), hematopathology/lymphoma service (4 weeks), molecular pathology (6 weeks), cytogenetics (2 weeks), 22 weeks of senior AP elective, and up to 26 weeks of laboratory research, preferably completed towards the end of residency.
The CP only research residency curriculum consists of the core CP rotations (96 months), 22 weeks of senior/fellowship level CP rotations, and 26 weeks of laboratory research.
Combined Anatomic Pathology/Neuropathology
4 or 5 Year Program
Program Overview:
Combined AP-only residency and Neuropathology fellowship. This is traditionally chosen by those who enter residency with a strong interest in a career in Neuropathology and/or Forensics. This program may either be completed with a 3-year or 2-year AP only program following by a 2-year neuropathology fellowship. Determination of 3-year versus 2-year AP only track is made on a case-by-case basis. Prospective AP/NP track residents will be informed regarding the availability of a 2 or 3 year AP only track position prior to rank list submission deadline.