Residency Programs in Anatomic and Clinical Pathology

The Department of Pathobiology offers residency training programs in both anatomic pathology and clinical pathology.  For US citizens, we offer both residencies without concurrent graduate degrees as well as residencies that are combined with completion of a graduate degree (MS or PhD).  For international students, we offer residencies combined with completion of a graduate degree (MS or PhD).  The intended outcome of this experience is successful completion of the ACVP board examination.  In addition to residency training, combined programs are intended to provide residents with a strong foundation in both diagnostic pathology and biomedical research.    Prerequisites include completion of a DVM or equivalent degree by an AVMA-accredited or AVMA-listed veterinary school (please visit www.avma.org), admission to the Graduate School (Biomedical Sciences) at Auburn University, and acceptance into either the anatomic or clinical pathology residency program.  In selected instances, candidates already holding the PhD in pathology or a related biomedical science will also be considered for residency training as a visiting scholar.

Residents actively develop critical thinking, diagnostic and descriptive skills by assisting in the anatomic or clinical pathology diagnostic services in the Department of Pathobiology, participating in weekly and monthly slide rounds, journal clubs, gross rounds, specialty rounds, didactic learning, and participation in local, regional, and national meetings such as ACVP and Davis-Thompson Foundation courses.  They also gain experience in teaching by participating in course instruction within the veterinary curriculum.  Residents pursuing concurrent graduate degrees develop skills in experimental pathology through the development of a thesis or non-thesis research program, which is supported by classroom learning.  Our program is strengthened by collaborative efforts involving faculty members at the CVM with researchers located both on the main campus at Auburn University and at other institutions.

Work at our school is enhanced by specific resources available within the College of Veterinary Medicine, including virtual microscopy (slide scanning/image analysis), flow cytometry/FACS, multispectral imaging, laser-capture microdissection, transmission electron microscopy and in vivo imaging (CT, MRI and bioluminescence).  CVM faculty participate in a variety of research initiatives including the Auburn University Research Initiative in Cancer, the Boshell Diabetes Research Program, the Scott-Ritchey Research Center, and the AU/HudsonAlpha Center for Comparative Genomics and Translational Research. The Thompson-Bishop-Sparks State Diagnostic Laboratory (part of the Alabama Department of Agriculture) is located adjacent to the CVM, and enables close collaboration and cooperation in the conduct of diagnostic veterinary anatomic pathology.

There is excellent integration of the residency programs in anatomic and clinical pathology.

Opportunities for elective courses as well as the distribution of time spent in diagnostic services and research are flexible; program structure for each individual is tailored to match resident interests and program needs. Collegiality and a productive, interactive work environment are a top priority.

Application Process

For more information regarding the application process, please contact: