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College of Veterinary Medicine

Residency: Anatomic Pathology 

NC State Anatomic Pathology Residency Program provides advanced training in pathology and a solid foundation to become a competent pathologist. The program prepares residents for diverse career opportunities including but not limited to academic, industry, government and diagnostic pathology positions. Training emphasizes preparation for certification by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists and personalized training experiences that align with career goals. Pursuit of specialized career paths and advanced degrees is encouraged.

Completion of this program will fulfill the prerequisites for the Anatomic Pathology Board Certification Examination by the American College of Veterinary Pathologists.

NC State trains anatomic pathology residents through four program areas:

  • Traditional Residency Program – 3 years
  • Carolina Comparative Pathology Program – 3 years
  • NCI Graduate Scholars in Molecular Pathology – 2 year residency + PhD
  • Poultry Pathology Program – 4 years, dual certification ACVP and ACPV

Our Traditional Residency Program provides advanced training in veterinary anatomic pathology and prepares residents for diverse career opportunities.  This program builds a solid foundation in pathology training and allows residents to explore diverse areas of pathology specialization, to build unique expertise, and to create a competitive career portfolio in an area of pathology they love. Trainees are encouraged to pursue MS or PhD advanced degrees that match their career goals.

The Carolina Comparative Pathology Program is a partnership between NC State and the internationally recognized University of North Carolina (UNC), School of Medicine and focuses training on both domestic animal pathology to build a solid foundation in anatomic pathology and on laboratory animal pathology to prepare candidates for career opportunities in comparative pathology, biomedical research pathology and related fields. Post residency advanced degree, PhD, training at UNC or NC State is encouraged for residents interested in collaborative or primary research career opportunities.

NOTE:  This residency does NOT participate in the residency matching program VIRMP.

Program

Anatomic pathology residents are trained in the morphologic pathology of food, companion, laboratory, aquatic, equine, avian and exotic animals.  Resident’s major activities include performing necropsies and examining surgical pathology specimens, under the supervision of a senior pathologist. Integration of pathologic findings with patient history, clinical findings, clinical pathology data, microbiology, immunology, toxicology, and other ancillary studies is emphasized. Molecular and general pathology principles are emphasized. Residents will participate in necropsy and histopathology rounds as an important component of program. Residents will be exposed to related disciplines by selecting specialized rotations in disciplines such as poultry pathology, electron microscopy, toxicological pathology, clinical pathology, or research. Residents may elect rotations or short externships at the North Carolina Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory, National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, the University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Duke University School of Medicine or at one of the variety of government and private research institutions in the Research Triangle area. Residents attend seminars, conferences, and rounds in the College, University, and other institutions in the surrounding area.

Stipends and Benefits

Stipend levels depend on the program.  Stipends begin at $35,000 with benefits for NCSU training positions and cover 3-years of training. Candidates enrolled in NCI Graduate Scholars in Molecular Pathology receive 2-years of residency funding and benefits dependent on NIH funding levels and receive subsequent support for Ph.D. training.

Mentorship

Anatomic pathology residents are assigned a three-member residency advisory committee composed of two pathologists and one non-program faculty member, selected to meet the academic interests of the resident. Residents meet with their committee at least biannually for career and residency guidance. Pathology case training, guidance and mentorship occurs daily to weekly as there is ample discussion with faculty about pathology principles and practice.

Graduate Training

Diverse opportunities are available to residents choosing to pursue graduate training. Residents planning a Ph.D. degree will be encouraged to identify mentors and to seek graduate stipend support during the residency period. Graduate studies at North Carolina State University may be pursued in one of a variety of areas including toxicology, carcinogenesis, oncology, infectious diseases, immunology, cell biology, pathology, physiology and microbiology. In addition to NC State University, research training opportunities are available at several institutions in the Research Triangle Park, including the National Institutes of Environmental Health Sciences, as well as the University of North Carolina School of Medicine and Duke University School of Medicine. Graduate programs are organized through NC State University and the research can be done in laboratories at the various institutions. When selecting candidates for open residency positions, preference will be given to individuals wishing to pursue graduate studies leading to the Ph.D. degree.

Candidate Selection 

The residency program director will coordinate the selection process and will review candidate material with anatomic pathology faculty. Applications will start to be reviewed in October of the year preceding an open July 15 position. Occasionally positions become available at alternate times depending on funding availability. NCI Molecular Pathology Graduate Fellowship program applicants should follow application deadlines provided at the NCI. Interviews will generally occur by phone conferencing. Candidates are encouraged to visit the program in person at their own expense in the 9-months preceding an application deadline.

Questions About the Program

Please send questions by email to Dr. Danielle Meritet (dmmerite@ncsu.edu) and Dr. Abigail Armwood (arwisnet@ncsu.edu)
Anatomic Pathology Residency Program Coordinator

Apply

The program is not part of the residency matching program. Applicants must possess a DVM or equivalent AVMA-recognized degree. Applicants must submit:

  • Letter of intent stating career goals
  • Curriculum vitae
  • Veterinary school transcripts including GPA, and
  • Three letters of reference.

In addition, foreign graduates of countries where English is not the official native language should include official transcripts of TOEFL scores.  In addition to submitted application material above, NC State University training positions and NC State University / Partnership training positions must fill in application material on-line through human resources at NC State University and an active web-link will be present when a position is open.  All open program positions are dependant on available funding, which fluctuates from year to year.

Applicants should apply to a specific position announcement, follow specific program position announcement deadlines for application and send original documents.  Open position announcements can be found by clicking the apply button below.  Application deadlines vary by program position announcement.  NCI Molecular Pathology Graduate Fellowship (MPGF) program applicants should submit their application material to both the NCI/NIH and to NC State University. Fellowship applicants must apply to the NC State University CBS graduate degree program through the Graduate School.  To be admitted to the fellowship program, students must be accepted by both the NIH and the NC State University residency program.

APPLY HERE 

Information for International Applicants

Preference is given to applicants who have graduated from a college that is accredited by the American Veterinary Medical Association. If you wish to apply for an internship or residency program things to keep in mind:

  1. Have your degree translated and evaluated by a reputable company. Options include: Josef Silny & Associates, Trustforte Corporation, and World Education Services
  2. Some programs require the TOFEL exam to qualify for a internship or residency position.
  3. Most foreign interns and residents are appointed to H-1B visas.
  4. To ensure that a foreign national candidate has the H-1B visa at the start of their program the candidate will be asked to pay for the premium processing filing fee of $1,225 USD, if necessary.
  5. Getting a visa takes between 4 and 6 months if the visa is expedited it takes approximately 15 business days.
  6. Take the initial steps and apply for The Educational Commission for Foreign Veterinary Graduates (ECFVG) certification program is accepted by all state veterinary regulatory boards and the federal government as meeting, either in part or full, the educational prerequisite for licensure or certain types of employment, respectively.