Approval Process, - TN

TO: Randy Boyd

President, University of Tennessee

FROM: Mike Krause

SUBJECT: University of Tennessee, Health Science Center

Letter of Notification: Master of Health Science in Pathology Assistant

DATE: May 12, 2020

Thank you for the submission of the revised Letter of Notification (LON) for the Master of Health

Science (MHS) in Pathology Assistant program. Per THEC Policy A1.0 New Academic Programs:

Approval Process, the LON is evaluated on the following criteria: alignment with state master plan

and institutional mission, need, sustainable demand, program costs and revenues; institutional

capacity to deliver the proposed academic program; and avoidance of duplication.

I approve University of Tennessee, Health Science Center’s LON to plan the Pathology Assistant

MHS program. As the institution develops the New Academic Program Proposal (NAPP), all concerns

highlighted in the revised LON must be reflected in the NAPP including creating a defined pipeline

of students for the proposed program. It is understood that the proposed program will be in

alignment with the mission at UTHSC, support the THEC 2020 Master Plan objectives for the future of

work, and will be implemented with existing funds.

The LON projects implementation of the Pathology Assistant MHS program in Fall 2021. Please be

advised that the Letter of Notification itself will be posted on the THEC website for public disclosure.

Attachment

cc: Linda Martin

Karen Brinkley Etzkorn

Lori Gonzalez

Stephen Alway

Betty Dandridge Johnson

MIKE KRAUSE

Executive Director

BILL LEE

Governor

STATE OF TENNESSEE

HIGHER EDUCATION COMMISSION

PARKWAY TOWERS, SUITE 1900

NASHVILLE, TENNESSEE 37243-0830

(615) 741-3605

UTHSC, Pathology Assistant, MHS

Tennessee Higher Education Commission

Letter of Notification Evaluation

May 12, 2020

The evaluation of the Letter of Notification (LON) is in accordance with the THEC Policy A1.0 New Academic

Programs: Approval Process. The evaluation is conducted by interested parties and THEC staff. The LON is

posted on the THEC website for a 15 day period of comment by interested parties. Based on the internal and

external evaluation, THEC will make a determination of the LON to support, not to support, or defer a decision

based on a revised LON.

Institution: University of Tennessee Health Science Center LON Submission Date: March 2, 2020

Revised Submission: April 20, 2020

Academic Program, Degree Designation: Master of Health Science in Pathology Assistant (PathA)

Proposed CIP Code: 51.0811 (Pathology/Pathologist Assistant)

Proposed Implementation Date: Fall 2021

Time Period Posted on Website for Public Comment: March 4 – 18, 2020

Note: Comments in italics within this document should be addressed in the NAPP submission.

Criteria Comments

Letter of Support from

President/Chancellor

▪ Letter of support from Chancellor Schwab (dated February 26, 2020).

▪ Letter of support from Vice President of Academic Affairs Dr. Linda

Martin (dated February 26, 2020).

Overall Comments ▪ The proposed Pathologists’ Assistant (PathA) program aligns with an

identified need for allied health professionals with a strong emphasis

on research training for laboratory and pathologic support.

▪ The proposed program will prepare students for the American Society

for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification examination for

Pathologists’ Assistant. After successful completion of the ASCP

examination, the designation PA(ASCP) is awarded, making the

graduates eligible for licensure in the state of Tennessee. Licensing

laws differ by state.

▪ Please revisit, “How will UTHSC ensure sufficient enrollment and

graduation rates to remain viable?” Identify student recruitment plans

rather than employment demand.

Background on Academic

Program Development

▪ The College of Health Professions (COHP) proposes a Pathologists’

Assistant (PathA) program to meet the growing need for laboratory

professionals with a strong emphasis on research training at earlier

stages than existing programs.

▪ The NAACLS-accredited PathA program will be one of only 11 of its

kind in the U.S. and Canada. It appears two additional programs have

achieved NAACLS accreditation – please update to reflect current number

of programs.

Purpose and Nature of Program ▪ The proposed PathA program is designed to educate and train

academically qualified and highly competent health professionals to

provide surgical, autopsy, and forensic pathology professional

services under the guidance of a board-certified pathologist.

https://www.naacls.org/Find-a-Program.aspx


▪ Upon completing this program, students will be prepared to serve in

hospitals, clinical laboratories, biorepositories, and medical teaching

facilities.

▪ The 24-month program is focused on didactical coursework with

lecture and laboratory formats in the first year and clinical rotation

clerkships at affiliated hospitals, private pathology groups, and major

academic centers in the second year.

Alignment with State Master

Plan and Institutional Mission

▪ The proposed program aligns with the state master plan by adding an

attractive graduate program in a high-demand health profession.

▪ The PathA program is consistent with the institutional mission of the

university to “Improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and

the global community by fostering integrated, collaborative, and

inclusive education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and

public service.”

Institutional Capacity to Deliver

the Proposed Program

▪ COHP offers degrees and certificates in laboratory sciences, including

Medical Laboratory Science, Cytotechnology, and Histotechnology.

The laboratory science programs have agreed to collaborate with the

proposed PathA program and will share faculty, courses, educational

resources, laboratory equipment, clinical placement, and integrated

research opportunities.

▪ The degree will be housed in the Department of Diagnostic and

Health Sciences and will be located on the Memphis campus.

▪ The College and UTHSC are committed to investing the resources

necessary to offer the proposed program and expect net gains in

enrollment due to the increased demand for this profession both

locally and nationally.

Existing programs offered at

public and private Tennessee

institutions

▪ There are currently no PathA programs in the state of Tennessee and

only 2,000 certified PathAs in the world.

▪ See Table 1 below.

Student Interest ▪ Fifty-eight (58) senior students majoring in Biological Sciences at the

UT-Martin were invited to participate in a survey to evaluate their

interest in the proposed PathA degree, of those, 13 students

expressed an interest in the degree.

▪ During the public comment period, MTSU submitted a letter of

support and indicated “With over 20,000 undergraduate students,

MTSU is one of the largest producers of graduates who go on to

professional programs in the health sciences in this region of the

United States. We believe that a high quality program as is described

in the UTHSC Letter of Intent would be of interest to many of our pre-

health science students.”

▪ Please revisit, “How will UTHSC ensure sufficient enrollment and

graduation rates to remain viable?” Identify student recruitment plans

rather than employment demand.

Local and regional need ▪ Consultants from national and state PathA professional organizations

anticipate growing demand based on the expansion of pathology

procedures and services into a variety of clinical settings, the rapidly

expanding and aging population with more extensive medical issues,

a growing adherence to a team approach to patient diagnosis and


care (often driven by fiscal parameters), and the retirement cycle of

current professionals.

▪ The absence of programs across the Southeast region makes the

Academic Common Market a possibility for students from other

states.

▪ All hospitals surveyed in and surrounding Memphis expressed

interest and offered clinical training and employment opportunities

for the growing profession.

Employer need/demand ▪ The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2018) lacks information on the

emerging PathA profession; however, it classifies pathologists'

assistants within the physicians' assistant category and projects job

growth for the entire field to be 31 percent from 2018 to 2028.

▪ The other regional PathA programs have a 100% job placement rate at

the time of graduation. According to AAPA, the aggregate program

data indicate that the trends in enrollment continue to increase from

year to year.

▪ The PathA profession is relatively new and the COVID-19 crisis has

increased demand for laboratory personnel.

Future sustainable

need/demand

▪ PathAs are employed in community hospitals, academic centers such

as medical schools and university hospitals, private pathology

laboratories, medical research centers, government hospitals, and

medical examiner offices.

▪ Letters of support were received from Jackson Pathology Group,

Regional One Medical Health Center, St. Thomas Midtown Hospital,

PathGroup/Erlanger Health System, and Methodist LeBonheur

Healthcare.

▪ The American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants’ (AAPA) website

asserts the cost-effectiveness of PathAs in contributing to the overall

efficiency of laboratory practice.

Program costs/revenues and

THEC Financial Projection Form

▪ Costs will include one full-time program director position in year zero

at an annual salary of $120,000 to include a 3 percent increase

annually, faculty member starting in year one with an annual salary of

$80,000 to include a 3 percent increase annually, and renovation costs

for creating specialized teaching and laboratory spaces ($78,400).

▪ The increase for the Program Director is not included from the planning

year to year 1 – please adjust.

▪ Enrollment is projected based on an initial cohort of five students. The

proposed program is projected to graduate 4 students in the second

year which assumes a 5% attrition rate.

▪ The proposed program is considering a 2% increase in tuition and

fees based on UTHSC’s projections due to the current COVID-19 crisis.

▪ Balanced budget line for year 1 does not match total expenditures –

please reconcile.

▪ Please review and clarify year 4-line item for travel. The current expense is

listed as $400. In other years the expense is listed as $4,000.

Public comments ▪ Public comments were received from Middle Tennessee State

University (see letter below).


Table 1: Similar Programs in Tennessee and the Region

Institution

Program Title and

Degree

Designation

CIP Code Description/ Focus of

Program

Miles

from UT

Campus

2014-18

Degrees

Awarded

Rosalind Franklin

Univ of Medicine

and Science

Master of Science in

Pathologists'

Assistant

51.0811 http://www.rosalindfrankl

in.edu/ 533 162

Duke University

Master’s degree of

Pathologist

Assistant

51.0811

https://pathology.duke.ed

u/education/pathologists-

assistant-program

724 24

West Virginia

University

Master of Health

Science in

Pathologist

Assistant

51.0811 http://medicine.hsc.wvu.e

du/pa 754 75

Drexel University


Pathologists’

Assistant (PathA)

51.0811

https://drexel.edu/medici

ne/academics/graduate-

/pathologists-assistant-

patha

1,011 73

Loma Linda

University

Master of Heath

Science in

Pathologist

Assistant

51.0811

https://home.llu.edu/pro

grams/pathologists-

assistant-mhs

1,757 11

University of

Maryland

Baltimore


Pathologists’

Assistant (PathA)

51.0811

https://www.medschool.u

maryland.edu/pathology/

Pathologists-Assistant-

Program/

907 51

http://www.rosalindfranklin.edu/


https://pathology.duke.edu/education/pathologists-assistant-program



http://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/pa


https://drexel.edu/medicine/academics/graduate-/pathologists-assistant-patha




https://home.llu.edu/programs/pathologists-assistant-mhs



https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/pathology/Pathologists-Assistant-Program/




Letter of Notification (LON)

Institution: University of Tennessee Health Science Center

College: College of Health Professions

Department: N/A

Title of Degree: Master of Health Science in Pathology Assistant

Formal Degree Abbreviation: PathA

CIP/THEC Code: 51.0811

CIP Code Title: Pathology/Pathology Assistant

Proposed Implementation Date: Fall 2021

Academic Program Liaisons: Karen Etzkorn, Director of Academic Affairs 711-F Andy Holt TowerUniversity of Tennessee System, 37996Phone number: 865-974-2104Email: [email protected]

Stephen E. Alway, Professor and Dean College of Health Professions College of Health Professions 930 Madison Avenue The University of Tennessee Health Science Center Memphis TN 38163 Email: [email protected]

Letter of Notification (Revised) UTHSC Pathology Assistant 1

mailto:[email protected]

mailto:[email protected]

1

Response to Letter of Notification Evaluation

UTHSC Master of Health Science in Pathology Assistant (PathA)

Both the national survey of general interest in health professions and the targeted survey of UT Martin Biological Sciences majors show limited student interest in a PathA degree. In addition, there are few practicing PathAs in the market and vague BLS employment growth rate predictions. Please clarify and develop recruitment and program sustainability plans.

The NAACLS-accredited PathA program will be one of only 11 of its kind in the US and Canada. It will teach students to examine, process, and prepare tissue specimens for a variety of clinical tests and procedures. The skills acquired place students in high demand in hospitals, clinical laboratories, research, and medical teaching facilities. Our program emphasizes a strong foundation in the theory and application of anatomical, surgical, and autopsy pathology. The combination of knowledge and technical skill enables students to competently identify diseases, assist in post-mortem examinations, and compile accurate clinical histories.

State-of-the-art facilities, such as clinical skills lab, blend the classroom and laboratory dynamic for a collaborative and hands-on learning experience. The 12-month rotations place students in both community and university hospitals, giving the opportunity to apply skills in settings for both surgical and autopsy pathology and further define career goals.

We strongly believe this will be a niche profession added to the medical and clinical laboratory educational programs offered by the Department and the College. Each program will complement each other in terms of resources, faculty expertise, supplies, and student recruitment.

Please see page 4 of the revised LON to review this change.

Is licensure required for practicing pathologists' assistants? If not, what are the typical credentials for those practicing in this field?

Once students graduate from a NAACLS accredited program, they are eligible to take the ASCP certification examination. After successful completion of the examination, the designation PA(ASCP) is awarded, making the graduates eligible for licensure in the state of Tennessee.

Several states have laws requiring the licensing of other clinical laboratory personnel such as medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, histotechnologists, cytotechnologists, etc. Most of these laws were written and passed years, even decades ago, when pathologists' assistants were not widely recognized as separate practitioners in the laboratory. Many of these state laws contain a generic clause stating that their personnel standards and licensing requirements apply to anyone performing any examination, measurement, evaluation or testing of any material derived from the human body for the purposes of the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention or treatment of disease. This broad catch-

2

all definition technically would include the activities of a pathologists' assistant. However, since pathologists' assistants have recently become widely recognized, many of these older state laws do not provide a licensing category for pathologists' assistants, nor do these laws recognize the existence of pathologists' assistants as laboratory practitioners.

Please see pages 17-18 of the revised LON to review this change.

Include the section "purpose and nature of the program."

Section added.


Table 1 (page 8) does not include CIP codes or degrees awarded. Please update or provide a narrative as to why this is the case. For reference, Table 1 below is based on IPEDS data for CIP code 51.0811 and provides the number of graduates from 2014-2018.

Table updated.

Please see pages 8-9 of the revised LON to review this change.

Although the feasibility study shows some student interest, the actual number of students is small. How will UTHSC ensure sufficient enrollment and graduation rates to remain viable?

Two aspects of the proposed program support the future sustainable need and demand for graduates of this program. One aspect is associated with the way medical laboratories within healthcare facilities are operating. Health organizations would prefer to hire pathologist's assistants due to budget constraints. The American Association of Pathologists' Assistants' website talks about the cost-effectiveness of PathAs in budget-conscious times: "With the increased pressures on healthcare systems to control costs, pathologists' assistants contribute to the overall efficiency of the laboratory or pathology practice in a cost-effective manner."

A second aspect is connected to the innovative curriculum of the proposed program that focuses on interprofessional practice with other laboratory-related programs within the department; Medical Laboratory Science, Cytotechnology, and Histotechnology, as well as the college's emphasis on interprofessional education with all health science programs.


Please include information specific to the local and regional demand for certified pathologists' assistants.

This exciting health care specialty is rapidly becoming recognized across the nation and locally as preparing professionals who may have administrative, research, and educational capabilities, as well as being able to provide essential anatomic pathology laboratory services. All hospitals surveyed in the Memphis area and its surrounding expressed an interest and would support an academic program producing certified PathAs in the form of offering clinical training spots and employments opportunities for the graduates.

3

Regional demand for PathAs is higher than the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a 22% projected employment growth increase is expected in Tennessee between 2018 and 2026. Additionally, location quotients provide relevant employment information. The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration.

The other PathA programs have a 100% job placement rate at the time of graduation. Increased regional need indicates there is an increased demand for students who are qualified to meet that need. According to AAPA, the aggregate program data indicate that the trends in enrollment continue to increase from year to year. These trends are expected to continue to rise. Given the regional and national need, more qualified students must enter PathA programs to ensure access to quality care.


"The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) predicts that national employment opportunities for PathAs will increase by 18 percent between 2014 and 2024." Please provide supporting documentation for this.

The career outlook for pathologists' assistants is strong. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2018) classifies pathologists' assistants within the physicians' assistant category, and, as such, projects job growth for the entire field to be 31 percent from 2018 to 2028. This growth is much faster than the average predicted for all positions, which is just 7 percent for the same period.


Table 2 shows increases in PathA related positions; please provide estimates of how many of these positions are specifically for Pathologists' Assistants. Additionally, regional growth is expected to decline compared to US growth. How will UTHSC ensure students have job opportunities after completing the proposed program?

The PathA profession is relatively new, and bundling it with similar health professions does not provide a reasonable estimate on demands. The COVID-19 crisis has proven the increased demand for laboratory personnel.

The LON mentions the existence of labor analysis by both the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the American Association of Pathologists' Assistants (AAPA) specifically for PathA programs – please provide some of this research in the revised LON.

Reference added.


Enrollment is projected based on an initial cohort of five students and a mature enrollment of 16 students. The enrollment projections do not account for any attrition – this does not seem feasible. Please provide an additional narrative of how UTHSC will ensure zero attrition or provide an updated table and financial projections.

4

Enrollment projection was adjusted to account for attrition. However, attrition at UTHSC is relatively low in most programs in the college due to the caliber of students recruited into health-related professions.

Enrollment numbers are not aligned with graduation and admission numbers – please correct or explain.

Graduation and admission numbers are corrected, and an explanation added.

Please see page 19 of the revised LON to review this change. Please provide additional detail for the faculty proposed. The THEC Financial Projection Form shows funds allocated in years 1-5; however, the narrative mentions faculty only for curriculum development.

Program Director will be hired in Year zero at $120,000 annual salary at a 3% increase annually. An Additional faculty starting in Year 1 will be hired with an annual salary of $80,000 at a 3% increase.

The revised LON and the THEC Financial Projection Form have been updated.

Please see page 19 and Appendix A to review this change.

One-time equipment investments for teaching laboratories and space renovations are listed in Year 0 of the Financial Projection Form, but Year 1 of the narrative; please reconcile.

One-time equipment investment is reconciled to be in year zero.

Please see Appendix A.

Please include expenses on the THEC Financial Projection Form.

Updated THEC Financial Projection Form included.


Faculty Sub-totals should sum salary and benefits, and the balanced budget line should total zero – please adjust.

Adjusted THEC Financial Projection Form included, showing a zero balance.


Tuition and fees should take into consideration increases based on UTHSC's projections.

At the writing of the proposal, UTHSC was projecting a tuition increase of 0%. Due to the current COVID-19 crisis, this could change, and the proposal is considering an annual 2% increase.


https://www.tn.gov/thec/bureaus/academic-affairs-and-student-success/academic-programs/program-approval---academic-policies/redirect-program-approval---academic-policies/academic-policies--checklists-and-forms.html

Table of Contents

Background and Nature of the Program ......................................................................................... 3

Alignment with State Master Plan and Institutional Mission ......................................................... 5

Institutional Capacity for Program Delivery ................................................................................... 7

Existing Programs in Tennessee and in the Region ........................................................................ 8

Feasibility Study ........................................................................................................................... 10

Program Costs and Revenues........................................................................................................ 17

Appendices .................................................................................................................................... 20

Appendix A: THEC Financial Projection Form ....................................................................... 20

Appendix B: Feasibility Study .................................................................................................. 23

Appendix C: Letters of Support ................................................................................................ 34


Background Concerning Academic Program Development

The College of Health Professions (COHP) at the University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) educates competent health professionals, provides services that address the health care needs of the people of Tennessee, trains professionals to provide leadership in their respective fields, contributes to the knowledge bases of distinct health disciplines, and promotes lifelong learning through continuing education. The COHP houses the departments of Audiology and Speech Pathology, Diagnostic and Health Sciences, Occupational Therapy, and Physical Therapy.

The college proposes a new two-year Pathologists’ Assistant (PathA) program leading to a Master of Health Science degree. The proposed program will complement the college’s current educational offerings and research goals. Rapid developments in health-care are shaping the preparation of clinicians for advanced practice roles. At the same time, a growing need for more laboratory professionals is resulting in significant changes in the academic degrees leading to careers in laboratory medicine and pathology with a strong emphasis on entry into research training at much earlier stages. The changes underway will undoubtedly increase the cadre of laboratory professionals needed to address the pressing health problems in society and to expand the number of clinicians needed in the future. A PathA is a highly trained allied health professional who provides various services under the direction and supervision of a pathologist. PathAs interact with pathologists, much like physician’s assistants do in surgical and medical practice, carrying out their duties under the direction of their physicians. PathAs receive training to provide accurate and timely processing of a variety of laboratory specimens, including the majority of pathological specimens. PathAs also perform post-mortem examinations, including pro-section, rendering the provisional anatomic diagnosis, composing the clinical history, recording the macroscopic anatomic findings, and submitting tissue sections for microscopic examination. Pathologists’ assistants play a critical role in the delivery of health-care services in both surgical pathology and autopsy pathology. These professionals represent a crucial component in making a pathologic diagnosis, although it is the sole province of a pathologist to render a diagnosis.

The majority of PathAs are responsible for the gross examination and dissection of anatomic pathology specimens and the performance of post-mortem examinations. PathAs prepare tissue for numerous pathological tests, including frozen section1, flow cytometry2, and immune-histochemical staining3. They may also photograph gross and microscopic specimens, help prepare educational conferences, and provide training to pathology personnel, including pathology

1 During an operation, tissue is transferred to the frozen tissue lab directly from the operating room. There, it is placed on a freezing microtome machine where the bottom of the sample is frozen within seconds. A razor-thin slice of tissue is extracted from the frozen section, prepared on a slide and placed under the microscope for review. See: https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/surgery/overview/frozen-section-pathology-lab 2 “Flow cytometry, as we know it today, was first developed at Stanford University, California, in the late 1960s1 and found its first true clinical acceptance in the management of patients with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) far back in the early 1980s. The impact of flow cytometry has been tremendous within clinical pathology…becoming a well-established part of the modern laboratory repertoire and a frontline component of modern leukaemia diagnosis.” See Virgo and Gibbs (2011) https://doi.org/10.1258/acb.2011.0111283 Immunohistochemistry (IHC) is considered to be an advanced form of histopathology. Immunohistochemistry is not usually used initially but is added when routine/regular histological testing is insufficient to form a diagnosis. See: https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/immunohistochemistry-stains/


https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/surgery/overview/frozen-section-pathology-lab

https://www.mayoclinic.org/departments-centers/surgery/overview/frozen-section-pathology-lab

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1258/acb.2011.011128?url_ver=Z39.88-2003&rfr_id=ori%3Arid%3Acrossref.org&rfr_dat=cr_pub%3Dpubmed

https://doi.org/10.1258%2Facb.2011.011128

https://www.dermnetnz.org/topics/immunohistochemistry-stains/

residents. The duties of a PathA are not always limited to anatomic and surgical pathology; many PathAs fill administrative, instructional, and supervisory roles as well. They are a crucial extension of the pathologist in the health-care setting, working as a liaison to other departments and laboratories to ensure quality health-care. While most PathAs work in academic and community hospitals, PathAs can also be employed in other areas, including private pathology laboratories, forensic pathology laboratories and morgues, reference laboratories, government health-care systems, and medical teaching facilities. Some PAs are even self-employed business owners who provide their pathology expertise via long- and short-term contracts. PathAs contribute to the overall efficiency of the laboratory or pathology practice in a cost-effective manner. With increased pressure on health-care systems to control costs, the demand for qualified PathAs grows every year. The new PathA program will seek accreditation by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). Programs seeking initial accreditation must first comply with several requirements, including a letter of intent, a completed initial application, payment of an initial application fee, and approval of a preliminary report. The first step in evaluating a program is the program’s self-evaluation, carried out by the Program Director in cooperation with the program faculty and university administration. The first year of the program is a didactic (classroom/lecture) setting, and the second year consists of clinical/clerkship rotations in a hospital/laboratory with hands-on experience. The American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA) and the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) collaborated to offer national certification for pathologists’ assistants in 2004. To earn the ASCP PathA designation, an individual must graduate from a NAACLS-accredited pathologists’ assistant training program and subsequently pass the ASCP board of certification examination. The degree will be housed in the Department of Diagnostic and Health Sciences and will be located on the Memphis campus. The NAACLS-accredited PathA program will be one of only 11 of its kind in the U.S. and Canada. It will teach students to examine, process, and prepare tissue specimens for a variety of clinical tests and procedures. The skills acquired place students in high demand in hospitals, clinical laboratories, research, and medical teaching facilities. Our program emphasizes a strong foundation in the theory and application of anatomical, surgical, and autopsy pathology. The combination of knowledge and technical skill enables students to competently identify diseases, assist in post-mortem examinations, and compile accurate clinical histories.

State-of-the-art facilities, such as clinical skills lab, blend the classroom and laboratory dynamic for a collaborative and hands-on learning experience. The 12-month rotations place students in both community and university hospitals, giving the opportunity to apply skills in settings for both surgical and autopsy pathology and further define career goals.


Purpose and Nature of the Program

UTHSC is an academic health center dedicated to achieving excellence in medical and health professions education, research, and patient care. We value creating and fostering a diverse and cohesive faculty, professional staff, and student body as the surest way to achieve our mission. Adhering to the highest ethical standards, we will strive to improve the health of our community and to be recognized as a national center of intellectual and clinical strength in medicine and health professions. Our commitment to ensuring institutional effectiveness is demonstrated by the continuous assessment processes we use to improve program performance and student learning outcomes.

The PathA Program is committed to educate and train individuals to become academically qualified and highly competent Healthcare Professionals as Pathologists’ Assistants that provide surgical, autopsy, and forensic pathology professional services under the guidance of a board-certified pathologist. The program will prepare students to complete the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification examination for Pathologists’ Assistant. Upon completing this program, students will have acquired the necessary skills and demonstrated the professionalism required to fulfill the responsibilities of a PathA and shall be prepared to serve in hospitals, clinical laboratories, biorepositories, and medical teaching facilities.

The 24-month program leads to a Master of Health Sciences in Pathologists’ Assistant Degree. first year is focused on didactical coursework which encompass both lecture and laboratory formats. The second year is comprised of clinical rotation clerkships at affiliated local and regional hospitals, private pathology groups, and major academic centers with pathology residency programs, Medical Examiner’s Office, several online specialty courses, and a research-oriented capstone project.

Alignment with State Master Plan and Institutional Mission

The 2015-2025 State Master Plan4 holds higher education institutions accountable for increasing the educational attainment levels of Tennesseans, addressing the state’s economic development, workforce development, and research needs, and ensuring increased degree production within the state’s capacity to support higher education. Additionally, minimizing redundancy in degree offerings is another aspect of the State Master Plan. The proposed degree program directly aligns with the State Master Plan for Higher Education. Specifically, it aims to increase education attainment levels in Tennessee by creating a graduate degree program for immediate entry in health and interdisciplinary services, meeting economic, workforce, and research needs, and increasing degree production in the following ways:

• “Drive to 55” is the principal tool at Tennessee’s disposal for achieving the Governor’s bold goal — that, in contrast to Tennessee’s current postsecondary attainment rate of 38 percent, a decade from now 55 percent of the state’s working-age population (ages 25-64) will have earned a college degree or other high-value postsecondary credential.

4 https://www.tn.gov/thec/article/statewide-master-plan


https://www.tn.gov/thec/article/statewide-master-plan

• The program will increase the number of postsecondary degrees in Tennessee by adding an attractive graduate program in a high demand discipline.

• The program aligns with the postsecondary outputs and outcomes with the current and future workforce and economic development needs of the state.

• The program will enhance the percentage of Tennesseans with a college degree, given the lucrative job prospects and the urgent need for this degree.

• The program does not belong to the “overly supplied” academic programs.

The proposed program directly aligns with the 2015-2025 State Master Plan for Higher Education in the following two ways. First, the newly proposed program will increase the number of postsecondary degrees in Tennessee by adding an attractive graduate program in a high-demand discipline. Second, the proposed degree program aligns with the state’s new Public Agenda for higher education, which establishes the direct link between the state’s economic development and its educational system.

Per the “Academic Supply and Occupational Demand in Tennessee” report by the Tennessee Higher Education Commission, health professions top the most in-demand career paths. The newly proposed degree program will help the State of Tennessee to meet the deficit of individuals trained to work in these areas throughout Tennessee. The proposed program is consistent with the institutional mission of the university, which is to:

Improve the health and well-being of Tennesseans and the global community by fostering integrated, collaborative, and inclusive education, research, scientific discovery, clinical care, and public service.

As the preeminent Health Science Center in the state, the program embodies the spirit of excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and outreach and engagement. The mission of the COHP is to:

Provide the people of Tennessee with access to quality higher education, economic development, and enhanced quality-of-life opportunities.

This mission brings the benefits of the health sciences to the achievement and maintenance of human health, with a focus on the citizens of Tennessee and the region, by pursuing an integrated program of education, research, clinical care, and public services. The college educates competent health professionals to provide services that address the health care needs of the people of Tennessee. Our graduates supply a workforce that provides leadership in health-care, contribute to the knowledge bases of their respective health disciplines, and promotes lifelong learning through continuing education, the pursuit of knowledge, and research to address the health needs of our citizens. The program also aligns well with the college’s mission by focusing on an emerging area to which graduates will be able to contribute their acquired skills, and faculty will


be able to pursue new directions of scholarship. One goal for the program is to create social and physical environments that enhance the quality of life, resulting in a significant influence on population health outcomes. The mission of the PathA program is to:

Prepare and develop individuals for the professional practice of surgical and autopsy pathology in a continually evolving health care environment under the guidance of a board-certified pathologist.

The proposed program will accomplish this mission by utilizing rigorous academic preparation, research experience, and guided practice to enhance future careers in the field. The program vision is to achieve national recognition for producing graduates with critical thinking and problem-solving skills that will educate the community and future generations of health care providers of the art and science of practicing anatomic pathology. The program will prepare students to complete the American Society for Clinical Pathology Board of Certification (ASCP-BOC) examination for Pathologists’ Assistant successfully. Institutional Capacity for Program Delivery

The College of Health Professions is dedicated to educating students in the health professions. Today, it is one of the largest and most diversified health education institutions in the country, offering both graduate and undergraduate programs. The college is also committed to excellence in health education. Students in health professions must acquire knowledge and skills that were not necessary for success even in recent years, such as possessing an understanding of managed care and the business of efficient, cost-effective health care delivery. The college incorporates both discipline-specific and interdisciplinary education to prepare students to work in a rapidly changing and diverse health care system. Students benefit from access to patients and staff in a variety of training settings, ranging from prevention to chronic care. For example, the college has affiliations with community and rural health care facilities throughout the state, including acute and subacute care, psychiatric and medical rehabilitation, and long-term care.

There will be a need to develop new courses before beginning the proposed program, as well as to establish an organizational structure and corresponding resources (e.g., Program Director, administrative assistant) to oversee the program. The College and UTHSC are committed to investing the resources necessary to offer the proposed program.

Currently, the college offers degrees and certificates in laboratory sciences, including Medical Laboratory Science, Cytotechnology, and Histotechnology. A degree in PathA will complement the other programs in the field of laboratory science by sharing faculty, courses, educational resources, laboratory equipment, clinical placement, and integrated research opportunities. All COHP laboratory science programs have agreed to collaborate to achieve the successful implementation of the proposed program, once approved. We expect net gains in terms of enrollment due to the increased demands for this profession both locally and nationally.


Existing Programs in Tennessee and the Region

There are no academic programs in the state of Tennessee. The absence of this degree prevents Tennesseans from seeking an affordable, in-state option to complete their education. For Tennessee students to enroll in this field, they need to continue their education out of state. The closest programs available to students in the state appear in Table 1. There are only 2,000 certified Path-As in the world. Specialty options include an anatomic or clinical focus.

Table 1

Similar Programs in Tennessee and the Region

Institution Name

Program Title and Degree Designation

CIP Code

Description/ Focus of Program Miles from U.T. Campus

2014-2018Degrees Awarded

Rosalind Franklin University of Medicine and Science

Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant

51.0811 http://www.rosalindfranklin.edu/ 533 162

Duke University

Master's Degree of Pathologist Assistant

51.0811 https://pathology.duke.edu/education/pathologists-assistant-program

724 24

West Virginia University

Master’s of Health Science in Pathologist Assistant

51.0811 http://medicine.hsc.wvu.edu/pa 754 75






Drexel University

Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant (PathA)

51.0811 https://drexel.edu/medicine/academics/graduate-school/pathologists-assistant-patha/

1,011 73

Loma Linda University

Master’s of Health Science in Pathologist Assistant

51.0811 https://home.llu.edu/programs/pathologists-assistant-mhs 1,757 11

University of Maryland Baltimore

Master of Science in Pathologists' Assistant (PathA)

51.0811 https://www.medschool.umaryland.edu/pathology/Pathologists-Assistant-Program/

907 51


https://drexel.edu/medicine/academics/graduate-school/pathologists-assistant-patha/

https://drexel.edu/medicine/academics/graduate-school/pathologists-assistant-patha/




Feasibility Study

UTHSC, specifically the COHP, retained MGT Consulting to assist in gathering external data and stakeholder input regarding changes in the profession, the short- and long-range occupational outlook, and other information to inform the development of this new program in the state’s health professions academic catalog. The report (Appendix B) supplements the LON documentation.

Student Interest for the Proposed Academic Program

To gauge the general interest in the health professions, as well as assess specific interest in pursuing UTHSC programs from a broad geographic pool of individuals eligible to pursue a college degree, the consultants initiated a web-based national survey of approximately 500 adults who had completed, at a minimum, a high school degree.

In response to a general question, 45% of the national sample reported possible interest in pursuing a degree program leading to a career as a pathology assistant, including nearly 2 of 10 (17%) who were more definitive in their level of interest. Those who indicated general interest then reported their level of interest in such a master’s degree program if it were offered at UTHSC. Almost 50% of respondents were interested in this degree.

ARE YOU INTERESTED IN PURSUING AN ACADEMIC DEGREE LEADING TO A

CAREER IN PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT IN THE NEXT FIVE YEARS?

17%

28%55%

(n=490)

Yes

Maybe

No


LEVEL OF INTEREST IN MASTER’S IN PATHOLOGY ASSISTANT AT UTHSC

The student survey results confirm strong student interest in this program of study. These data are comparable with data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics that the projected job growth is expected to grow much faster than the average for all occupations.

Due to the nature of the UTHSC and the minimal number of students enrolled in undergraduate programs, we approached the University of Tennessee – Martin to survey a sample of their students. Fifty-eight (58) senior students majoring in Biological Sciences at the UT-Martin were invited to participate in a survey to evaluate their interest in the PathA proposed degree. Thirty-four (34) students completed the survey with a response rate of 59%. Almost all students surveyed (97%) expressed an interest in pursuing a career in health-care after completing their undergraduate degree.

8%

32%

12%

49% (n=219)

Very interested

Somewhat interested

Not at all

I'm only interested if the program is offeredexclusively online

Would you ever consider a career in the healthcare professions?


A significant number of students showed interest in the PathA degree. Thirteen students representing 42% of the sample surveyed expressed an interest in the degree, which is a fair number of students given the class size in the first two years of operation.

The vast majority (94%) of students responded favorably when asked if they would start in the next three years. More than half of the surveyed students expressed an interest in beginning within one academic year, 29% within two years, and 16% within three years.

How interested are you in pursuing the PathA degree in the next three years?

Interest in PathA degree


Local and Regional Need/Demand

As part of this program needs assessment, the consultants, in collaboration with the leadership of the UTHSC College of Health Professions, identified and contacted representatives of the Path-A profession for further input and advisement as the new program planning and approval process goes forward. Considerable efforts were made to speak with one or more Pathology Assistant programs considered top tier, as well as representatives of national and state professional organizations. Many health professionals choose to go back to school to get a degree to become a pathologists’ assistant. Common first careers include histotechnologists, clinical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, cytotechnologists, anatomic pathology technicians, autopsy technicians, and military medics or hospital corpsman. Degreed credentials for this niche career started in the early 1970s. As a result, the retirement cycle is just now underway and will continue to accelerate, creating significant replacement opportunities for new professionals. There are between 2,000 to 3,000 Pathology Assistants in the profession, but the emphasis has shifted over time to Path-As taking on more responsibility and daily activities in labs with oversight of a supervising M.D. Pathologist. Several key factors drive this demand; the rapidly expanding and aging population with more extensive medical issues, a growing adherence to a team approach to patient diagnosis and care (often driven by economic parameters), and finally, the expansion of pathology procedures and services into a variety of clinical settings beyond large medical center operations. Path-A programs produce upwards of 200 graduates per year. Because work settings and levels of responsibility have changed, including the emergence of a growing focus on forensics, the emphasis is moving toward graduate-level accredited programs to meet increased demand. There are no PathA programs in the state of Tennessee or the entire Southeast region, making the Academic Common Market a possibility for students from other states. Forecasts provided by the BLS data support the expansionary outlook for the state of Tennessee and the region. The BLS

When would you like to start your studies?


explains that with the rising workload for pathologists, there will be an increase in the demand for PathAs. Understanding regional demand requires knowledge of similar occupations in pathology and laboratory science. The BLS Occupational Handbook reports that related occupations are in high demand and offer significant earning potential.

This exciting health care specialty is rapidly becoming recognized across the nation and locally as preparing professionals who may have administrative, research, and educational capabilities, as well as being able to provide essential anatomic pathology laboratory services. All hospitals surveyed in the Memphis area and its surrounding expressed an interest and would support an academic program producing certified PathAs in the form of offering clinical training spots and employments opportunities for the graduates.

Regional demand for PathAs is higher than the national average. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, a 22% projected employment growth increase is expected in Tennessee between 2018 and 2026. Additionally, location quotients provide relevant employment information. The location quotient is the ratio of the area concentration of occupational employment to the national average concentration.

The other PathA programs have a 100% job placement rate at the time of graduation. Increased regional need indicates there is an increased demand for students who are qualified to meet that need. According to AAPA, the aggregate program data indicate that the trends in enrollment continue to increase from year to year. These trends are expected to continue to rise. Given the regional and national need, more qualified students must enter PathA programs to ensure access to quality care.

Employer Need/Demand

The career outlook for pathologists’ assistants is strong. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2018) classifies pathologists’ assistants within the physicians’ assistant category, and, as such, projects job growth for the entire field to be 31 percent from 2018 to 2028. This growth is much faster than the average predicted for all positions, which is just 7 percent for the same period. New program graduate salaries range from $75,000 to $90,000, with experienced pathologists’ assistants earning $100,000 or more annually. Factors that influence a PathA’s salary include experience, workload, setting, and regional cost of living. Sign-on, retention, and annual bonuses are commonplace. With a pathologists’ assistant degree, a graduate can find a job virtually anywhere in the United States. The prospects for finding employment are excellent for the foreseeable future.

UTHSC would be the first higher education institution in Tennessee to offer a degree in PathA. Regional and local practitioners in the Pathology field have expressed their enthusiastic support for the program as outlined in the attached support letters, which appear in Appendix C.


Table 2

OCCUPATIONAL GROWTH PROJECTIONS FOR PATH-A RELATED POSITIONS IN TN

Note: Average Annual Openings include both new and replacement positions, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor and Statistics.

Table 3

OCCUPATIONAL GROWTH PROJECTIONS FOR PATH-A RELATED POSITIONS IN SELECTED SOUTHEAST REGION*

Notes: *The selected region includes the following states: Alabama, Arkansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, and Tennessee. Table 4 OCCUPATIONAL GROWTH PROJECTIONS FOR PATH-A RELATED POSITIONS IN THE US.

Occupational Match 2016 2026Average of % change

Absolute Change

Average Annual

Openings

TN Growth vs. US

TN Growth vs. Region

Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians 7,280 8,650 18.80% 1,370 620 4.80% 7.38%Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists 4,470 5,280 18.10% 810 380 6.50% 7.98%Physician Assistants 1,570 2,230 42.00% 660 170 4.60% 7.88%


Absolute Change

Average Annual

Openings

Regional Growth vs.

USMedical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians 14,600 16,690 11.42% 2,090 1,160 -2.58%Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists 11,090 12,460 10.12% 1,370 840 -1.48%Physician Assistants 4,150 5,690 34.12% 1,540 420 -3.28%


Absolute Change

Average Annual

OpeningsMedical and Clinical Laboratory Technicians 164,200 187,200 14.00% 23,000 12,900 Medical and Clinical Laboratory Technologists 171,400 191,200 11.60% 19,800 12,900 Physician Assistants 106,200 145,900 37.40% 39,700 10,600


Future Sustainable Need

UTHSC would be the first higher education institution in Tennessee to offer a degree in PathA. As evidenced in the letters from employers of increased need, preference for the proposed degree, willingness to pay increased salaries for graduates from the proposed degree, and that the demand for graduates is sustainable (i.e., exceeds beyond the three years of the program). The job market for PathA is growing rapidly.

Pathologists’ assistants are employed in community hospitals, academic centers such as medical schools and university hospitals, private pathology laboratories, medical research centers, government hospitals, and medical examiner offices. The career outlook for pathologists’ assistants is stable. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS 2017) classifies pathologists’ assistants within the physicians’ assistant category, and, as such, projects job growth for the entire field at 37 percent between 2016 and 2026. This growth is much faster than the average predicted for all positions, which is just 7 percent for the same period.

Initially, employment opportunities for graduates of the program will be expanded job responsibilities within their current organizations until the full scope of a clinical pathologist assistant job is defined, and the job title becomes more widely used. The College of American Pathologists, the leading organization of board-certified pathologists, has a current initiative underway to define clinical pathology job competencies for the certified PathAs role. The proposed degree offers educational enhancement for current professionals that will enable them to perform advanced skill roles in the laboratory and serve on medical diagnostic teams.

Graduates of the proposed Program will have the skillset needed to assist the pathologist in his or her daily tasks, including conducting test work-ups, interpreting data, providing consulting on appropriate test utilization and result interpretation, and other advanced practice job tasks. Graduates will be well prepared for these job tasks and consulting roles—to physicians, physician assistants, nurses, and other advanced practice providers—and as a result, will directly contribute toward improving the quality of patient care from the critical aspect of laboratory testing.

Once students graduate from a NAACLS accredited program, they are eligible to take the ASCP certification examination. After successful completion of the examination, the designation P.A. (ASCP) is awarded, making the graduates eligible for licensure in the state of Tennessee.

A number of states have laws requiring the licensing of other clinical laboratory personnel such as medical laboratory scientists, medical laboratory technicians, histotechnologists, cytotechnologists, etc. Most of these laws were written and passed years, even decades ago, when pathologists’ assistants were not widely recognized as separate practitioners in the laboratory. Many of these state laws contain a generic clause stating that their personnel standards and licensing requirements apply to anyone performing any examination, measurement, evaluation or testing of any material derived from the human body for the purposes of the diagnosis, prognosis, prevention or treatment of disease. This broad catch-all definition technically would include the activities of a pathologists’ assistant. However, since pathologists’ assistants have recently become widely recognized, many of these older state laws do not provide a licensing category for


pathologists’ assistants, nor do these laws recognize the existence of pathologists’ assistants as laboratory practitioners.

Two aspects of the proposed program support the future sustainable need and demand for graduates of this program. One aspect is associated with the way medical laboratories within health-care facilities are operating. Health organizations would prefer to hire pathologist’s assistant due to budget constraints. The American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants’ website talks about the cost-effectiveness of PathAs in budget-conscious times: “With the increased pressures on health-care systems to control costs, pathologists’ assistants contribute to the overall efficiency of the laboratory or pathology practice in a cost-effective manner.”

A second aspect is connected to the innovative curriculum of the proposed program that focuses on interprofessional practice with other laboratory-related programs within the department; Medical Laboratory Science, Cytotechnology, and Histotechnology, as well as the college’s emphasis on interprofessional education with all health science programs.

Although the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) lacks information on this new profession, organizations such as the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) and the American Association of Pathologists’ Assistants (AAPA) provide continuing analysis of labor market trends. An annual wage survey is conducted through a collaboration between the American Society for Clinical Pathology’s Institute of Science, Technology, and Policy in Washington, DC, and the Evaluation, Measurement, and Assessment Department and Board of Certification in Chicago, IL. Data were collected via an internet survey distributed to individuals who were able to report on staffing and certifications for their laboratories.5

Program Costs and Revenues

Program costs will be met with institutional and tuition fees based on initial student annual enrollment of five students per cohort. Annual enrollment will gradually increase to reach ten students per cohort (Table 1). The space requirements for the PathA program would include classrooms to hold the anticipated student enrollment. Renovation costs for creating specialized teaching and laboratory spaces will be supported through UTHSC budget resources. A teaching laboratory (750 sq. feet) would be needed for students to practice the anatomical pathology competencies. Laboratory learning requires students to practice with specialized equipment that necessitates smaller groups of students. This renovated space is expected to be adjacent to the existing teaching facilities. The equipment needed for student instruction includes the usual items for health professions students (disposables, hospital gurneys/beds, patient manikins, audio-visual equipment, etc.), but major items specific to pathology would be required. An estimated cost of $75,000 is needed to purchase the necessary equipment in the laboratory.

5 (Edna Garcia, MPH, Iman Kundu, MPH, Melissa Kelly, PhD, Ryan Soles, MS, The American Society for Clinical Pathology's 2018 Vacancy Survey of Medical Laboratories in the United States, American Journal of Clinical Pathology, Volume 152, Issue 2, August 2019, Pages 155–168, https://doi.org/10.1093/ajcp/aqz046)


Expenses will begin in Year 0 with the addition of a program director. Tuition and revenue will start in year one, pending the receipt of accreditation and enrollment of students. Institutional allocation will be necessary for the first three years and will come from the college. There will be no federal grants, private grants, nor gifted funds for the establishment of this program. Enrollment is based on an initial cohort of 5 full-time students. The projected number of graduates is 4, which assumes a 95% retention rate (5% attrition rate) from the first year of the program to the fifth year. Table 5 Projected Enrollment, Attrition, and Graduates of PathA, Years 1-5

Year Students Admitted to in Fall Total Enrollment Attrition Graduates

Year 0 0 0 0 0

1st Year 5 5 1 0

2nd Year 6 10 1 4

3rd Year 8 13 1 5

4th Year 10 18 1 7

5th Year 10 19 1 9

Operating Expenses

The budget includes the salary for the Program Director who will oversee the program. The Program Director will start in Year 0. The director will direct and supervise all aspects of the new program, including advertising, accreditation efforts, recruitment, application, admission, and student advising processes. He or she will also work closely with other departments, programs, and faculty to schedule courses, update curricula, advise and mentor students, and further develop the program as needed. An additional faculty starting in Year 1 will be hired with an annual salary of $80,000 at a 3% increase.

An initial one-time investment in Year 0 for equipment and outfitting of the teaching laboratories, renovating space for teaching and research laboratories for the PathA program. The budget includes operating funds for travel, recruiting events, and accreditation costs, advertising, and software and computing. The program will remain budget neutral with the anticipated cohort of students enrolled each year.


Revenues

Revenue projections include tuition and fees, potential research and grant activity, expected gifts, and any other expected revenues. The final program costs and revenues sheet is located at the end of the document.


Appendices

Appendix A: THEC Financial Projection Form


Five-year projections are required for baccalaureate and Master's degree programs

Planning year projections are not required but should be included when appropriate.

Planning Year Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7I. Expenditures

A. One-time ExpendituresNew/Renovated Space1 -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Equipment 78,400 - - - - - - - Library - - - - - - - Consultants 10,000 - - - - - - - Travel 6,000 - - - - - - - Other - - - - - - - - Sub-Total One-time 94,400$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$

B. Recurring ExpendituresPersonnelAdministrationSalary 120,000$ 120,000$ 123,600$ 127,308$ 131,127$ 135,061$ -$ -$ Benefits 36,000 36,000 37,080 38,192 39,338 40,518 - - Sub-Total Administration 156,000.00$ 156,000.00$ 160,680.00$ 165,500.00$ 170,465.00$ 175,579.00$ -$ -$

FacultySalary -$ 85,000$ 87,550$ 90,177$ 92,882$ 95,668$ -$ -$ Benefits - 25,500 26,265 27,053 27,865 28,700 - - Sub-Total Faculty -$ 110,500$ 113,815$ 117,230$ 120,747$ 124,368$ -$ -$

Support StaffSalary -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Benefits - - - - - - - - Sub-Total Support Staff -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$

Graduate AssistantsSalary -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Benefits - - - - - - - - Tuition and Fees* (See Below) - - - - - - - - Sub-Total Graduate Assistants -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$

OperatingTravel 4,000$ 4,000$ 4,000$ 4,000$ 400$ 4,000$ -$ -$ Printing 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 1,000 - - Equipment - - 5,000 2,000 - - - - Other - - - - - - - - Sub-Total Operating 5,000$ 5,000$ 10,000$ 7,000$ 1,400$ 5,000$ -$ -$

Total Recurring 161,000$ 271,500$ 284,495$ 289,730$ 292,612$ 304,947$ -$ -$

TOTAL EXPENDITURES (A + B) 255,400$ 271,500$ 284,495$ 289,730$ 292,612$ 304,947$ -$ -$

Base Tuition and Fees Rate -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ -$ Number of Graduate Assistants - - - - - - -

Tennessee Higher Education CommissionAppendix A: THEC Financial Projections

University of Tennessee Health Science CenterMaster of Health Science in Pathology Assistant

*If tuition and fees for Graduate Assistants are included, please provide the following information.

Three-year projections are required for associate degrees and undergraduate certificates. Projections should include cost of living increases per year.

Seven-year projections are required for doctoral programs.


Planning Year Year 1 Year 2 Year 3 Year 4 Year 5 Year 6 Year 7II. RevenueTuition and Fees2 - 76,800 158,200 211,835 302,094 328,434 - - Institutional Reallocations3 255,400 - 126,295 77,895 (9,482) (23,487) - - Federal Grants4 - - - - - - - - Private Grants or Gifts5 - - - - - - - - Other6 - - - - - - - -

BALANCED BUDGET LINE 255,400$ 76,800$ 284,495$ 289,730$ 292,612$ 304,947$ -$ -$

Notes:

(6) Provide information regarding other sources of the funding.

(1) Provide the funding source(s) for the new or renovated space.

(2) In what year is tuition and fee revenue expected to be generated? Tuition and fees include maintenance fees, out-of-state tuition, and any applicable earmarked feesfor the program. Explain any differential fees.

(3) Identify the source(s) of the institutional reallocations, and grant matching requirements if applicable.

(4) Provide the source(s) of the Federal Grant including the granting department and CFDA(Catalog of Federal Domestic Assistance) number.

(5) Provide the name of the organization(s) or individual(s) providing grant(s) or gift(s).


Appendix B: Consultant Report and Feasibility Study Data


Appendix C: Letters of Support


Approval Process, - TN

Documents

Transcript of Approval Process, - TN