Qualifications
Formal qualifications necessary to become a specialist pathologist in South Africa:
- Grade 12 certificate with specific minimum percentages in specific subjects as prescribed by universities offering medical degrees.
- A 6-year Bachelor's degree in Medicine and Surgery. (MBChB)
- A 2-year clinical internship.
- 1 year of compulsory community service.
- Registrar programme at hospital (4 – 5 years)
- HPCSA registration as a specialist pathologist
Specialist training is done
after completing internship and community service.
Note: The BHSc(Hons) in Forensic Science does not train students to become forensic pathologists. The only way to become a forensic pathologist is to qualify as a medical doctor and then specialize in forensic pathology.