Dermatopathology programs can prepare students to work in laboratory settings to thoroughly assess layers of the skin, including the fascia, dermis, and epidermis, to effectively diagnose common and chronic skin conditions. Such programs are often necessary for graduates to be able to practice.

Master-level studies involve specialized study in a field of research or an area of professional practice. Earning a master’s degree demonstrates a higher mastery of the subject. Earning a master’s degree can take anywhere from a year to three or four years. Before you can graduate, you usually must write and defend a thesis, a long paper that is the culmination of your specialized research.