MS Medical Laboratory Science
Why a Master's Degree in Medical Laboratory Science?
The MS in Medical Laboratory Science (MS in MLS) allows students to gain defined “bench-focused” technical competency, in addition to training in regulatory and fiscal affairs that impact laboratory management.
Through this degree, students will gain specialized, in-depth professional hands-on skills and leadership competencies preparing them to succeed within the increasingly clinical laboratory sciences sector.
Completion of this program, accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), will prepare students to perform clinical laboratory testing and to complete the national certification examination in Medical Laboratory Science, MLS(ASCP).
Benefits of the program include:
- Gaining well-rounded and marketable technical skills geared for future employment
- Exposure to regulatory, fiscal, and management aspects of laboratory practice
- Rapid and fixed time frame of degree completion (18 months)
- Internships integrated into the curriculum
- Preparation to sit for the medical laboratory scientist board of certification exam offered through the American Society for Clinical Pathology, ASCP/BOC
The MS in MLS is a 63-credit graduate program that combines online, hybrid, and face-to-face instruction. Internships are integrated into the curriculum. Courses are taught by experts in the field, and clinical practica are completed at major medical centers and community hospitals.
Students complete a research project in an area of interest of their choice. Students will formulate a question they want to answer and then design a study and conduct the necessary research to answer the question. At the end of the study, students will prepare a research paper and present their findings. Read abstracts of recent graduate student research projects.
Admission Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university
- Application is competitive and a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 is required
- Current résumé, personal statement, and two letters of recommendation
- If English is not the first language, the University requires a paper-based TOEFL score of at least 550, or at least 79 on the Internet-based TOEFL, within the last two years
- GRE is not required
Applicants must have completed the following science and math prerequisite course work: 16 credits of Biological Sciences including one semester of Microbiology and a course in Immunology; 12 credits of Chemistry including one semester of Organic Chemistry; and 3 credits of college level math or statistics.
The MS in Medical Laboratory Science program is not intended for those who are already certified medical technologists or who have completed a bachelor’s degree in MLS.
The application deadline is January 15 for U.S. applicants, November 15 for international applicants. Classes begin Spring Semester.
The program is designed to be completed in 18 months beginning in spring, although students can personalize their degree plan to meet their needs.
Spring 1
- MMSC607/617 Clinical Physiological Chemistry I with Lab (4 credits)
- MMSC609/619 Immunohematology I with Lab (3 credits)
- MMSC623/624 Hematology I with Lab (3 credits)
- MMSC628/629 Medical Microbiology with Lab (5 credits)
Summer 1
- MMSC603 Research Design (3 credits)
- MMSC691 Human Molecular Genetics (3 credits)
- MMSC602 Body Fluid Analysis (2 credits)
Fall 1
- MMSC612 Body Fluid Analysis Lab (1 credit)
- MMSC620/621 Immunohematology II with Lab (3 credits)
- MMSC633/634 Hematology II with Lab (4 credits)
- MMSC636 Clinical Physiological Chemistry II (3 credits)
- MMSC637 Clinical Laboratory Instrumentation (2 credits)
- MMSC638/639 Diagnostic Bacteriology & Medical Mycology with Lab (5 credits)
Spring 2
- MMSC605 Regulatory & Fiscal Issues in Laboratory Management (3 credits)
- MMSC627 Flow Cytometry (2 credits)
- MMSC693 Cellular & Molecular Diagnostic Techniques (2 credits)
- MMSC815 Contemporary Research Topics I (3 credits)
Summer 2
- MMSC673 Advanced Clinical Chemistry/Body Fluid Analysis Practicum (3 credits)
- MMSC675 Advanced Clinical Hematology Practicum (3 credits)
- MMSC677 Advanced Clinical Microbiology Practicum (3 credits)
- MMSC679 Advanced Clinical Immunohematology Practicum (3 credits)
The 2023-2024 UD graduate student tuition rate per credit hour is $1,028.
Due to a College of Health Sciences Dean’s Scholarship, the student tuition rate is lower than the published UD graduate tuition rate. The final student tuition rate for the Medical Laboratory Sciences program is $815/credit.
Tuition remission, assistantships, and/or stipends are not available in this program. Students can apply for financial aid as applicable.
The application deadline is January 15 for U.S. applicants, November 15 for international applicants.
Classes begin Spring Semester
Virtual Open House Sessions:
Thursday, November 2, at 5:00 p.m.