Clinical Laboratory Science

Program Overview

The Masters of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Science emphasizes the multidisciplinary nature of the laboratory sciences, encourages research that crosses traditional laboratory disciplines, and promotes innovative thinking.

The curriculum is customized to the student's interests and to supporting the students research project. Students conduct research projects with resident and adjunct faculty. MSU Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics (BLD) graduate students choose our program for its clinically relevant courses in diagnostic theory and application, low student to faculty ratio, and program flexibility. This program can be completed fully through Michigan State University online. For students interested in updating their technical skills, there is also the option to take advanced level lab course(s.) BLD Masters program students come from various disciplines, including the medical laboratory, industry, academic research labs and other health related backgrounds.

Program Outcomes

The BLD Graduate Program faculty help students create the curriculum and research plans that fit their education and career goals. This can include coursework in topics such as molecular diagnostics, immunodiagnostics, advanced flow cytometry, mass spectrometry, biomedical laboratory operations, transfusion medicine/hemostasis, cell biology, statistics, information technology, scientific writing and research in the sciences.

The student will also complete a research project in an area of interest under the guidance of expert BLD faculty and local mentors. Through the project, the student investigates an area of interest, collects data and refines their scientific writing and presentation skills. For some students, this can lead to professional publications and/or presentations. Students can also use the coursework from this program to prepare for national credentialing exams in specific content areas such as molecular biology, flow cytometry, etc.

Please note that our courses do not directly provide eligibility for national credentialing exams. For details on credentialing, please see: https://www.ascp.org/content/board-of-certification/get-credentialed or contact the BLD program to see if our program advisors can provide any course plans that would align with your credentialing goals. Unfortunately, our masters program does not provide a path to certification through the ASCP B.O.C.

Career Outlook

This program provides the foundation for career advancement in the biomedical sciences through laboratory leadership, hospital specialist roles, life sciences research, PhD programs, and medical laboratory science education faculty/program director roles. The BLD faculty mentor students in professional development and networking, and this mentorship also creates career advancement opportunities.

Course Information

Core

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this program, you must have:

• A bachelor's degree in science from an accredited college or university
• Previous work experience - Résumé
• Taken the GRE or have certification as a medical laboratory professional through ASCP
• Taken the TOEFL (Only required if English is not your native language)
• A written personal statement or letter of intent 
• 3 letters of recommendation
Please provide contact information for your recommenders through the MSU application system.
• Official transcripts from all previous schools

To apply to this program:

• Complete a university graduate application.
• Official transcripts sent to mailing address is: Michigan State University Hannah Administration Building 426 Auditorium Road, Room 250 East Lansing, Michigan 48824-2604 
• Official general GRE (Graduate Record Exam) scores. GRE scores can be up to 5 years old. The MSU GRE code is 1465. The BLD Department Code is 0601.
• For applicants in which English is not their first language, an English Language Proficiency test must be taken. Test takers should use the Michigan State University code 1465.