Course Requirements (36 hours)

A minimum of thirty (36) graduate hours is required for this degree (30 hrs of coursework in addition to thesis, or 36 hrs for the non-thesis option). All hours must be at the 600 level or higher. Students who do not hold certification at admission must complete a practicum of forty-six (46) hours. Students must meet the general requirements set forth by the Graduate School of The University of Southern Mississippi. A 3.0 GPA is required to graduate.

In addition to the courses listed, other options are available with advisor’s approval.

Required MLS courses:

Select 1 course:

Other MLS courses

Elective courses

Admission Requirements

The Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Science degree programs seeks to provide the student with skills and knowledge for professional enhancement. Graduates of the programs may be candidates for positions as laboratory managers, education coordinators, hospital or college/university medical laboratory science faculty members, researchers, school directors, etc.

The School of Biological, Environmental, and Earth Sciences offers two programs leading to the master’s degree in medical laboratory science. One program is for the individual who possesses certification as a medical laboratory scientist from a recognized national (American) certifying agency. This certification is an entrance requirement. The program for a certified medical laboratory scientist may be completed totally online.

Admission Requirements

For both programs, in addition to meeting the general requirements of the Graduate School and university as stated in this Bulletin, the applicant must submit official scores from the GRE (all sections) and three letters of recommendation. Letters of recommendation should be from persons qualified to assess the applicant’s readiness for graduate study and should be sent to the Graduate School.  Applicants must also submit a resume, and a statement of purpose along with the application.

Students admitted will receive either regular or conditional admission, as described earlier in this Bulletin. Students admitted on conditional basis must make a grade point average of at least 3.0 the first semester on specific courses designated by the school faculty (specifically on the first nine (9) hours of coursework numbered 500 or above or on all coursework taken while completing this nine (9)-hour requirement). Regardless of previous college experience, if English is not the native language of any student, evidence of English proficiency must be provided prior to admission into the graduate program. The following agencies and scores meet the school’s requirement: computer-based TOEFL, 213; internet-based TOEFL, 79; IELTS, 6.0.

To receive maximum consideration, graduate applications for the fall semester should be received by the school by April 15, and applications for the spring semester should be received by November 1.

See Academic Requirements and Procedures for other requirements.

Program Requirements and Academic Policies

A minimum of thirty-six (36) semester hours of coursework is required for the non-thesis option. In addition, individuals who do not hold certification at admission must complete a practicum of forty-six (46) hours at the graduate level. If a student has a felony conviction, the student may not be able to complete this degree because the student may not be able to perform the clinical experience. A minimum of eighteen (18) semester hours must be in courses numbered 600 or above. All coursework will be designated and approved by the student’s graduate committee during the first semester of the program and must include 18 hours of graduate coursework with a MLS prefix. Students are required to take both written and oral comprehensive final exams.  The student’s graduate committee is composed of a chair and two to three members of the graduate faculty.  A student in the graduate curriculum requiring the practicum is allowed a maximum of 9 hours of grades at the C level. The student in the graduate curriculum who does not require the practicum may only have 6 hours of grades at the C level. If a student exceeds these maximum levels, the student may not continue in the graduate program. A student who earns a D or F may not continue in the graduate program. Upon completion of coursework, all students must pass oral and written comprehensive examinations. Additionally, a student selecting the thesis option must successfully present an oral defense of the master’s thesis. Students must have at least a 3.0 GPA to graduate.

Non-major Master’s students must obtain permission from the instructor to register for MLS 502, MLS 502L, MLS 504, MLS 504L, MLS 506, MLS 506L, MLS 515. Registration for practicum-level courses is limited as described in this Bulletin.

Continuous Enrollment Requirement: Students must meet the requirement specified in the front section of this Bulletin.

See General Degree Requirements and General Academic Information for other requirements and procedures.

The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools of Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). Additionally, the Online Medical Laboratory Science Masters program is also accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS). That means you can expect a program with the highest standards and quality.