Medical Laboratory Science MS
Earn your Medical Laboratory Science Master's degree online from Southern Miss!
Program-at-a-Glance (Graduate)
Completion Time:
1-3 years *pending hours enrolled
University Accreditation:
Special Requirements:
1. Statement of Purpose 2. CV/Resume
Learn more about this program:
The Medical Laboratory Science MS at Southern Miss prepares medical laboratory scientists (MLS) to become healthcare investigators who use laboratory analyses to assist healthcare providers in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disorders. The online program is for individuals with a Medical Laboratory BS who hold ASCP certification. Our online Medical Laboratory Science Master’s degree allows you to earn your degree while staying in your current job and never having to step foot on campus!
Are you looking for more healthcare-related degrees? Check out our other fully-online options! Want more info about this degree? Our enrollment coaches are here to help. Click here for more info! This is your life, plus college!
Scholarship opportunities are available for online students! Our Online Student Scholarship gives first-time, fully online students an opportunity for $500 towards their first semester. To get started with our Online Student Scholarship or to view our list of available scholarships for which you may qualify, visit our Student Scholarship page now!
What can you do with a Master’s in Medical Laboratory Science?
A Medical Laboratory Science MS provides you with advanced knowledge and skills to excel in laboratory settings, contribute to healthcare research, and play a crucial role in disease diagnosis and treatment.
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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:
Course | Credits |
---|---|
Concepts for Medical Laboratory Science (for non-certified students only)
|
3 hrs. |
Professional Development for Med Lab Scientists
|
3 hrs. |
Select 1 course:
Course | Credits |
---|---|
Clinical Laboratory Program Development
|
3 hrs. |
Clinical Laboratory Management
|
3 hrs. |
Other MLS courses
Course | Credits |
---|---|
Comparative Diagnosis of Microbial Pathogens
|
3 hrs. |
Clinical Oncology
|
3 hrs. |
Clinical Endocrinology
|
3 hrs. |
Clinical Toxicology
|
3 hrs. |
Current Topics in Clinical Microbiology
|
3 hrs. |
Medical Laboratory Science Seminar
|
1 hrs. |
Special Problems in Medical Laboratory Science
|
8 hrs. |
Elective courses
Course | Credits |
---|---|
Management Foundations
|
3 hrs. |
Accounting Foundations
|
3 hrs. |
Marketing Foundations
|
3 hrs. |
Finance Foundations
|
3 hrs. |
Epidemiology
|
3 hrs. |
Enviromental Health
|
3 hrs. |
Infectious Disease Epidemiology
|
3 hrs. |
Instructional Design and Develoment
|
3 hrs. |
Technology in Education
|
3 hrs. |
Digital Communications in Education
|
3 hrs. |
Instructional Strategies of Online Teaching
|
3 hrs. |
Educational Research: Interpretation and Applications
|
3 hrs. |
Introduction to Educational Statistics
|
3 hrs. |
Additional Note
Please note that the above information is meant to be a guide and is not official. For further information regarding courses for this degree, see the University Bulletin. Please be aware that not all course choices listed in the University Bulletin are available online. However, sufficient online options are available to complete this degree.
Frequently Asked Questions
Licensure requirements and approval are determined by each state’s licensing board. For additional information about professional licensure, please review the Professional Licensure Disclosures web page.
Additional course fees may apply to the Online Medical Laboratory Science Masters. Fees range between $20 – $60.
The prospective student must complete the Graduate School admission application online and pay the application fee at http://apps.usm.edu/graduate-school/grad-school-apps/. Official transcripts and GRE scores must be submitted to the Graduate School. Also, submit 3 letters of recommendation and documentation of National Medical Technologist Certification to the Chair of Medical Laboratory Sciences.
The graduate school must receive all admission items before the application is forwarded to the department for review.
Acceptance into the Online Medical Laboratory Science Masters program is based on a combination of GRE scores, undergraduate GPA, recommendations, and faculty/dean/graduate dean evaluations.
Yes, with approval. A student may take up to 9 hours as a non-degree seeking student.
The student is contacted via email to establish a 36 hour degree plan for the committee and determine courses for the first semester.
The online Medical Laboratory Science Masters student has 5 years to complete the 36 hours (18 hours must be at 600 level or higher). The student must be continuously registered Fall and Spring or reapply. Students may take 6 hours elsewhere with their committee’s approval.
At this time, students pay in-state tuition for online courses.
At the end of all coursework, the online Medical Laboratory Science Masters students must complete a written and oral comprehensive exam. The graduate student is given 6 questions, 2 from each of the three graduate committee members. The student has 30 days to prepare answers to the 6 questions in APA research paper format with references. The committee members evaluate the answers and if the answers are successfully written, the oral defense is scheduled and conducted using distance communication modes.
No. The online Medical Laboratory Science Masters student does not have to come to campus.
To find pricing information, visit our pricing page. For financial aid information, view our financial aid page. For detailed tuition information, visit our business services page. To view all the funding resources available to graduate students, please visit the Graduate Admissions Funding Resources page.
The University of Southern Mississippi provides a Senior Citizen Tuition Scholarship Program for Mississippi residents age 62 or older. Legal residents of the State of Mississippi age 62 or older may enroll tuition-free in a maximum of six (6) semester hours for the fall or spring term. Courses on all campuses (Online, Hattiesburg, and Gulf Coast) are available to senior citizens on a space available, first come first serve basis. This scholarship program applies to fall and spring courses only.
To inquire about the availability of this scholarship, contact Precia Pedersen at precia.pedersen@usm.edu or the registrar’s office.
Please visit our programs page here: https://online.usm.edu/programs/
Other classes that aren’t listed may count towards your online Medical Laboratory Science Masters degree once your transcript has been evaluated and posted.
If yes, visit online.usm.edu/military for more information on how Southern Miss can serve you and your needs. We will help you with funding and scholarship information, admissions, and course enrollment.
If you still have questions, please visit our FAQ page, or take a moment to fill out our form at the bottom of the screen, and we will reach out to you!
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.
QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE?
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QUESTIONS ABOUT THIS DEGREE?
Talk to one of our enrollment coaches today for more information.
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