Program Overview

Introduction to the Medical Laboratory Science Master's Program

The Medical Laboratory Science MS program at the University of Southern Mississippi is designed to prepare medical laboratory scientists to become healthcare investigators who use laboratory analyses to assist healthcare providers in the prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of diseases and disorders. This program is tailored for individuals with a Medical Laboratory BS who hold ASCP certification.

Program Overview

The online program requires a minimum of 36 graduate hours, with all hours being at the 600 level or higher. Students who do not hold certification at admission must complete a practicum of 46 hours. The program can be completed in 1-3 years, depending on the number of hours enrolled.

Admission Requirements

To be admitted into the program, applicants must meet the general requirements of the Graduate School and the university. These requirements include:

• Submitting official scores from the GRE (all sections)
• Providing three letters of recommendation from persons qualified to assess the applicant's readiness for graduate study
• Submitting a resume and a statement of purpose along with the application
• Holding certification as a medical laboratory scientist from a recognized national (American) certifying agency (for certified medical laboratory scientists)

Program Requirements

The program requires a minimum of 36 semester hours of coursework for the non-thesis option. This includes:

• 18 hours of graduate coursework with a MLS prefix
• Completion of a practicum of 46 hours for individuals without certification at admission
• Passing written and oral comprehensive final exams
• Maintaining a minimum GPA of 3.0 to graduate

Course Requirements

Required MLS courses include:

• Concepts for Medical Laboratory Science (for non-certified students only), 3 hours
• Professional Development for Med Lab Scientists, 3 hours
• Select one course from:
  • Clinical Laboratory Program Development, 3 hours
  • Clinical Laboratory Management, 3 hours Other MLS courses available:
  • Comparative Diagnosis of Microbial Pathogens, 3 hours
  • Clinical Oncology, 3 hours
  • Clinical Endocrinology, 3 hours
  • Clinical Toxicology, 3 hours
  • Current Topics in Clinical Microbiology, 3 hours
  • Medical Laboratory Science Seminar, 1 hour
  • Special Problems in Medical Laboratory Science, 8 hours

Elective Courses

Available elective courses include:

• Management Foundations, 3 hours
• Accounting Foundations, 3 hours
• Marketing Foundations, 3 hours
• Finance Foundations, 3 hours
• Epidemiology, 3 hours
• Environmental Health, 3 hours
• Infectious Disease Epidemiology, 3 hours
• Instructional Design and Development, 3 hours
• Technology in Education, 3 hours
• Digital Communications in Education, 3 hours
• Instructional Strategies of Online Teaching, 3 hours
• Educational Research: Interpretation and Applications, 3 hours
• Introduction to Educational Statistics, 3 hours

Tuition and Fees

The cost per credit hour is $578.12. The total tuition for the program can be estimated based on the number of credit hours required. Additional course fees may apply, ranging from $20 to $60.

Accreditation

The University of Southern Mississippi is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC). The Online Medical Laboratory Science Master's program is also accredited by the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Sciences (NAACLS), ensuring the highest standards and quality.

Career Opportunities

A Master's in Medical Laboratory Science provides advanced knowledge and skills to excel in laboratory settings, contribute to healthcare research, and play a crucial role in disease diagnosis and treatment. Graduates can pursue various career paths in healthcare, research, and education.