Program Overview

Master of Medical Laboratory Science

The Master of Medical Laboratory Science is a postgraduate program designed to equip medical laboratory scientists with advanced skills in a chosen field of medical laboratory science. The program aims to develop specialist skills, demonstrate analytical and problem-solving skills, and apply contemporary theory to current practice.

Program Overview

The program is open to all medical laboratory scientists with New Zealand registration and a practicing certificate. It offers two pathways: a management pathway and a specialist scientist pathway. The program consists of 240 points, including 120 points from advanced-level courses and a thesis of 120 points.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the program, applicants must:

• Have completed the Bachelor of Medical Laboratory Science with a B grade average or higher in courses at level 7, or equivalent
• Be registered as a Medical Laboratory Scientist with the Medical Sciences Council of New Zealand (MSCNZ)
• Hold a current Practising Certificate as a Medical Laboratory Scientist, issued by the MSCNZ
• Meet the English language requirements: IELTS (Academic) 6.5 overall with all bands 6.0 or higher, or equivalent

Program Structure

The program requires the completion of 240 points, including:

• 120 points from advanced-level courses
• A thesis of 120 points

Courses

Students must complete the following courses:

• MELS802 Quality Assurance in Laboratory Services (30 points)
• SCIE802 Scientific Research, Application and Communication (30 points)

Specialist Scientist Pathway

Students who choose the specialist scientist pathway must complete:

• PHIL880 Ethics of Biotechnology (30 points)
• One of the following courses:
  • SCIE803 Specialist Readings in Applied Science (30 points)
  • SCIE804 Selected Topics in Applied Science (30 points)
  • GENE802 Contemporary Molecular Genetics (30 points)

Management Pathway

Students who choose the management pathway must complete:

• One of the following courses:
  • MELS801 Biomedical Ethics (15 points)
  • HEAL825 Applied Healthcare Ethics (15 points)
• Three of the following courses:
  • HEAL837 Health Policy Applied (15 points)
  • HEAL816 Special Topics (15 points)
  • HLAW801 Health Law (15 points)
  • HEAL817 Leadership and Management I (15 points)
  • HEAL818 Leadership and Management II (15 points)

Thesis

Students must complete a thesis of 120 points, which involves a sustained piece of research in a specialized area of medical laboratory science.

Career Opportunities

Graduates of the Master of Medical Laboratory Science program may pursue careers as:

• Postdoctoral fellow
• Researcher
• Lecturer in universities
• Industrial research leader

Fees

The fees for the program are:

• Domestic: $11,851.60 (for 120 points), which includes $10,630 tuition fees and $1,221.60 student services levy
• International: $48,021.60 (for 120 points), which includes $46,800 tuition fees and $1,221.60 student services levy

Duration and Campus

The program is available on a full-time or part-time basis and is offered at the City Campus. The duration of the program is two years full-time or longer for part-time students.