Graduate Program

Degree Offered

Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences (M.S.)

Program Requirements

Admission and Student Information

Formal admission to the University is an initial requirement for admission to the Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree program. Acceptance into the program is based on the recommendations of the Admissions Committee and Clinical Laboratory Sciences Director.

Up to five students are admitted each year into the Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences program. A good academic record is essential, but it does not guarantee acceptance. Screening of applications for Fall admission begins on June 15th each year. All application materials and letter of intent must be received by June 15th in order to be considered for Fall admission. Students are admitted once a year, with classes beginning in the Fall semester. Students must have an acceptable baccalaureate degree and have at least a 3.0 on the last 50 credit hours or total of their bachelor degree program. Six basic areas are considered in the selection process:

Earned baccalaureate degree (B.S. in Medical Laboratory Sciences preferred)
ASCP (U.S.) Certified Medical Laboratory Scientist/Clinical Laboratory Scientist
The student’s academic record
Three letters of Reference
Life Experiences
Personal Interview

UNM Graduate Program applications are available on the Graduate Studies Web site.

Deadline: All application materials are due no later than June 15th. Admission is for the Fall semester of the same year of application. Those applicants who are provisionally selected are notified in early July. All applicants are notified of their admission status. Selection is given to qualified persons regardless of their race, color, religion, national origin, age, qualified disability or military involvement. Equal opportunity for admission is given to all qualified applicants.

Advisement and Interview sessions are scheduled through the program of Medical Laboratory Sciences. Call the office at (505) 272-5434 for an appointment.

Graduation Requirements:

Satisfactory completion of all graduate courses.
Students who have completed graduate-level course work (at a B level or higher) at an accredited institution other than UNM may apply for the credit(s) to be transferred.
Students must maintain a 3.00 GPA or higher.
Students must complete the Master’s Apprenticeship Requirement in an approved laboratory.
All work toward a Master’s degree, including transferred course work must be completed within a seven-year period.
Students must inform their graduate unit in writing of their intention to graduate at the end of a particular semester by submitting a “Notification of Intent to Graduate” letter.
Unanimous recommendation for graduation by the full-time faculty of the Medical Laboratory Sciences Graduate program, the Department of Pathology and the School of Medicine.

Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences

Program Curriculum

The Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences degree program follows a required six-semester graduate level curriculum, which begins each year during the fall semester. Resources limit each class size to no more than five students. In addition to tuition, housing, books and other usual school expenses, student fees of $500.00 per semester cover lab supplies and special course fees. Fees are subject to change on a yearly basis. Students are responsible for transportation fees to and from externships at off campus sites. The CLS master’s degree program is a professional degree that does not require a written thesis, but instead a one-year apprenticeship program with a mentoring laboratory, clinical or education site; provided mainly through the research/clinical/education faculty of the Department of Pathology at the University of New Mexico.

		Credit Hours
	Prerequisites
BIOC *423	Introductory Biochemistry (if taken three or more years prior to application to CLS program)	3
CHEM *301 -and-* CHEM **302	Organic Chemistry	6
CHEM 303L -and- CHEM 304L	Organic Chemistry Laboratory	2
MATH 150	Pre-Calculus Mathematics	3
MATH 162	Calculus I	4
	Core Requirements
BIOM 507	Advanced Molecular Biology	4
BIOM 508	Advanced Cell Biology	4
BIOM 555	Problem-Based Research Bioethics	1
BIOC 545	Intensive Introductory Biochemistry I	4
MEDL 500	Selected Topics in Laboratory Medicine	2
MEDL 550	Laboratory Management Seminar	2
PH 538	Public Health Biostatistical Methods I	3
**Electives		6
	Masters Degree Non-thesis Plan
MEDL 600	Clinical Lab Sciences Masters Degree Apprenticeship Program	10
	Total	36
	**Elective Courses:
	Techniques:
BIOM 522	Experimental Design and Methods in Molecular and Cellular Biosciences	3
BIOL 547	Advanced Techniques in Light Microscopy	4
	Neurosciences:
BIOM 509	Principles of Neurobiology	3
BIOM 532	Neurochemistry	3
BIOM 533	Neurophysiology and Neuroanatomy	4
BIOM 535	Seminar: Neuroscience	1
	Cell Biology/Physiology
BIOM 510	Physiology	3
BIOM 515	Cancer Biology	3
BIOL 510	Ecological and Evolutionary Genomics	4
BIOL 544	Genomes and Genomic Analyses	3
BIOL 545	Biology of Toxins	3
	Immunology/Infectious Disease:
BIOM 514	Immunobiology	3