Academic Programs Catalog

College of Natural Science

Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program

Graduate Study
Biomedical Laboratory Science - Master of Arts

The Master of Arts degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science is administered by the Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Program. The program is designed to enhance the student’s knowledge base and broaden their perspectives across the profession. In addition to meeting the requirements of the university and of the College of Natural Science, students must meet all requirements specified below.

 

Admission

Regular admission to the Master of Arts degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science requires completion of a bachelor’s degree in a relevant field, with a grade-point average that is indicative of success in the program, including the following course work:

  1. Completion of 16 credits of biological science including one semester of microbiology.
  2. Completion of 16 credits of chemistry including organic chemistry and/or biochemistry.
  3. Completion of 3 credits of statistics.

Applicants must:

  1. Submit official transcripts.
  2. Submit three letters of recommendation on official letterhead paper from professional references such as supervisors, professors, or project leaders, people who have overseen your work and can speak to your ability to think critically, work independently, and succeed in graduate work. The letter must include the recommender's credentials and contact information.
  3. Submit a letter of intent or purpose statement that addresses why you want to enter graduate education, including career goals and educational goals. Highlight exceptional achievements or explain low performance or withdrawal from undergraduate courses.
  4. Submit a brief resume.
  5. Submit General Record Examination (GRE) scores. The GRE exam score can be waived in lieu of a professional credential. 
  6. Submit scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) if English is not the first language.
  7. Scholastic record, experience, personal qualifications and career goals will be taken into consideration to determine the applicant’s acceptability.

Applicants who fail to meet the criteria for regular admission, may apply for provisional admission if they have demonstrated a high probability of success and will be provided other options to obtain a post-baccalaureate clinical laboratory education.

For additional information on admission, contact the Graduate Program Director, 322 North Kedzie Hall, 354 Farm Lane, Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan 48824.

Requirements for the Master of Arts Degree in Biomedical Laboratory Science

The program is available online and only under Plan B (without thesis). The student must complete a total of 30 credits from the following:

1. All of the following courses (10 or 11 credits):
BLD 801 Biomedical Laboratory Diagnostics Seminar 2
BLD 805 Communication in the Sciences 2
BLD 811 Fundamentals of Scientific Research 1
BLD 890 Selected Problems in Clinical Laboratory Science 2 or 3
PHM 830 Experimental Design and Analysis 3
2. Complete at least 14 credits from the following courses:
BLD 815 Cell Biology in Health and Disease I 2
BLD 816 Cell Biology in Health and Disease II 2
BLD 821 Advanced Clinical Laboratory Practice 1
BLD 830 Concepts in Molecular Biology 2
BLD 831 Clinical Application of Molecular Biology 2
BLD 832 Molecular Pathology Laboratory 2
BLD 835 Hemostasis, Thrombosis and Effective Resource Management 3
BLD 836 Adverse Transfusion Outcomes: Detection, Monitoring and Prevention 2
BLD 837 Transfusion Service Operations and Management 1
BLD 838 Clinical Context of Blood Product Management 1
BLD 842 Managing Biomedical Laboratory Operations 2
BLD 844 Topics in Biomedical Laboratory Operations 1
BLD 846 Decision Processes for Biomedical Laboratory Operations 2
BLD 850 Concepts in Immunodiagnostics 2
BLD 851 Clinical Application of Immunodiagnostic Principles 2
BLD 852 Immunodiagnostics Laboratory 2
BLD 853 Advanced Flow Cytometry 2
BLD 861 Emerging Infections, Emerging Technology 2
BLD 870 Clinical Mass Spectrometry Theory 2
BLD 871 Applied Clinical Mass Spectrometry 2
BLD 872 Clinical Mass Spectrometry Laboratory 2
3. Complete 5 credits of electives as approved by the guidance committee.
4. Successfully complete a capstone project.