Idaho State University

Students who are not already credentialed will need to fulfill the requirements listed in Route 2 in order to obtain an MS degree in Medical Laboratory Science. Applicants must be admitted for graduate education by the University and by the MLS program (separate applications). Please see the current Graduate Catalog for Admission Requirements. Students must then fulfill the following requirements:

• Follow course sequence described for a second BS degree, however courses will be taken at the 5000 level
• Complete 6 credits of practicum (required to obtain certification, will not count towards graduate coursework)
• Complete graduate curriculum coursework
• and complete thesis project.
  
  
  
  
  

BIOLOGY REQUIREMENTS
Minimum of 16 credits in Biology: must include Microbiology, A&P, Immunology, Cell Biology, Genetics, Pathobiology, or Pathophysiology
Course No.	Course Name	Credits	Completed
	Microbiology
	A&P
	Immunology,
	Cell Biology
	Pathobiology, or Pathophysiology
	Genetics
CHEMISTRY REQUIREMENTS
Minimum of 16 credits in Chemistry: recommended Organic, Biochemistry, Analytical Chemistry
Course No.	Course Name	Credits	Completed
	General Chem
MLS REQUIREMENTS
Course No.	Course Name	Credits	Completed
CLS 4410	Phlebotomy Practicum (F)	1 (lab)
CLS 5512	Urinalysis and Body Fluids (F)	1
CLS 5514	Hematology and Hemostasis (F)	3
CLS 5516	Medical Microbiology I (F)	3
CLS 5518	Medical Chemistry and Instrumentation (F)	3
CLS 5520	Medical Immunology (F)	2
CLS 5522	Basic Concepts in Transfusion Medicine (F)	2

 

 

 

 

A curriculum of course work and research project is designed and personalized for each student, depending on his/her area of interest and experience. The M.S. program in Medical Laboratory Science requires an original research project that culminates in a thesis, a minimum of 32 credits earned in graduate courses (including research and thesis), and expertise in core conceptual areas of Medical Laboratory -Science (scientific, administrative, or educational).

 

Core Curriculum Areas

The three core areas for Medical Laboratory Science that all students could include in their programs of study are:

1. Scientific subject core area including pathology, hematology, transfusion medicine (immunohematology), clinical chemistry, genetics, microbiology or molecular biology.
2. Management core area including information management, statistics, Quality Assurance Programs (i.e. Westgard, 6 Sigma Lean) predictive value theory, personnel, financial, organizational or regulatory concepts.
   
3. Educational core area including educational design and adult learning for professionals within and outside the medical laboratory setting.

Students are expected to have significant exposure to these core areas by the time they complete their degree requirements. Students coming in with MLS credentials have already demonstrated mastery of the core scientific
subject area and those who do not have these credentials will be expected to demonstrate mastery by an examination administered by the program before they finish their M.S. studies.

Students may opt to gain expertise through a variety of mechanisms including independent readings, formal course work, seminars or special projects. For those students who are not already credentialed, the 6 credits of the MLS Practicum are at the undergraduate level. This does not count toward the 32 graduate credit requirements.

Required Courses for the M.S. in MLS used to satisfy the core areas described below:

• CLS 4490, CLS 4491, CLS 4492, CLS 4493, and CLS 4494 Practicum experiences 6 cr (does not count for graduate credit)
  -OR-
  
• BOC MLS certification (does not count for graduate credit),
  CLS 6648 Graduate Problems (research) 4 cr, and
  CLS 6650 Thesis 6 cr

-AND-

• at least 3 cr of CLS graduate course work (CLS 6640, CLS 6641, CLS 6642, CLS 6643 and/or CLS 6644) 3 cr

The remaining credits are to be taken from graduate-level courses (a minimum of 16 at the 6600 level) in one or more of the core areas with the approval of the applicant’s committee and MLS Program Director.

Three graduate level courses (6 to 9 credits) approved by the graduate student’s committee may be taken from outside the department (to be taken at Boise State University, Idaho State University, or another approved university) and may include adult education, management, and/or medical informatics.

The thesis project may be in a core scientific subject, management or education or a combination thereof.