Master's Degree in Clinical Laboratory Science

The MS program in Clinical Laboratory Science (CLS) in the Center for Allied Health Programs is a multidisciplinary program designed to prepare the clinical laboratory scientist, or basic science undergraduate, for a career in research, teaching or industry within a specialized area of laboratory medicine. Graduates of this program have obtained research, teaching and managerial positions in academia, clinical laboratories and in industry. A substantial number have gone on to related Ph.D. programs or to medical school.

The CLS graduate faculty brings together research teams from the University of Minnesota as well as area hospitals. The great variety of faculty research gives graduate students an extraordinarily broad range of choices for their thesis research, including immunology, immunopathology, cancer biology, molecular genetics, cell biology, microbiology, hematology, clinical chemistry, proteomics, transfusion medicine, and laboratory management. The MS degree in CLS is offered only under Plan A, which requires a thesis as well as specific coursework.

Prerequisites
Applicants to the clinical laboratory science program must have a basic science or clinical laboratory science bachelor\'s degree, including standard college courses in organic and inorganic chemistry, biochemistry, physics, mathematics, and biology. Previous laboratory experience is advantageous. Applications for admission must include scores from the general aptitude section of the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) (GRE scores are not required for medical fellows), three letters of recommendation, and an autobiographical outline that includes a statement of career goals. MD Fellows must get a letter of support from their division Director (instead of the three letters of recommendation).

In addition, students from non-English speaking countries must submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. We require a minimum computer-based TOEFL score of 213, or a total of 79 with a minimum of 21 in writing and 19 in reading on the latest version.

Specialty Areas
Students in the CLS program choose a major area of concentration, i.e., clinical chemistry, hematology, immunology, molecular genetics, microbiology, or laboratory management. The first year of the program emphasizes coursework, although students may begin thesis research at any time. There are specific course requirements for each specialty area.

Tuition and Fees
The 2007-2008 tuition rates are available from One Stop under students, finances, tuition/fees. All students are required to pay certain fees based on the number of credits taken, courses taken, whether or not you have your own hospitalization insurance, etc.    More information on student fees is available on One Stop. Students on assistantships of 25 percent or more pay resident fees.

Research Assistantships
A limited number of research assistantships may be available to students on a competitive basis. All graduate research assistants at the University of Minnesota with appointments of at least 25% receive a tuition benefit (maximum of 14 credits per semester) and health insurance equal to twice the percentage of their appointment, e.g., graduate assistants with a 25% appointment will receive a 50% tuition and health insurance benefit and qualify for resident tuition. Students are also encouraged to apply for available financial aid.

During fall and spring semesters, graduate assistants at the University of Minnesota may not hold combined appointments totaling more than 75 percent time in all University payroll classes and appointments, including Continuing Education and Extension and civil service positions, without permission of the Dean of the Graduate School. The CLS program expects all students on assistantships to register for a full-time credit load (a minimum of six credits).

Other Sources of Financial Aid
Consult One Stop or the Student Financial Aid office for other sources of financial aid. As notices of specific fellowships or scholarships are received by the program, students will be informed as soon as possible.

Further information
Please contact Claire Bjorklund, Graduate Program Coordinator (612-625-8952; bjork005@umn.edu).