Master's curriculum
RAM Opportunity
This program is a proud partner of the RAM (Recent Alumni Master’s) Opportunity! The RAM Opportunity encourages Ram baccalaureate graduates to further their education and grow their career opportunities by pursuing a master's degree at VCU. As an upcoming or recent graduate of VCU, take advantage of standardized testing waiver, $70 graduate application fee waiver, and $600 annual tuition discount for two consecutive years of full-time enrollment in one of the participating master's programs (Virginia residents only). For more information, contact the Graduate School.
Program options
The department offers four concentrations in the master's degree program in Medical Laboratory Sciences.
Full-time candidates require a minimum of five academic years (two years of pre-requisites and three years in the professional program) to complete the program. There are no full-time residence requirements. Part-time students must complete all graduate level requirements within five years. An interruption in registration in excess of one semester requires prior approval of the department.
Advanced Master's Concentration in Medical Laboratory Sciences
Students holding a baccalaureate degree in medical laboratory sciences/medical technology and generalist certification by the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel, Inc. or the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathologists are eligible for the advanced master's concentration. Candidates may specialize and complete a project in clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, immunohematology, immunology or molecular diagnostics. In addition to the basic science requirement, each student will choose an area of secondary emphasis in biomedical research, education, management or business. Please visit the VCU bulletin for the most up to date course offerings for the Advanced concentration.
Categorical Master's Concentration in Medical Laboratory Sciences
The categorical master's concentration is designed for students with a baccalaureate degree in biology or chemistry. This concentration provides specialized study, including a clinical practicum, in one of the following areas: clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology or immunohematology. A project is required. Upon completion of the curriculum, students are eligible to take a national certification examination in the area in which they performed their concentrated study. Please visit the VCU bulletin for the most up to date course offerings for the Categorical concentration.
Accelerated Master's Concentration in Medical Laboratory Sciences
The accelerated master's concentration integrates undergraduate and graduate coursework and leads to the awarding of a BS and a MS degree simultaneously. Upon completion of the curriculum, students are eligible to take the national certification examinations for a MLS/MT generalist. Students pursuing the Accelerated Master's concentration must initially qualify for admission to the Bachelor of Science program in Medical Laboratory Sciences. Please visit the VCU bulletin for the most up to date course offerings for the Accelerated concentration.
Concentration in public health laboratory sciences, Master of Science in Medical Laboratory Sciences
Students holding baccalaureate degrees in clinical laboratory sciences/medical laboratory sciences and MLS generalist certification by the Board of Certification of the American Society for Clinical Pathology are eligible for the public health laboratory sciences concentration. This concentration provides specialized study, including a clinical practicum, in public health laboratory sciences. A project is required. Please visit the VCU bulletin for the most up to date course offerings for the public health laboratory sciences concentration.