Master of Science in Clinical Laboratory Sciences
Degree Plans & Curriculum
See Also: SHP Bulletin and Student Handbook
MS in CLS for certified CLS Graduates
The MSCLS program is a 30-credit online master's degree for clinical laboratory professionals who hold a baccalaureate degree and are certified to practice clinical laboratory sciences. The program is designed for practicing professionals who want to advance their knowledge and skills in the clinical laboratory sciences and develop new proficiencies needed to meet the challenges of a changing profession.
The program will develop an individual's ability in management skills, correlating current techniques with potential new techniques, validating new procedures, and conducting basic research within the clinical laboratory aimed at improving the delivery of clinical laboratory services. This degree track can also be taken on-campus/distance and completed either full or part time. Upon completion of this program, the individual would be awarded the Master's of Clinical Laboratory Science degree from the University of Texas Medical Branch.
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Total Credit Hours: 30
| Semester | Course | Title | Credits |
|---|
| Fall I | CLLS 5319 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| Total: 3 |
| Spring I | CLLS 6307* | Molecular Diagnostics | 3 |
| Spring I | MSHP 5302 | Intro to Scientific Writing | 3 |
| Total: 6 |
| Summer I | CLLS 5312 | Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine | 3 |
| Summer I | MSHP 5301 | Medical Ethics | 3 |
| Total: 6 |
| Fall II | CLLS 5329 | Clinical Laboratory Science Research | 3 |
| Total: 3 |
| Spring II | CLLS 5327 | Laboratory Validation | 3 |
| Spring II | CLLS 5330 | Clinical Investigative Studies (offered year round and may be taken for credit more than once) | 3 |
| Spring II | CLLS 5320 | Laboratory Management | 3 |
| Total: 9 |
| Summer II | CLLS 5333 | Master's Thesis (offered year round) | 3 |
| Total: 3 |
*Students who have taken an undergraduate molecular diagnostics course are recommended to take CLLS 6348 Advanced Topics in Molecular Diagnostics
Weekend Laboratory
The molecular diagnostics course has a laboratory component. Students enrolled in this course will be required to attend wet laboratories at participating laboratories for approximately 4 days within one week during the semester to learn molecular procedures.
Masters Thesis
The student will complete a rigorous thesis that 1) constructs a focused investigation of a clinical laboratory science problem in real-world setting, 2) applies problem solving methodologies for development and execution of solutions, 3) investigates and applies theory through practical implementation of a project, and 4) evaluates and reports this research project in a clear, professional manner using the guidelines set forth in the course syllabus.
MS in CLS for Science Graduates
The MSCLS for Science graduates program is an 80-credit blended (online with on-campus laboratory experiences) masters degree for individuals holding a Bachelor of Science in biology, chemistry, or a related major and who are not certified medical technologists / clinical laboratory scientists but who desire a career in the clinical laboratory sciences. Upon completion, these individuals will be eligible to take a national examination for certification as a medical technologist/clinical laboratory scientist.
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Core CLS Curriculum: 38
Additional Required Courses: 30
Other (Specify, e.g. internships, clinical work): 12
Total Credit Hours: 80
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| Semester | Course | Title | Credits |
|---|
| Fall I | CLLS 5200 | Laboratory Techniques | 2 |
| Fall I | CLLS 5319 | Biostatistics | 3 |
| Fall I | CLLS 5405 | Intermediate Pathogenic Microbiology | 4 |
| Total: 9 |
| Spring I | CLLS 5417 | Hematology and Coagulation I | 4 |
| Spring I | CLLS 6325 | Advanced Path Microbiology/Mycology | 3 |
| Spring I | CLLS 5506 | Clinical Chemistry I | 5 |
| Spring I | MSHP 5302 | Intro to Scientific Writing | 3 |
| Total: 15 |
| Summer I | CLLS 5310 | Serology and Blood Banking | 3 |
| Summer I | CLLS 5331 | Urinalysis, Body Fluids & Parasitology | 3 |
| Summer I | CLLS 5335 | Clinical Practice | 3 |
| Summer I | CLLS 5312 | Evidence-based Laboratory Medicine | 3 |
| Summer I | CLLS 6310 | Clinical Chemistry II | 3 |
| Total: 15 |
| Fall II | CLLS 5336 | Clinical Practice II | 3 |
| Fall II | CLLS 6417 | Coagulation / Hematology II | 4 |
| Fall II | CLLS 5415 | Immunology and Immunohematology | 4 |
| Fall II | CLLS 5329 | Clinical Laboratory Science Research | 3 |
| Total: 14 |
| Spring II | CLLS 6307 | Molecular Diagnostics | 3 |
| Spring II | CLLS 5337 | Clinical Practice III | 3 |
| Spring II | CLLS 5327 | Laboratory Validation Studies | 3 |
| Spring II | CLLS 5320 | Laboratory Management | 3 |
| Total: 12 |
| Summer II | CLLS 5307 | Clinical Laboratory Science Seminar | 3 |
| Summer II | CLLS 5338 | Clinical Practice IV | 3 |
| Summer II | MSHP 5301 | Medical Ethics | 3 |
| Summer II | CLLS 5330 | Clinical Investigative Studies (offered year round) | 3 |
| Total: 12 |
| Fall III | CLLS 5333 | Masters' Thesis (offered year round) | 3 |
| Total: 3 |
Clinical Laboratory Basis
- At least 35 credits of subjects specific to clinical laboratory science will be completed by applicants without a degree in clinical laboratory science prior to remainder of the curriculum. This is necessary both for the student to be sufficiently knowledgeable about the profession to practice in a clinical laboratory setting and to select a Masters Project.
- These courses are predominately laboratory courses. Competency in the various laboratory techniques is necessary to function within the clinical science laboratory. This requires that the student be a student on the Galveston or Tyler campus.
Clinical Practice (Preceptorships)
- Supervised clinical practice will include: clinical chemistry, hematology, microbiology, & immunohematology.
- Supervised clinical practice (preceptorship) will involve 40 hours/week for 3 weeks per specialty area specified above for a total of 120 hours.
Masters Thesis
The student will complete a rigorous thesis that
- Constructs a focused investigation of a clinical laboratory science problem in real-world setting
- Applies problem solving methodologies for development and execution of solutions
- Investigates and applies theory through practical implementation of a project
- Evaluates and reports this research project in a clear, professional manner using the guidelines set forth in the course syllabus