Clinical Lab Sciences Graduate Programs

Clinical Lab Science Graduate Programs and Curriculum

It’s important to know that many clinical lab science graduate programs value a bachelor’s degree in biomedical sciences, medical technology or clinical lab science. At the very least, they typically seek applicants with extensive undergraduate coursework in biology, chemistry, and biochemistry. Any deficiency in coursework will be assessed to determine whether additional classes will be needed before beginning the graduate curriculum.

While curriculum varies by program, coursework often includes:

• Hematology
• Immunology
• Clinical chemistry
• Medical parasitology and mycology
• Public health
• Advanced nutrition
• Genetic diagnostics
• Molecular pathology
• Infectious disease
• Current topics in clinical lab science

Clinical Lab Science Career Paths

Those working in the medical science field frequently find work with research firms, hospitals, and pharmaceutical companies. According to information collected by the University of Massachusetts-Lowell, graduates of their clinical lab sciences graduate program have accepted positions as clinical lab supervisors, health care administrators, biomedical or biotechnology research scientists, and clinical trial coordinators. Others have found work as pharmaceutical scientists, forensic scientists, and in the biomedical device industry.

Clinical Lab Sciences Future Job Outlook

Fueled by advances in biotechnology and growth in disease research, medical science job opportunities are expected to increase by 40 percent by 2018 as projected by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Similarly, salary expectations for medical scientists are good. According to the BLS, the average salary for a medical scientist is $72,590; however, this figure varies based on industry of employment.

Data according to

“Medical Scientists.” Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Ed.