Master’s Programs

Overview

The Department of Clinical Laboratory Sciences offers a Master of Science degree in Clinical Laboratory Sciences with a specialization in Forensic and Analytical Toxicology. The master’s degree program requires a minimum of 36 credit hours, including research and thesis, for graduation. The course work may be taken as a part-time or full time student.

Career Opportunities

Toxicology graduates may work in a number of different facilities including:

  • Toxicology Reference Laboratory
  • Medical Examiner's Office
  • Department of Public Safety Laboratory
  • Academic Research
  • Biomedical Corporations (research and development)
  • Drug Enforcement Agency

Examples of student research projects

  • Effect of Anticonvulsants on MRP-2 Gene Expression
  • Metabolic Profile of the Drug Famprofazone
  • Metabolic Profile of the Drug Famprofazone following Multidose Administration
  • GHB: Evaluation of Current Analytical Methodologies and Determination of Endogenous Postmortem Concentrations in Biological Samples
  • Correlation of Cocaine and Opiate Levels Between Two Routine Post-mortem Samples -- Blood and Skeletal Muscle.
  • The Effects of Consumption of Herbal Dietary Supplements on Amphetamine/Metamphetamine Urinalysis: The Herbal Dietary Supplement Defense
  • Effect of Accutane on Uptake of Catecholamines
  • Regulation of Lung a-epithelial Sodium Channels and Glucocorticoid Receptors by Novel Synthetic Glucocorticoide
  • A Comparison of Drug Concentrations in Sequestered Femoral Blood with Thigh Muscle, Un-sequestered Femoral Blood, Heart Blood, and Subclaviar Blood Specimens to Evaluate the Degree of Postmortem Drug Redistribution

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a Clinical Laboratory Scientist (medical technologist) to enroll?

Students who have a baccalaureate degree in biology, chemistry, Clinical Laboratory Science or other science fields may enroll in the Forensic and Analytical Toxicology track. Students who are interested in the Immunohematology track must be a CLS with experience in the blood bank.

Do I have to go full time?

The curriculum was designed for part-time as well as full time students. Students have 6 years to complete the program.

Are there stipends or teaching assistantships?

The M.S. program does not offer stipends or teaching assistantships. Those students who are not employed full time but who are clinical laboratory scientists may be able to find part-time work in clinical laboratories in the medical center area.

How many students are accepted each year?

We generally accept only 2-3 students per year because of limited practicum sites.