MS in BLS Admissions

MLS Student working in a lab

Cutting-Edge Research & Innovative Educational Models

Relevant Information

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Admission Requirements

To enter this program students must have ALL of the following:

  • A BS or BA degree in MLS or a related field (e.g. Biology)
  • MT(ASCP) or current MLSCM certification from ASCP
    • Categorical certification by ASCP will be considered on a case-by-case basis
    • ASCP Categorical certification may have additional requirements
    • International students may have alternate options for ASCP certification
  • Minimum of two year’s full-time work experience as an medical laboratory scientist
  • Minimum GPA for consideration is 3.0; preferred GPA is 3.2 or higher
    • Must maintain a minimum program GPA of 2.8 to meet UMN graduation requirements
  • International applicants must also submit score(s) from one of the following tests:
    • TOEFL – Test of English as Foreign Language (preferred)
      • Internet Based - Total Score: 95
      • Paper Based - Total Score: 586
    • MELAB – Michigan English Language Assessment Battery
      • Final score: 85
  • International applicants 

Please contact cahpinfo@umn.edu for more information.

Preparing to Apply to the MS in Biomedical Laboratory Science

Please submit ALL application materials as individual pdf files. Add your Last/Family name to the application file name to help the Admissions committee sort materials for review.

Examples:

  • Lastname.personalstatement.pdf
  • Lastname.extenuatingcircumstances.pdf
  • Lastname.resume.pdf

Personal Statement – Required
Develop a Personal Statement for your application. In your personal statement please describe why you are interested in pursuing the MS in Biomedical Laboratory Science degree; your personal or professional career goals; and the area of interest for your focus track in the degree.

Diversity Statement – Optional
A maximum one-page document explaining your experiences and commitments to diversity.

Extenuating Circumstances Statement – Optional
Submit an Extenuating Circumstances Statement if there are any special circumstances related to your application, personal situation, or professional career goals that should be considered by the Admissions committee.

Resume/CV – Required
Please submit a complete resume that includes a list of previous college degrees and work experience.

Graduate Program Specific Additional Requirements – Required

  • Applicants with MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP)CM Certification:

    • Please submit a pdf copy of your ASCP Certificate or ASCP Transcript

    OR 

  • Applicants that do not have ASCP MT or MLS Certification, please submit one of the following:*
    • Copy of ASCP categorical; AMT, other certification
    • Copy of license
    • International Students – brief statement about eligibility to work as MLS in country of origin

* Applicants who do not have MT(ASCP) or MLS(ASCP) certification will be required to also complete MLSP 6610 Integrated Concepts.

Application Process

  • Review the requirements
  • Go to the UMN Graduate School Application website
    • Review the general application information on this admissions website page
  • Select “Apply Now”
    Apply
    • If you are a first time user Create an Account
    • Or Login if you are a returning user
      ✔ You can stop and return to your application at any time – just login to continue
      ✔ Make note of your email and password for the future
      ✔ Complete the online application form
  • Program Selection Page
    • Select the UM Twin Cities campus
    • College/School – do not select – leave open
    • Select Biomedical Laboratory Sciences MS within the Twin Cities Program Listing
    • How did you hear about this program? – optional
    • Click Continue at the bottom of the screen
  • Term Selection Page
    • Select the term you would like to begin your program of study.
    • Click Continue at the bottom of the screen
  • Biographical Information Page
    • Enter your biographical information
    • Click Continue at the bottom of the screen
  • Personal Background Page
    • Enter the information for your personal background
    • Click Continue at the bottom of the screen
  • Academic History Page
    • Please add information for ALL colleges and universities you have attended, even if you did not receive a degree.
    • Click Add Institution to add more colleges
    • You can upload unofficial transcripts at this point
    • Once you are notified, you will need to separately request Official Transcripts from each college sent directly to the UMN Graduate School.
    • Click Continue at the bottom of the screen
    • Please go to this website for current instructions to submit Official transcripts
  • Test Scores Page
    • Enter relevant test scores.
    • The MS in BLS does not require the GRE
    • International Students must submit their TOEFL or equivalent scores here.
      • Official reports must be submitted directly to the University of Minnesota
    • Click Continue at the bottom of the screen
  • Employment Page
    • Please enter relevant employment history (3 most recent)
    • Please include the name of the employer as well as your job title/position and dates of employment.
    • Click Continue at the bottom of the screen
  • Materials Page
    • Please upload the required materials as pdf files -see the preparation instructions above
      • Personal Statement – Required
      • Diversity Statement – Optional
      • Extenuating Circumstances Statement – Optional
      • Resume/CV – Required
      • Graduate Program Additional Material – upload ASCP certification or other
      • Select proposed Track Choice from the list – can be changed later
    • Click Continue at the bottom of the screen
  • Recommendations Page
    • Please provide the following information for 2 individuals who can provide a professional letter of recommendation. Individuals should be current or past employers and/or faculty from previous colleges or universities.
    • Your recommendation providers will receive an email from gradappinfo@umn.edu
      Please ask your providers to add this email address to their contact list and to double check spam/junk folders if they do not receive the message.
      • Recommendation provider name
      • Organization
      • Position/Title
      • Relationship
      • Phone
      • Email
      • Personal Message to Recommender
    • Applicant’s Right to View Recommendations – select your choice
      • I waive my right to access this report
      • I do not waive my right to access this report
    • Click Continue at the bottom of the screen
  • Confirmation and Signature Page
    • On this page you will indicate confirmation of your application information and make an electronic signature
  • Review
    • The review page will indicate whether your materials are complete.
    • If there are any materials missing, the review page will indicate which portions of your application are incomplete.
    • You can return to the application and submit missing documentation

Suggested Plan of Study for MS in Biomedical Laboratory Science

Notes for the MS in Biomedical Laboratory Science (MS - BLS):

  • Applicants must apply to the MS - BLS program through the University of Minnesota Twin Cities Graduate School.
  • This degree is a total of 30-33 credits that can be completed 100% online. The program does not require summer semesters for timely completion.
  • For degree completion, students must select a minimum total of 9 credit hours of elective courses. specific tracks are not required.