Masters in Molecular Diagnostic Science

About The Program

The Master’s Degree in Molecular Diagnostic Science (MMDS) program provides professional education and training at the graduate level for laboratory scientists in the area of molecular diagnosis for acquired, inherited, and infectious diseases.

The MMDS program prepares professionals who are competent in performing and interpreting molecular-based laboratory tests, explaining the appropriate use and meaning of molecular-based tests to other health care professionals, and establishing and validating new molecular methods in a clinical laboratory. Graduates are qualified to take the national certification examinations in molecular biology from the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel (NCA) and from the American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP).

The MMDS program consists of web-based courses, on-campus laboratory courses, on-campus class meetings and a structured practical experience in a molecular diagnostics laboratory. During the clinical rotation, students work on two method evaluation projects and present their results at the end of the program in the Capstone course. The web-based courses allow students greater flexibility in learning but they are no less demanding than traditional classroom courses. Students interested in the MMDS program should be ready to make a full time commitment to studying at the graduate level. The commitment in time and resources will enable students to enter an exciting and constantly changing field of medicine.

The new MMDS program is an expansion of the previous post-baccalaureate certificate in Molecular Diagnostic Science (MDS-C). The new Master’s Degree in Molecular Diagnostic Science will build on that program, adding courses that will strengthen students’ preparation for future roles as practitioners, educators, researchers, and leaders in the molecular diagnostics industry. With the launch of the new Master’s degree program, the certificate program will not be offered.

The MMDS is a program in the Division of Clinical Laboratory Science, Department of Allied Health Sciences in the UNC-CH School of Medicine.

View a Flash presentation about the Molecular Diagnostic Science program

There will be a campus information session about the MMDS program on Wednesday, Oct 8, 2008 at 5 pm in G100 Bondurant Hall.

Length of Program

The MMDS program can be completed in 18 months. We expect students to start and finish the program as a cohort in 18 months. In the event that a student can not complete the courses in this time frame, the student will have up to 4 years to complete all the courses and receive the Master’s Degree. Because of the cohort nature of the MMDS program, part time students will not be accepted.

Cost of Attendance

The tuition for the MMDS program is established by the university and can be found at the Cashier’s Office website: http://finance.unc.edu/asst.-vc--controller/student-account-services/welcome.html

Note: The Master’s in Molecular Diagnostic Science program may not be listed on the University Cashier’s page yet because it is so new. The tuition will be the same as other graduate level programs in the Department of Allied Health Sciences. On the tuition and fees document, go to the page for Health Affairs – Graduates. Then look for the other Allied Health Sciences programs (e.g. Doctor of Audiology, Doctor of Physical Therapy, Master’s in Occupational Science).

Application fee: There is a non-refundable $75.00 application fee.
Enrollment Deposit: There is a $200 enrollment fee for students who are accepted into the MMDS program. The enrollment fee is applied to the fall semester tuition. The enrollment fee is not refundable.
Other costs: Travel to Chapel Hill, lodging, and meals for attending week-long sessions will be the student’s responsibility. Living expenses and costs of re-locating to attend the 6-month clinical rotation will be borne by the student.