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 examination in molecular biology 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.  The Division of CLS is currently seeking initial accreditation for the MMDS program from the National Accrediting Agency for Clinical Laboratory Science (NAACLS), 5600 North River Road, Suite 720; Rosemont, IL 60018.

View a Flash presentation about the Molecular Diagnostic Science program.