MMDS Admissions

Who Should Apply?

The MMDS program is intended for current laboratory professionals and individuals with a baccalaureate degree and a strong preparation in science.

• Laboratory practitioners with current certification as a clinical laboratory scientist (CLS) or medical technologist (MT) can advance their knowledge and credentials in this rapidly growing area of molecular diagnostics.
• Cytotechnologists will find this program prepares them to understand and perform the molecular testing that is an increasing part of their clinical practice.
• Students with an undergraduate science degree and an interest in molecular diagnostic testing will be prepared to work in clinical laboratories, research laboratories, and industry.

In addition to students who wish to practice in molecular diagnostic laboratories, the program will help prepare faculty for associate degree and baccalaureate degree clinical laboratory educational programs.

Application deadline: January 1.

Complete applications postmarked by January 1 will be given first consideration for admissions. Applications received or completed after that date will be considered if positions are available in the program.

Admissions Process

Individuals holding a baccalaureate degree with the required pre-requisite courses may apply for admission. Individuals who have completed an accredited program in Clinical Laboratory Science are considered to have met all prerequisites. An overall undergraduate GPA of 3.0 or higher is recommended.

The application process includes:

1. Application Form. Application to the MMDS program is a self-managed process. The completed application form, supporting documents and non-refundable application fee of $77.00 should be placed in one envelope and mailed as a complete packet. The check or money order should be made out to University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill with “Application Fee for MMDS” written on the memo line. The check or money order should be mailed with the application, but not stapled to the application.  Writing samples should be submitted with the application. These include a description of the profession, statement of purpose and clinical rotation plan. (See the application for more details.)
2. Recommendation forms. Two recommendations attesting to the applicant's academic ability and suitability for a health care career will be required. These should be completed by employers, college professors or teaching assistants who are familiar with the applicant's academic abilities in the sciences.
3. Transcripts (Transcript Request Form). Official transcript(s) of course work all post-secondary educational institutions attended, including a transcript from an accredited college or university which indicates successful completion of a baccalaureate degree. Applicants with education obtained outside the US or Canada must submit a course-by-course evaluation for equivalency reviewed by an evaluation agency. Suggested agencies include, but are not limited to:
   1. Credentials Evaluation Service
      PO Box 66940
      Los Angeles, CA 90066
      310-390-6276
   2. International Education Evaluation Inc
      5030 Flagstone Ct
      Harrisburg, NC 28075
      704-455-6154
   3. International Education Research
      Credentials Evaluation Services
      PO Box 3665
      Culver City, CA 90231-3665
      310-258-9451
4. GRE scores from the General GRE test must be submitted. A subject area test is not required. Send a copy of your official GRE scores with your application. We can not accept an electronic record of your GRE score at this time because our on-line application is not yet available. Tests must have been taken in the past five years. At times, the five year framework can be waived. Students may request consideration for a waiver of the five – year time requirement. The request must be made in writing with a copy of the GRE scores.
5. TOEFL scores are required for all international applicants, except those from countries where English is the official language of instruction (Australia, Bahamas, Canada-except Quebec, England, Ghana, Ireland, India, Jamaica, New Zealand, Nigeria, Scotland, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad, Tobego, and Wales) OR those who have received or will receive a degree from a university in the United States. Applicants must submit an acceptable, official (reported directly from ETS) TOEFL Score. If you are currently enrolled at a U.S. institution, you must submit an official transcript or verification of degree candidate status from that institution to qualify for a TOEFL waiver. If the degree or an official verification is not received, the TOEFL score will again be required.
   The required minimum total score on the computer-based TOEFL exam is 213 with a minimum score of 18 in each subsection. The required minimum total score on the paper-based TOEFL exam is 550 with a minimum of 50 in each section. The minimum score on the internet-based examination is 79-80. TOEFL scores are reportable for a period of two years from date of the exam. Exam results more than two years old will not be reported by ETS, and thus cannot be considered by us. TOEFL scores that are submitted to this institution are kept on file for only one year.
   Send a copy of your official TOEFL scores with your application. We can not accept an electronic record of your TOEFL score at this time because our on-line application is not yet available. We recommend that you plan to take any required exams no later than October to allow time for scores to arrive in time for consideration for fall admission.
6. Financial Certificate (for international students). Additional information for international applicants may be found at http://oisss.unc.edu.
7. Campus Safety Information. Applicants for admission will be asked several questions regarding criminal pleas, charges and convictions, academic suspensions, and military discharges on the MMDS application. You will also be asked to submit information for a criminal background check. You must describe violations of law in your home country and in any other country in which you have resided. The term “law” includes codes, legal rules and regulations, and other criminal-type statutes or violations of municipal, local, provincial, state, federal, national, commonwealth, and other governmental jurisdiction. Failure to provide complete, accurate and truthful information will be grounds to deny or withdraw your admission, or to dismiss you after enrollment. The same actions will occur if you fail to notify the Admissions Office promptly in writing of such charges that occur at any time after you submit the application.
8. Interviews. Based on the review of the submitted materials, applicants may be interviewed to assess their career goals and aptitude for molecular diagnostic laboratory testing.

Confirmation: You will receive an email confirmation when your complete application with the application fee is received in the Allied Health Sciences Admissions Office.

Ready to apply?