The Master’s program in Clinical Laboratory Sciences began in 1996 and belongs to the School of Health Professions of the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico. This program is designed to fit the needs of the working medical technologist. It offers a innovative cutting-edge educational experience primarily in areas related to molecular diagnostics; the administration of clinical laboratories; instrumentation and analytical procedures; clinical research and quality assurance among others. This allows our graduates to be professionals prepared to: face the challenges of the modern clinical laboratory; participate in research projects; manage clinical laboratories and carry out local trainings that address situations of an instrumental and/or analytical nature, among others. In addition, the program emphasizes the research component by requiring a research project with publishable results. The primary objective of the program is to train students with skills in modern techniques of administration, leadership, molecular diagnosis and quality assurance, among others.
Duration of the Program/Meeting Hours
Students are admitted to the program only once a year and can begin graduate studies in August of the current academic year. The duration of the program is three years and courses are offered one evening during the week from 5:00 pm – 9:00 pm and alternate Saturdays from 8:00 am – 12:00 pm. All regular students are expected to register in 6 semester credits.
Language
The language of instruction is Spanish, although textbooks are mostly in English. Applicants are encouraged to contact the program for detailed information.
Admission Requirements
- Qualified applicants must have earned Baccalaureate degree or Post-Baccalaureate Certificate in Medical Technology from an accredited institution of higher education and be certified by the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or an equivalent professional accrediting agency.
- Minimum general and specific grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.50
- Two Official Transcripts from all the institutions that were attended.
- Two letters of recommendation from a former professor and/or from an employer. (Specific format is provided. Click the hyperlink)
- A personal interview with the program’s faculty.
- An Intention Letter that will be written the same day of the interview.
- Admission application – electronically filed through https://sistemas.rcm.upr.edu/admisiones/
- Non refundable admission fee.
Important Dates to Remember
- Admission to the program is open until March 15 of each academic year.
Registration Costs
Registration fee for the entire program (three years) is: $5,600.00 (this does not include: facilities fess, graduation fees, ID card and health insurance among others). This amount can be paid as follows: First Year $2,400.00; Second Year $1,700.00 and Third Year $1,500.00. The student can apply for a payment extension.
Graduation Requirements
In order to graduate, students must:
- Complete de 36 credit-hour program.
- Obtain a minimum overall grade point average (GPA) of 3.00.
- Complete the research project approved by the faculty.
- Complete graduation requirements within a five-year period.
Course Descriptions
Informative Sheet
Program Faculty
Dr. Bárbara Segarra Vázquez, Dean of the School of Health Professions and Director
Prof. María T. San Martín, Associate Director
Dr. Margarita Irizarry Ramírez, Faculty Member
The program has an excellent pool of outstanding faculty members from different disciplines that have been with the program for more than five years. This faculty has high qualifications and is strongly committed to the goal of providing a balanced program of study designed to produce clinical laboratory scientists.
In addition to the teaching faculty, we have a cadre of distinguished mentors who have demonstrated commitment and scholarly productivity supporting the program’s goals and objectives and mentoring clinical research.
Physical Address
UPR-Medical Sciences Campus
School of Health Professions Building
Office 631
Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico
For more information , please contact:
Ms. Veronica Morales, Administrative Assistant I
(787) 758-2525 ext. 2110
Prof. María T. San Martín, Associate Director
(787) 758-2525 exts. 2712, 1689, 2600
maria.sanmartin@upr.edu