Online Education (master Degree Medical Technology)

By Author: John Srob
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Master of Science in Medical Technology

Students in master's degree programs in medical technology learn to evaluate medical tests on bodily fluids, such as blood, and other specimens, such as tissue. Study and research is devoted to the goal of preventing or treating diseases. In preparation for a career in medical technology, students spend extensive time in laboratories, gaining practical experience. It is common for students to complete clinical internships with affiliated or local hospitals. Graduates typically earn a Master of Science in Medical Technology degree.

Education Prerequisites

A bachelor's degree is required for admission to a master's degree program in medical technology. While an undergraduate degree in medical technology or a related field may be helpful, it is rarely required for admissions.

Program Coursework

Classroom-based work in a master's degree program in medical technology consists of extensive study of advanced biology and chemistry. Common core courses include the following:

Biochemistry
Immunology
Molecular biology
Microbiology
...
... Infectious diseases
Medical technology clinical techniques

Employment Outlook and Salary Info

Medical technologists held over 172,000 jobs in 2008, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. That number was expected to grow 12% by 2018. While growth is fostered through new medical tests, increased automation and simplification of tests limits the number of medical technologists needed. The job market was expected to be strong; however, due to a lack of qualified applicants relative to demand.

Continuing Education Information

It is possible to begin a career in medical technology with a bachelor's degree, though a master's degree provides stronger career options. A Ph.D. in Medical Technology is typically pursued only by individuals interested in education and advanced research. Though not required by law, certification is often preferred in this field. Several organizations offer certification, including the American Medical Technologists and the National Credentialing Agency for Laboratory Personnel. Licensure is required for medical technologists in some states.

What Can I Do With a Master's Degree in Medical Technology?

Armed with a master's degree in medical technology, you'll be prepared for a career as a clinical laboratory technologist (also known as a medical technologist or clinical laboratory scientist). You'll work alongside doctors and other healthcare professionals to assist in the diagnostic process. You'll use a variety of tests to examine blood and tissue samples and aid in the diagnosis of illness and disease.

With a master's degree, you'll also be eligible to work as a lab director. You could pursue positions in education and possibly hospital administration. You may also find a position working with pharmaceutical and medical equipment manufacturers in sales or marketing.

Are There Any Prerequisites?

If you're interested in a master's degree program in medical technology, you should have a bachelor's degree in a scientific discipline, like microbiology or zoology. If your undergraduate degree is in an unrelated field, you may be required to complete core science and mathematics courses like human anatomy and physiology, calculus and statistics. If you have previous professional experience as a clinical lab technician or technologist, you'll be even better prepared for the clinical rotations that are often part of a master's degree program.

What Courses Will I Take?

In a medical technology master's degree program, you will learn how to perform a variety of laboratory tests in hands-on clinical settings. In addition, you'll also complete traditional classroom courses to learn the theories and principles of the field. Topics you can expect to study include these:

Cell biology
Laboratory safety & infection control
Pathology
Microbiology
Epidemiology
Virology

Some master's degree programs are intended for students who have already earned a bachelor's degree in medical technology and have professional experience in the field. These programs include fewer theoretical classes and place an increased emphasis on building your advanced hands-on technical skills. Conversely, if you have a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field, you can choose a 3-year graduate degree program. These programs provide a more thorough introduction to the fundamentals of medical technology careers.

Can I Earn the Degree Online?

If you're interested in earning a master's degree in medical technology, online learning options are limited. Most programs require students to write a thesis based on original research or complete clinical rotations at a local hospital or clinic. Therefore, they can't be completed online.

Rarely, a program that doesn't require a thesis or other hands-on study may be completed entirely online. You would complete a project based on analysis of previously collected data. Such a terminal degree program in medical technology may be appropriate if you're interested in a career in education or medical administration. In these careers, you could work to improve the standard of patient care provided by medical laboratories.

The objectives of the full-time, one-year program are to provide a unique opportunity for the design fellow to:

Identify specific areas of clinical needs in regards to both invasive and non-invasive diagnosis and treatments
Formulate focused device solutions to these needs
Assess the feasibility and effectiveness of potential solutions
Plan and design device solution after vetting process
Conduct preliminary testing and prototyping of device solution
Consider options for further development of intellectual property for device, technique, and/or concept.

You May Qualify For Financial Aid.