The Concept

Numerous situations can be recalled that describe how being technically well versed does not necessarily ensure success in a science-based career path. In a similar manner, effective management and leadership requires more than the rote application of economic and business principles. This concept holds true for many fields including those related to biomedical laboratories. With this in mind, the Medical Technology Program at Michigan State University has created a blended master's degree program. This program emphasizes the changes in economics, governmental regulations and markets that influence our scope of practice and yet retains the fundamental science base integral to the profession. With this interdisciplinary approach, graduates will be business savvy scientists uniquely qualified for a variety of supervisory and management positions in industrial or clinical settings.

Graduate level studies have been offered by the Medical Technology Program at Michigan State University for the last 40 years. This traditional degree solely emphasized scientific competence. We have found that in many instances, graduates of this program found little benefit for career advancement with this degree only. Many only realized its benefit as a stepping stone to a Ph.D program. The Biomedical Laboratory Operations (BMLO) is intended to be a terminal degree. This implies the program will provide a platform for rapid career advancement without a need for further formal education. It is hoped that graduates of this program will effectively compete with individuals with similar educational backgrounds (ie MBA, traditional MS or PhD in science). The advantage BMLO students will have arises from the hybrid characteristics of this degree that integrates biology, chemistry and the diagnostic sciences with information management, business, and an understanding of the regulatory environment of healthcare.

Further information on Professional Masters Degree Programs can be found at the following links.

Michigan State University College of Natural Science
http://www.ns.msu.edu/prospective/grad/profmasters.htm

Sloan Foundation
http://www.sciencemasters.com/