Why study this program?

The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology provides a program leading to the degree of Master of Science (MSc) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.

For thesis based MSc and PhD degrees, research activities may be carried out in the General Program, or in one of three second-level specializations: Molecular Pathology, Analytical and Environmental Toxicology, and Biopreservation. Course and practicum-based MSc programs are also offered.

Inquiries should be directed to the Graduate Program Administrator of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology.

Entrance Requirements

For all MSc programs and PhD programs

Indigenous Applicants
The Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology will provide admission to all MSc and PhD programs to all qualified Indigenous applicants not to exceed the current overall intake, if any, for Year One students. For the definition of an Indigenous applicant, please see Definition of Indigenous People for the Purpose of Admission  of the University Calendar.

For thesis-based MSc programs and PhD programs

See Faculty of Medicine and Dentistry Graduate Program Entrance Requirements .

All students admitted to this program are required to complete a course focused on the histories, experiences, and/or perspective of Indigenous peoples in Canada. This is a program prerequisite. For students who have not met the requirement at the time of admission, a condition of their admission would be to complete the course by the start of the first term of registration. This requirement may be fulfilled by completing:

• the certificate version of the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada MOOC within the 5 years preceding the first term of registration; or
• if the above course was completed more than 5 years preceding the first term of registration or is not offered, another course approved by the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology graduate program.

Incoming students must submit a record of completion for the course to the Graduate Program Administrator of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, lmpgrad@ualberta.ca.

For MSc (course-based) with Specialization in Pathologists’ Assistant

The current intake for Year One students is 2.

The Department’s minimum admission requirements are a baccalaureate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

Due to the competitive selection process, limited uptake capabilities in the competency-based practicum rotation through the clinical sites and high Canadian health-care system needs, admission preference will be given to Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada.

Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable:

• internet-based TOEFL score of 95 with at least 21 per section; or
• IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with at least 6.5 on each band; or
• PTE (Academic) score of 65 with a minimum band score of 60; or
• CAEL score of 70 with at least 70 on each subtest.

Applicants must have the following prerequisites: Biology (6 units), Physiology (3 units), Chemistry or Biochemistry (3 units), Human Anatomy (3 units), and Mathematics (3 units) at the postsecondary level and a course in Medical Terminology. It is to the applicant’s advantage to have completed all prerequisite courses within the last 10 years.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Letter of intent
• Two references via the online application system

The application deadline is April 1 for Fall admission.

All students admitted to this program are required to complete a course focused on the histories, experiences, and/or perspective of Indigenous peoples in Canada. This is a program prerequisite. For students who have not met the requirement at the time of admission, a condition of their admission would be to complete the course by the start of the first term of registration. This requirement may be fulfilled by completing:

• the certificate version of the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada MOOC within the 5 years preceding the first term of registration; or
• if the above course was completed more than 5 years preceding the first term of registration or is not offered, another course approved by the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology graduate program.

Incoming students must submit a record of completion for the course to the Graduate Program Administrator of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, lmpgrad@ualberta.ca.

Inquiries regarding these requirements should be directed to the Graduate Program Administrator of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, lmpgrad@ualberta.ca.

For MSc (course-based) with Specialization in Transfusion Science

The current intake for Year One students is 2.

The Department’s minimum admission requirements are a baccalaureate degree with an admission GPA of at least 3.0 on the 4-point scale from the University of Alberta, or an equivalent qualification and standing from a recognized institution. The admission GPA will be calculated on the last 60 units of graded coursework completed, or on the equivalent of the last two years of full-time graded coursework.

Due to the competitive selection process, limited uptake capabilities in the competency-based practicum rotation through the clinical sites and high Canadian health-care system needs, admission preference will be given to Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents of Canada.

Admission preference will be given to applicants holding general certification from the Canadian Society for Medical Laboratory Science (CSMLS) and with a minimum 3 years of work experience in medical laboratory science.

Where applicable, applicants must provide proof of English Language Proficiency (refer to English Language Requirement ). Any one of the following is acceptable:

• internet-based TOEFL score of 95 with at least 21 per section; or
• IELTS (Academic) score of 7.0 with at least 6.5 on each band; or
• PTE (Academic) score of 65 with a minimum band score of 60; or
• CAEL score of 70 with at least 70 on each subtest.

Applicants are required to submit the following:

• Curriculum Vitae or Resume
• Letter of intent
• Two references via the online application system.

The application deadline is April 1 for Fall admission.

All students admitted to this program are required to complete a course focused on the histories, experiences, and/or perspective of Indigenous peoples in Canada. This is a program prerequisite. For students who have not met the requirement at the time of admission, a condition of their admission would be to complete the course by the start of the first term of registration. This requirement may be fulfilled by completing:

• the certificate version of the University of Alberta Indigenous Canada MOOC within the 5 years preceding the first term of registration; or
• if the above course was completed more than 5 years preceding the first term of registration or is not offered, another course approved by the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology graduate program.

Incoming students must submit a record of completion for the course to the Graduate Program Administrator of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, lmpgrad@ualberta.ca.

Inquiries regarding these requirements should be directed to the Graduate Program Administrator of the Department of Laboratory Medicine and Pathology, lmpgrad@ualberta.ca.