MS Cytology at Arizona State University

Programme overview

If you're seeking to advance your current career in the clinical laboratory by becoming a specialist in minimally invasive diagnostic methods, the Master of Science program in cytology is for you. This program's focus on early disease detection and diagnosis is based on the visual analysis of microscopic cellular findings and connecting those findings with the patient's clinical history.

What you will study

44 credit hours and a portfolio Required Core (37 credit hours) BMD 510 Current Perspectives in Biomedical Diagnostics (3) BMD 513 Principles of Diagnostic Technology: Immunoassays (4) BMD 514 Principles of Diagnostic Technology: Molecular Diagnostics (3) BMD 570 General Principles of Cytology and Pathology (3) BMD 571 Microscopic Evaluation (3) BMD 572 Laboratory Operations and Preparation (3) BMD 601 Fine Needle Aspiration Cytology (3) BMD 602 Effusion and Cerebrospinal Fluid Cytology (3) BMD 603 Gastrointestinal Cytology (3) BMD 604 Gynecologic Cytology (3) BMD 605 Pulmonary Cytology (3) BMD 606 Urinary Cytology (3) Other Requirements (7 credit hours) BMD 500 Research Methods (2) BMD 580 Practicum (5) Culminating Experience (0 credit hours) portfolio Additional Curriculum Information The BMD 580 Practicum is a required, in-person, hands-on experience to be conducted at a clinical laboratory under the guidance of an approved supervisor.

Career pathways

Graduates are prepared to become certified cytologists who are competent in the cognitive (knowledge), psychomotor (skills) and affective (behavior) learning domains necessary to enter the profession. They additionally are prepared for a variety of career opportunities in clinical and research settings.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants must fulfill the requirement of both the Graduate College and the College of Health Solutions. Applicants are eligible to apply to the program if they have earned a bachelor's or master's degree in health, STEM or a related field from a regionally accredited institution. Applicants must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in the last 60 hours of their first bachelor's degree program or a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00 (scale is 4.00 = "A") in an applicable master's degree program. Applicants are required to submit: graduate admission application and application fee official transcripts professional resume one reference (academic or professional) statement of purpose proof of employment in a clinical laboratory setting statement of employer support proof of English proficiency Additional Application Information An applicant whose native language is not English must provide proof of English proficiency regardless of current residency. Applicants must be currently employed in a lab setting performing clinical laboratory procedures.

Domestic applicants: USD 13,327 a year (2026-27). Arizona resident tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads Source

International applicants: USD 24,780 a year (2026-27). International tuition. Tuition only for the graduate on-campus (Tempe/Downtown Phoenix/Polytechnic/West Valley) rate band in the ASU tuition estimator, 2026-27: Fall 2026 plus Spring 2027 term tuition summed (full-time flat rate; part-time credit loads ar Source

Entry terms: Fall, Spring and Summer; the terms available for each programme are listed in Degree Search.

Graduate application deadlines are set by each programme office and listed in Degree Search; the application opens almost a year before the start term. The nonrefundable application fee is $75 for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, DACA and international online students outside the U.S., and $120 for international students on a nonimmigrant visa studying in the U.S. Apply with ASU's graduate application (Law applicants use the law college's site); GRE/GMAT requirements vary by programme.

Apply through the official page: https://admission.asu.edu/apply/graduate/admission

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