MLASC-MS - Laboratory Animal Science (MS)

Master of Science in Laboratory Animal Science

The Master  of Science (M.S.) in Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) degree program in the Department of Comparative Medicine is a flexible, one- to two-year graduate program designed for students who want to pursue advanced careers in biomedical research, focusing on animal modeling and biomethodology, laboratory animal science, organizational  management and facility design, regulatory and compliance issues, and animal welfare. 

The  program’s academic courses are designed to build a solid foundation for a successful career in laboratory animal science and biomedical research. Graduates find employment in pharmaceutical companies and academia, or pursue advanced degrees or training in medical or veterinary schools. The program is designed to give students the ability to customize their academic research experience.  

The Master of Science in Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) degree program may also be taken by Stanford undergraduates as a coterminal master's degree program.

University requirements for an MS degree are described in the Bulletin.

How to Apply

External Applicants and Current Stanford Graduate Students

Review the information and instructions on the University Graduate Admissions Website. Submit your application online. The link to the online application is on the University Graduate Admissions Website.

Admissions Deadline: Application deadlines are listed on the Laboratory Animal Science webpage. For more information, contact compmed-mlas-info@stanford.edu.

Items which must be included in the online application:

• Completed Online Application Form

• Resume or CV

• Transcript (unofficial transcripts are acceptable)

• GRE is not required

• Statement of Purpose (1-2 pages, 1 inch margins, 12 point font, single-spaced)

  • The statement of purpose should describe succinctly the reasons for applying to the proposed program at Stanford, preparation for this field of study, research interests, future career plans, and other aspects of the student's background and interests which may aid the admissions committee in evaluating aptitude and motivation for graduate study.

• Three letters of recommendation; at least one of the two reference letters should come from a science-related faculty member or professor.

• $125 application fee is assessed by the Registrar at the time of the submission of the application.

Coterminal Applicants

The coterminal degree program allows current Stanford University undergraduates to study for a master's degree while completing their bachelor's degree(s) in the same or a different department. See the Coterminal Degree section of the bulletin for additional information.

• Go to the Stanford Registrar’s Office Applying to Coterm Website.

• Review the eligibility requirements, deadlines, and fees.

• Complete the online Coterm Application.

• $125 application fee is assessed by the Registrar at the time of the submission of the application.

• For additional questions, reach out to Venessa Juarez, Student Services Officer, venessaj@stanford.edu

University Coterminal Requirements

Coterminal master’s degree candidates are expected to complete all master’s degree requirements as described in this bulletin.

After accepting admission to this coterminal master’s degree program, students may request transfer of courses from the undergraduate to the graduate career to satisfy requirements for the master’s degree. Transfer of courses to the graduate career requires review and approval of both the undergraduate and graduate programs on a case by case basis.

In this master’s program, courses taken three quarters prior to the first graduate quarter, or later, are eligible for consideration for transfer to the graduate career. No courses taken prior to the first quarter of the sophomore year may be used to meet master’s degree requirements.

Course transfers are not possible after the bachelor’s degree has been conferred.

The University requires that the graduate advisor be assigned in the student’s first graduate quarter even though the undergraduate career may still be open. The University also requires that the Master’s Degree Program Proposal be completed by the student and approved by the department by the end of the student’s first graduate quarter.

The Department of Comparative Medicine (DCM) is committed to providing academic advising in support of graduate student scholarly and professional development. When most effective, this advising relationship entails collaborative and sustained engagement by both the advisor and the advisee. The Department's Student Services Officer, Tom Albert, also serves as a resource for students and can provide assistance with degree progress, policy requirements, program requirements, and more.

Graduate students are expected to have selected a faculty mentor by their second quarter in the program.

Faculty mentors are expected to meet with graduate students at least once a quarter to discuss and to assist with development of the student’s Individual Development Plans. Additionally, the department encourages advisors and students to meet on a regular basis throughout the year to discuss the student's professional development in key areas such as selecting courses, designing and conducting research, and exploring academic opportunities and professional pathways.

Graduate students are active contributors to the advising relationship. They should proactively seek academic and professional guidance and take responsibility for informing themselves of policies and degree requirements for the M.S. in Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) program.

As a best practice, advising expectations should be periodically discussed and reviewed to ensure mutual understanding. Both the advisor and the advisee are expected to maintain professionalism and integrity.

Academic progress and student completion of program requirements and milestones are monitored by the program director and staff, and are reviewed during the Masters of Laboratory Animal Science Faculty Advisory Committee each quarter. A detailed description of the program's requirements, milestones, and advising expectations (for students and for their advisors) can be found on the program web site.

Graduate students and their faculty mentors are encouraged to collaborate with the department’s student services officer, Tom Albert, for referrals to campus resources, which include Biosci Careers Center, Vaden Health, etc.   

Additionally, the program adheres to the advising guidelines and responsibilities listed by the Office of the Vice Provost for Graduate Education (VPGE) and in the Graduate Academic Policies (GAP), and the Graduate Advising section of this Bulletin.

For more information regarding Graduate Student Advising and Postdoctoral/Resident Mentoring, contact the following people:

• Graduate Student Advising: Venessa Juarez (Student Services Officer), venessaj@stanford.edu

• Program Director: Sherril Green (Comparative Medicine Chair), sherril@stanford.edu.

• Postdoctoral Student/Residents: Megan Albertelli (Laboratory Animal Medicine Residency Director), megan.albertelli@stanford.edu.

• Postdoctoral/Resident: Monika Huss (Resident and Trainee Wellness Advisor), monikag@stanford.edu.

The  program’s academic courses are designed to build a solid foundation for a successful career in laboratory animal science and biomedical research. Graduates find employment in pharmaceutical companies and academia, or pursue advanced degrees or training in medical or veterinary schools. The program is designed to give students the ability to customize their academic research experience.