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About the MLAS Program
The Master of Laboratory Animal Science (MLAS) degree program in the Department of Comparative Medicine is a flexible, one-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, and animal welfare. The MLAS program was approved in perpetuity by Stanford University in the spring of 2018.
The program’s academic courses are designed to build a solid foundation for a successful career in laboratory animal science and biomedical research. Our graduates find employment in pharmaceutical companies, academia or pursue training in Medical or Veterinary schools. The program was designed to give students the ability to customize their academic research experience.
The Master of Laboratory Animal Science degree program may also be taken by Stanford undergraduate students as a coterminal degree program.
The MLAS program’s Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) code is 26.0102.
Degree Requirements
At least 45 units of academic work, all of which must be in courses at or above the 100 level. 36/45 units must be at or above the 200 level.
Students must complete a master's thesis, which may take the following form:
Original analysis of original data.
A comprehensive literature review with a meta-analysis of data or a critical reanalysis of data.
Evaluation of a methodological problem using real data.
A comprehensive literature review with a grant proposal (NIH style format) for a new study to bridge a gap in the existing knowledge.
- As per Stanford policy, the master's degree must be completed within 3 years.
Featured Faculty Advisor
Accepting Students for Autumn 2024 - 2025
Karen J. Parker, PhD
Dr. Parker is Professor and Associate Chair of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences with a courtesy appointment in Comparative Medicine. She also leads Psychiatry’s Major Laboratories Steering Committee. Dr. Parker received her undergraduate and graduate degrees from the University of Michigan. She completed postdoctoral training at Stanford University and joined the Stanford faculty thereafter.
The principal goal of the Parker Lab Social Neurosciences Research Program is to better understand the biological underpinnings of social functioning using an integrative, translational approach. The lab is particularly interested in investigating the roles of oxytocin and arginine vasopressin in animal and human social behavior and whether these neuropeptide signaling pathways are robust biomarkers of, and treatment targets for, social impairments in clinical populations, with a core focus on autism spectrum disorder.
How to Apply
Interested in applying to the MLAS program? Please review the information on How to Apply.
Stanford coterminal degree students may apply for admission for any quarter. Please visit the coterminal page for the application deadlines.
For more information, email compmed-mlas-info@stanford.edu
Master Laboratory Animal Science Program, Department of Comparative Medicine, School of Medicine
Updated September 19, 2023
