
MA Program Information and Admission Requirements
Master of Arts Degree Program
The Master of Arts degree in Biology is for students wishing to gain additional knowledge in any area of the biological sciences. This is a non-thesis master's degree designed for individuals seeking additional background in biology, individuals wishing to strengthen their application to professional school (e.g. medicine, dentistry, Ph.D. programs, etc.) or resume for science-related careers in government or industry, and secondary school science teachers. Students can focus their studies in one of the following concentrations or choose to not declare a concentration and consult with an academic faculty advisor to create an area of specialization.
Graduate Assistantships are NOT available for students enrolled in the MA program.
MA Concentrations include:
- The Self-Guided Biology program (no concentration) allows students to select their area of specialization in consultation with an academic faculty advisor.
- The Biological Data Analytics concentration combines required courses in data analytics and elective options in biology to provide students with the understanding of the type of data collected while conducting biological research and how to analyze it.
- The Cellular and Molecular Biology concentration provides a heavy focus on cell-to-cell interactions and signaling pathways to give students a deep understanding of the cellular and molecular processes that occur within cells and physiological systems.
- The Medical Biology concentration provides students with a deep understanding of physiological systems and the mechanisms that underlie various disorders and disease pathologies.
- The Environmental Biology concentration provides students with a balance between better understanding the relationships between organisms and the environment and how this balance can be sustained through environmental management and conservation.
** We offer rolling admissions into the MA program for Fall, Spring and Summer semesters. **
MA Admission Requirements
- Official Transcripts
- Bachelor’s degree from accredited college/university
- Goal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation (minimum 1)
- CV/Resume
- English Proficiency (if educated outside the United States) or eligible for an English language proficiency waiver. CHECK ELIGIBILITY FOR AN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY WAIVER
Competitive Applicants
- GPA > 2.75 required for unconditional admission
- If you do not meet the minimum GPA requirement (2.75) please talk to us about potential options
- Solid science background with at least 18 credits of Biology
- If you do not have the recommended biology background, please talk to us about potential options.
- Clearly explain why they seek a Master’s in Biology and which concentration they wish to pursue
- Meet English proficiency requirements
- 94 TOEFL-internet
- 587 TOEFL-paper
- 7.0 IELTS
- 82 MELAB
- 65 PTE
- 120 Duolingo English Test (DET)
** Application fee waivers will be available for DOMESTIC applications submitted between October 23 - 30, 2023. **
MA program has continuous enrollment. Click here to apply.
A maximum of 12 semester hours of graduate course work may be accepted by transfer from accredited institutions offering the master’s degree, but the grades will not be calculated into the GPA. The credits will be accepted provided:
1. Graduate credit was received from that institution;
2. The work was of “A” or “B” quality;
3. The work fits into the program;
4. Credit is less than six years old at the time the degree is conferred at Kent;
5. An official transcript with an accompanying explanatory letter is filed in the department;
6. The student’s adviser, department graduate committee and the dean approve.
Graduate Assistantships are NOT available for students enrolled in the MA program.
Students should consult with the MA Coordinator, Dr. Jen Mou (who will serve as their advisor), with any questions. Once admitted Dr. Mou will work with students to structure a course of study applicable to their professional needs, academic training, and interests.
If students have further questions about this program, please contact:
Graduate Office, Biological Sciences
Department of Biological Sciences
Kent State University
Kent, OH 44242
e-mail: bscigrad@kent.edu
Phone: 330-672-2819