MS and PHD Program Information and Admission Requirements

Admissions into the MS/PhD programs are for Fall semester only.

** We are currently accepting applications for the Fall 2023 admission cycle.

MS/PhD Admission Requirements

• Copies of Official Transcripts
• GRE scores  are NOT required
• Bachelor’s degree from accredited college/university
• Personal Statement that clearly explains why the applicant wishes to pursue an advanced degree and describes research experience and interest; statement must include a list of potential faculty mentors
• 3 Letters of Recommendation with minimum one from someone who can comment on research aptitude
• CV/Resume
• English Proficiency (if educated outside the United States)

Competitive Applicants

• GPA average for accepted students 3.5
  • Minimum GPA 2.75 required; however, applicants must demonstrate an ability to maintain a 3.0 GPA in graduate coursework.  Applicants can demonstrate this by meeting one or more of the following conditions:
    • Earned an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution with 3.0 GPA.
    • Completed 9 or more graduate hours in graded coursework at an accredited institution and earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA or above.
    • Earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA in undergraduate courses related to the academic program to which the applicant has applied.
    • Earned a 3.0 cumulative GPA in the last 60 credit hours of completed undergraduate courses.
• Solid science background with a focus in the program  area to which the applicant applied
• Clearly explain in their personal statement why they wish to pursue a MS or PhD in Biology, a description of their research experience and outline their research interests and long-term goals. Students should identify 3-5 faculty who they are interested in working with based on their and the faculty’s research interests. Faculty research interests can be found on the program webpages. 
• Meets English proficiency requirement (or eligible for an English language proficiency waiver). CHECK ELIGIBILITY FOR AN ENGLISH PROFICIENCY WAIVER
  • 94 TOEFL-internet
  • 587 TOEFL-paper
  • 7.0 IELTS
  • 82 MELAB
  • 65 PTE
  • 120 Duolingo English Test (DET)

Click here to apply to our MS/PhD programs.

Admission Timeline for Fall Admission

• Applications begin to be accepted August 8th.
• Application deadline is December 1st.
• Applications reviewed in January. Applications must be complete at time of review for assistantship consideration.
• Top applicants interviewed February-March.
• Final decisions made March-April.

Graduate Assistantships

Admissions into our MS and PhD programs are competitive; thus we do not offer "conditional" admission. These programs are full-time so graduate assistantships are awarded to all admitted MS/PhD students in the form of teaching or research assistantships. Applicants do NOT need to apply separately for an assistantship.

Departmental teaching/research assistantships include:

• A full tuition waiver
• Annual stipend
• Money towards the purchase of health insurance

Additional financial support includes:

• Travel money to conferences
• Graduate Student Senate research awards
• Opportunities to apply for additional graduate student awards/endowments/fellowships

Additional training includes:

• Research Ethics
• Professional Writing Course
• Departmental Seminars Series
• Program Journal Clubs
• Training in use of state-of-the-art equipment and facilities
• Workshops in professional skills and careers