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Students
Tuition Fee
Start Date
Medium of studying
Duration
Program Facts
Program Details
Degree
Masters
Major
Biology | Biotechnology | Ecology
Area of study
Natural Science
Course Language
English
About Program

Program Overview


Master in Biology Programs

Prepare for a Rewarding Science Career

A master’s degree in Biology can represent an important step toward a career in a science-related field. John Carroll University’s Master of Arts (M.A.) and Master of Science (M.S.) programs in Biology offer opportunities to complete an advanced degree through contextual coursework, gain hands-on experience, and acquire essential research and quantitative skills as well as data analysis techniques.


The Next Step on a Variety of Career Paths

A JCU Master’s degree in Biology will prepare you for what’s next, whether you aspire to enter a biology-related field, attend medical school, or pursue a Ph.D. upon graduation.


Two Degree Options to Target Your Specific Goals

The M.A. in Biology program is ideal for those preparing for a position in education or other graduate or professional programs, such as medical or dental school. The M.S. in Biology program, which requires the completion of an in-depth research thesis, prepares students for a variety of field-relevant careers, such as educators, environmental consultants, and governmental biologists, as well as doctoral studies in a variety of biological disciplines.


Opportunities to Defray Tuition Costs

Students accepted into the M.S. in Biology program have the opportunity to cover their JCU tuition by working as Graduate Teaching Assistants.


Learn from Experts in the Field

JCU Biology faculty include published experts with a wide range of specializations with strong local and global ties. Faculty work with colleagues throughout the U.S. and internationally, including Brazil, Mexico, Colombia, Costa Rica, Panama, Czech Republic, Spain, and numerous other countries.


Admission Requirements & Deadlines

  • Successful completion of an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution.
  • This program has no set submission deadline. Applications are considered on a rolling basis upon completion. Admission decisions will be made based on space in the program.
  • No GRE Required

Application Materials

  • Online Application
  • Official Transcript(s)
  • 2 Letters of Recommendation
  • Statement of Purpose
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • No GRE Required

Cost & Aid

  • Tuition is charged at the College of Arts and Sciences rate
  • Degree-seeking students eligible for federal student loans. For information about the loan process, contact Student Enrollment and Financial Services.
  • A limited number of graduate assistantships provide a tuition waiver for up to 15 credit hours per year plus a stipend. Students are expected to spend 20 hours per week working for the department.

High Earning Potential

The median salary for Biological Scientists is nearly $87,300, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.


Multiple Career Options

Among the careers open to those with a master’s degree in Biology are educators, environmental consultants, governmental biologist, and doctoral studies, among others.


Build Your Network

Students, especially those in the M.S. program, work closely with department faculty on research and have opportunities to pursue research and job opportunities with local employers.


How John Carroll University Elevates Your Career

  • JCU Is Where You Need to Be
  • Career and Research Opportunities
  • Develop Your Research and Classroom Skills

Located in Cleveland, John Carroll University is a private, Jesuit Catholic university that welcomes students of all backgrounds.


JCU offers collaborations with numerous renowned biology-focused institutions including the Cleveland Museum of Natural History, Holden Arboretum, Cleveland Metroparks Zoo, and many of the nation’s top healthcare systems.


Students enrolled in the M.S. in Biology program work closely with a faculty advisor to complete a personalized independent research project and thesis. They also gain teaching experience as a Graduate Teaching Assistant.


Curriculum Highlights

BL 4060 Tropical Field Biology

Introduces students to the biology and ecology of the tropics, with an emphasis on tropical field research. Students gain first hand experiences with the design, implementation, and presentation of group research projects during an immersive research trip to a tropical rainforest in Costa Rica over Spring Break.


BL 5170 Introduction to Geographic Information Systems

Introduces analysis of spatial data using ArcGIS software. Students gain hands-on experience with a variety of analytical techniques and spatial data types and apply their skills to investigate environmental and social problems.


BL 5600 Experimental Design & Analysis

Explore the design and analysis of biological experiments, emphasizing strengths and weaknesses of various approaches. Both univariate and multivariate methods are addressed. Emphasizes the proper selection and application of statistical tests.


Start Your Biology Career at JCU

About the Programs

Nationally Ranked

Prepare for a Variety of Careers

JCU’s Master’s degree programs in Biology are delivered in-person and include the following specific requirements:


M.A. in Biology Program

  • Requires 30 graduate-level credit hours.
  • Degree requirements include coursework and passing a comprehensive exam.
  • Students may petition to take up to 8 credit hours of biology-related courses from other JCU departments.

M.S. in Biology Program

  • Requires 30 graduate-level credit hours, including the Biology Seminar.
  • Degree requirements include coursework, preparing a research thesis proposal (1 credit), passing a comprehensive exam, and completing a research thesis (5 credits).
  • Students may petition to take up to 8 credit hours of biology-related courses from other JCU departments.

BEST REGIONAL UNIVERSITIES MIDWEST RANKINGS

#2 U.S. News and World Report


BEST COLLEGE VALUE

Kiplinger’s Personal Finance


  • Medical School
  • Ph.D. Program
  • Post-Secondary Education
  • Secondary Education
  • Research Coordinator
  • Field Biologist
  • Healthcare
  • Pharmacist
  • Zoology

Emily Staufer (currently Villanueva), ’22

Assistant Editor of Life Sciences, Merriam Webster


"The faculty at John Carroll constantly encouraged me to pursue my own research interests within the greater context and framework of their courses in a way that made my coursework feel personal. By sharing their academic passions, my professors in turn made me feel passionate about my own work. And by sharing all aspects of the scientific process- from reading journal articles to data collection to collaborative article writing and editing- I was shown the many ways one can be involved in the research and science community, which opened the door for me in my current career.”


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JCU provides you a formative way forward to become an inspired leader with the knowledge, character, and heart to serve the greater good.

Services

Student services

The Center for Service and Social Action offers many great ways for students to get involved.

CSSA sponsors an average of 120 weekly service activities throughout the Cleveland community each semester.  

Housing services

Welcome! Our staff is committed to helping you succeed at JCU. We can tell you about University resources that may be available to you, and help you determine if you are eligible for services from our office. SAS provides services to students currently enrolled at the University. In order to qualify for services, a student must send us general information as well as disability documentation from a healthcare professional. For details, see the links below. 

Library services

The mission of Grasselli Library & Breen Learning Center is to support the teaching and research needs of our community, collaborate with our campus partners, provide the best possible access to information, and be an intellectual and cultural resource to our community. 

Medical services

The Student Health and Wellness Center provides the John Carroll University community with a comprehensive approach to optimum health and wellness. This is achieved by encouraging skill-building and individual capacities in each unique student while recognizing the impact of social and environmental conditions. 

Student Life

Campus life

Click Here to access a Self-Guided Campus Walking Tour brochure of the beautiful 60 acre John Carroll University campus located in University Heights, Ohio. The brochure includes a map and descriptions of a number of notable stops along an approximate 1 mile walking route on interior of campus. 

Sports facilities

Athletic facilities at John Carroll University are some of the finest in the Ohio Athletic Conference. It starts with Don Shula Stadium at Wasmer Field, home to JCU football, soccer and track & field. In 2001, construction began on this outdoor facility to transform it to Don Shula Stadium, in honor of the John Carroll graduate who is the National Football League's all-time winningest head coach. 

The stadium has a new playing surface (AstroPlay brand artificial grass), and features brand new locker room facilities, grandstands on both home and visitor sides, offices, a memoribilia room, and a press box for both football and baseball. 

Student clubs

Student Organizations are a great way to get involved on campus within your particular area of interest. At John Carroll University we have student organizations representing a variety of interests and categories such as : service, social, fraternities/sororities, cultural, academic and more! Check out the list of Student Organizationsand contact the president to get more involved. 

Accreditation

John Carroll University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission, a regional accreditation agency recognized by the U.S. Department of Education.  CLICK HERE for more information about the 2019 visit preparations. 

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