Biotechnology Degree Programs

MTSBiotechnology

“Cultivate a strong foundation in both biology and engineering, but also appreciate the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Being able to communicate effectively and work with experts from various fields will be key to your success in advancing biotechnological innovations.”

– Keaun Amani, Founder & CEO of Neurosnap Inc.

Ever since the introduction of genetic engineering in the 1970s, biologists have increasingly implemented chemistry, math, and physics to acquire an in-depth knowledge of how living cells create substances at the molecular level. Biotechnology emerged from that research.

Biotechnology uses living systems to create various products that improve the planet’s lives and health. Biotechnologists efficiently manufacture medicine, food, and even fuel, among other products, by manipulating living cells and components of cells.

Thanks to biotechnology, traditional industries such as fermentation and food processing have undergone significant changes in the last few decades. For example, technologies now exist that change how people create and work with antibiotics, hormones, energy and food sources, and waste material processing.

People do not have to look far to see the effects of biotechnology in their everyday lives. It covers numerous disciplines, including biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology. One of the primary use cases for biotechnology is the development of new medications. Other uses include biofuels, modified plants, and the production of chemicals, food, paper, and textiles.

The biotechnology field has many opportunities for specialization, including in the following areas:

Agricultural health: The study of dietary, environmental, genetic, and occupational factors on the health of farmers and others exposed to agricultural chemicals.
Animal health: The research, development, testing, and distribution of preventive products, diagnostic tools, and therapeutic drugs for livestock and pets.
Bioinformatics: The storing, analysis, and management of biological data, specifically regarding drug design and sequence data management.
Environmental science: Using living and organic systems to clean environmental waste, improve industrial processes, and prevent pollution by manufacturing biofuels and bioplastics.
Food science: The study of food’s biological, chemical, and physical aspects to ensure that it is healthy for consumption.
Pharmaceutical sciences: The research, development, testing, and release of new drugs and therapies and the monitoring of existing drugs to ensure effectiveness and safety.
Regulatory affairs: The in-depth understanding of biotechnology product lifecycles and collaboration with businesses and regulators to ensure consumer safety and product quality.

Students and young professionals wishing to join the biotechnology industry have many academic options. Many biotechnology programs in the United States offer the above specialties for aspiring biotechnologists.

Depending on each student’s career path, aspirations, professional experience, academic background, and time commitment, students can choose to enroll in a bachelor’s or master’s program in biotechnology that can be completed online, on-campus, or as a hybrid of both—usually referred to as “blended.” More seasoned professionals can opt for a graduate certificate.

Read on to explore various programs in biotechnology and hear directly from a biotech expert.

Arizona State University

Biochemistry - Medicinal Chemistry (BS)

Biological Sciences - Biomedical Sciences (BS)

Biological Sciences - Genetics, Cell and Developmental Bio (BS)

Clinical Molecular Diagnostics (Grad Cert)

Pharmacology and Toxicology (BS)

Meet the Expert: Keaun Amani, Founder & CEO

Keaun Amani

As the founder and CEO of Neurosnap Inc., a biotech startup focused on merging biology with machine learning, Keaun Amani leads a skilled team of engineers, scientists, and researchers who share a passion for innovation in this emerging field. His career began in software engineering, where he spent nearly a decade specializing in data science, algorithm development, and software design.

Amani later transitioned to synthetic biology, applying computational expertise to tackle biological challenges. Notable achievements include developing algorithms for predicting enzyme stability and genetically engineering plants to glow in the dark. His journey reflects a commitment to challenging the status quo and pushing the boundaries of innovation, a spirit that continues to drive the work at Neurosnap Inc.

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is something most people don’t know about being a biotechnologist?

Amani: One thing most people don’t realize about being a biotechnologist is how much trial and error is involved in the work. It’s not just about following procedures; it’s about navigating the unknown and it often feels like a high-stakes game of educated guesses. Each experiment can be incredibly costly, and the outcome is never guaranteed, making the process akin to gambling in some respects. You’re constantly refining your approach as new data emerges, iterating on hypotheses, and sometimes, despite best efforts, things don’t work out as expected.

Moreover, being a biotechnologist demands a deep integration of biology with engineering principles. While the popular image might be of someone working with cells and organisms, the reality often involves designing and optimizing complex systems like bioreactors or genetic modification platforms. This requires not only an understanding of biological systems but also expertise in chemistry, data science, and, in my case, computational biology.

The field is inherently interdisciplinary, with biotechnologists regularly collaborating with professionals in data science, regulatory affairs, and even economics. The path from a groundbreaking discovery to a market-ready product is fraught with regulatory hurdles, ethical considerations, and market dynamics, which can be as challenging, if not more so, than the scientific research itself.

MedicalTechnologySchools.com: What is one piece of advice you would give to an aspiring biotechnologist?

Amani: One piece of advice I would give to an aspiring biotechnologist is to prioritize networking as early as possible. Biotechnology is a highly collaborative field, and building a strong professional network can open doors to opportunities, knowledge, and mentorship that can significantly accelerate your career. Most major cities and academic institutions host clubs, journal clubs, seminars, and industry events that are perfect for meeting established professionals in both industry and academia. Engage with these communities, attend events, and don’t be afraid to initiate conversations.

Talking to a wide range of people in the field will expose you to diverse expertise and perspectives that you can learn from, helping you to navigate the complexities of biotechnology better. Beyond just technical knowledge, networking will help you understand the broader context of your work, including industry trends, regulatory landscapes, and emerging technologies. These insights are invaluable as you shape your career and make strategic decisions about your professional development.

In addition to networking, embrace the uncertainty of the field. Biotechnology is constantly evolving, and resilience, adaptability, and a problem-solving mindset will be crucial as you face the inevitable challenges and setbacks. Cultivate a strong foundation in both biology and engineering, but also appreciate the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration. Being able to communicate effectively and work with experts from various fields will be key to your success in advancing biotechnological innovations.

List of Biotechnology Schools

Filter by state

School	City	State	Website	Grads (’21)
Seminole State College of Florida	Sanford	Florida	https://www.seminolestate.edu	515
Gaston College	Dallas	North Carolina	https://www.gaston.edu	372
North Carolina State University at Raleigh	Raleigh	North Carolina	https://www.ncsu.edu	124
Northeastern University Professional Programs	Boston	Massachusetts	https://www.northeastern.edu	113
University of Houston	Houston	Texas	https://www.uh.edu	71
California State Polytechnic University-Pomona	Pomona	California	https://www.cpp.edu	59
California State University-San Marcos	San Marcos	California	https://www.csusm.edu	59
University of Alabama at Birmingham	Birmingham	Alabama	https://www.uab.edu	57
University of California-Davis	Davis	California	https://www.ucdavis.edu	50
University of Kentucky	Lexington	Kentucky	https://www.uky.edu	46
University of San Francisco	San Francisco	California	https://www.usfca.edu	39
University of Pennsylvania	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	https://www.upenn.edu	37
Brigham Young University	Provo	Utah	https://www.byu.edu	35
Northwestern University	Evanston	Illinois	https://www.northwestern.edu	35
James Madison University	Harrisonburg	Virginia	https://www.jmu.edu	34
University of Central Florida	Orlando	Florida	https://www.ucf.edu	34
Harvard University	Cambridge	Massachusetts	https://www.harvard.edu	33
New York University	New York	New York	https://www.nyu.edu	32
Rutgers University-New Brunswick	New Brunswick	New Jersey	https://newbrunswick.rutgers.edu	32
Columbia University in the City of New York	New York	New York	https://www.columbia.edu	31
University of California-Irvine	Irvine	California	https://www.uci.edu	31
Georgetown University	Washington	District of Columbia	https://www.georgetown.edu	30
Ivy Tech Community College	Indianapolis	Indiana	https://www.ivytech.edu	30
Southern Oklahoma Technology Center	Ardmore	Oklahoma	https://www.sotech.edu	29
University of Nevada-Reno	Reno	Nevada	https://www.unr.edu	27
California State University-Channel Islands	Camarillo	California	https://www.csuci.edu	26
Syracuse University	Syracuse	New York	https://www.syracuse.edu	25
Rush University	Chicago	Illinois	https://www.rushu.rush.edu	24
Utah Valley University	Orem	Utah	https://www.uvu.edu	24
Rochester Institute of Technology	Rochester	New York	https://www.rit.edu	23
Worcester State University	Worcester	Massachusetts	https://www.worcester.edu	23
University of Georgia	Athens	Georgia	https://www.uga.edu	22
University of Nebraska at Omaha	Omaha	Nebraska	https://www.unomaha.edu	22
Endicott College	Beverly	Massachusetts	https://www.endicott.edu	21
Indiana University-Bloomington	Bloomington	Indiana	https://bloomington.iu.edu	21
University of Illinois Chicago	Chicago	Illinois	https://www.uic.edu	21
Alamance Community College	Graham	North Carolina	https://www.alamancecc.edu	20
University of Puerto Rico-Mayaguez	Mayaguez	Puerto Rico	https://www.uprm.edu/portada	20
Central New Mexico Community College	Albuquerque	New Mexico	https://www.cnm.edu	19
University of Arizona	Tucson	Arizona	https://www.arizona.edu	19
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo	Arecibo	Puerto Rico	https://www.arecibo.inter.edu	18
University of Southern California	Los Angeles	California	https://www.usc.edu	18
Boston University	Boston	Massachusetts	https://www.bu.edu	17
CUNY Borough of Manhattan Community College	New York	New York	https://www.bmcc.cuny.edu	17
Portland Community College	Portland	Oregon	https://www.pcc.edu	17
University at Buffalo	Buffalo	New York	https://www.buffalo.edu	17
University of Delaware	Newark	Delaware	https://www.udel.edu	17
Harrisburg University of Science and Technology	Harrisburg	Pennsylvania	https://www.harrisburgu.edu	16
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Ponce	Ponce	Puerto Rico	https://www.pucpr.edu	16
Pontotoc Technology Center	Ada	Oklahoma	https://www.pontotoctech.edu	16
SUNY College of Agriculture and Technology at Cobleskill	Cobleskill	New York	https://www.cobleskill.edu	16
Valencia College	Orlando	Florida	https://valenciacollege.edu	16
Brown University	Providence	Rhode Island	https://www.brown.edu	15
Forsyth Technical Community College	Winston-Salem	North Carolina	https://www.forsythtech.edu	15
Framingham State University	Framingham	Massachusetts	https://www.framingham.edu	15
SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry	Syracuse	New York	https://www.esf.edu	15
University of Houston-Clear Lake	Houston	Texas	https://www.uhcl.edu	15
University of New Hampshire at Manchester	Manchester	New Hampshire	https://manchester.unh.edu	15
Texas A & M University-College Station	College Station	Texas	https://www.tamu.edu	14
University of Hawaii at Manoa	Honolulu	Hawaii	https://manoa.hawaii.edu	14
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Bayamon	Bayamon	Puerto Rico	https://bayamon.inter.edu	13
Kent State University at Kent	Kent	Ohio	https://www.kent.edu	13
South Dakota School of Mines and Technology	Rapid City	South Dakota	https://www.sdsmt.edu	13
Texas Tech University Health Sciences Center	Lubbock	Texas	https://www.ttuhsc.edu	13
Tulsa Community College	Tulsa	Oklahoma	https://www.tulsacc.edu	13
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Carolina Campus	Carolina	Puerto Rico	https://uagm.edu/es	13
University of Colorado Denver/Anschutz Medical Campus	Denver	Colorado	https://www.ucdenver.edu	13
University of Maryland-Baltimore County	Baltimore	Maryland	https://umbc.edu	13
William Paterson University of New Jersey	Wayne	New Jersey	https://www.wpunj.edu	13
California State University-Long Beach	Long Beach	California	https://www.csulb.edu	12
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Barranquitas	Barranquitas	Puerto Rico	https://www.br.inter.edu	12
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Guayama	Guayama	Puerto Rico	https://www.guayama.inter.edu	12
Southwest Tennessee Community College	Memphis	Tennessee	https://www.southwest.tn.edu	12
The Pennsylvania State University	University Park	Pennsylvania	https://www.psu.edu	12
The University of Texas at Dallas	Richardson	Texas	https://www.utdallas.edu	12
University of Rhode Island	Kingston	Rhode Island	https://www.uri.edu	12
Brandeis University	Waltham	Massachusetts	https://www.brandeis.edu	11
Erie Community College	Buffalo	New York	https://www.ecc.edu	11
Montana State University	Bozeman	Montana	https://www.montana.edu	11
Oregon State University	Corvallis	Oregon	https://oregonstate.edu	11
Roosevelt University	Chicago	Illinois	https://www.roosevelt.edu	11
Azusa Pacific University	Azusa	California	https://www.apu.edu	10
Ball State University	Muncie	Indiana	https://www.bsu.edu	10
CUNY City College	New York	New York	https://www.ccny.cuny.edu	10
Pitt Community College	Winterville	North Carolina	https://pittcc.edu	10
University of South Florida	Tampa	Florida	https://www.usf.edu	10
Bunker Hill Community College	Boston	Massachusetts	https://www.bhcc.mass.edu	9
California State University-Los Angeles	Los Angeles	California	https://www.calstatela.edu	9
Quinsigamond Community College	Worcester	Massachusetts	https://www.qcc.edu	9
Thomas Jefferson University	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	https://www.jefferson.edu	9
East Stroudsburg University of Pennsylvania	East Stroudsburg	Pennsylvania	https://www.esu.edu	8
The University of Texas at San Antonio	San Antonio	Texas	https://www.utsa.edu	8
University of Kansas	Lawrence	Kansas	https://ku.edu	8
West Virginia State University	Institute	West Virginia	https://www.wvstateu.edu	8
Claflin University	Orangeburg	South Carolina	https://www.claflin.edu	7
Community College of Allegheny County	Pittsburgh	Pennsylvania	https://www.ccac.edu	7
CUNY Queensborough Community College	Bayside	New York	https://www.qcc.cuny.edu	7
Kean University	Union	New Jersey	https://www.kean.edu	7
University of Houston-Downtown	Houston	Texas	https://www.uhd.edu	7
Cleveland Community College	Shelby	North Carolina	https://clevelandcc.edu	6
Duquesne University	Pittsburgh	Pennsylvania	https://www.duq.edu	6
Florida Institute of Technology	Melbourne	Florida	https://www.fit.edu	6
Marywood University	Scranton	Pennsylvania	https://www.marywood.edu	6
Middlesex College	Edison	New Jersey	https://middlesexcollege.edu	6
Missouri University of Science and Technology	Rolla	Missouri	https://www.mst.edu	6
Southern Maine Community College	South Portland	Maine	https://www.smccme.edu	6
St. John's University-New York	Queens	New York	https://www.stjohns.edu	6
American University	Washington	District of Columbia	https://www.american.edu	5
California State University-Fresno	Fresno	California	https://www.fresnostate.edu	5
CUNY Kingsborough Community College	Brooklyn	New York	https://www.kbcc.cuny.edu	5
Ferris State University	Big Rapids	Michigan	https://www.ferris.edu	5
Florida Atlantic University	Boca Raton	Florida	https://www.fau.edu	5
Florida Gulf Coast University	Fort Myers	Florida	https://www.fgcu.edu	5
Florida State College at Jacksonville	Jacksonville	Florida	https://www.fscj.edu	5
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Aguadilla	Aguadilla	Puerto Rico	https://aguadilla.inter.edu	5
Kansas State University	Manhattan	Kansas	https://www.k-state.edu	5
Minnesota State University-Mankato	Mankato	Minnesota	https://www.mnsu.edu	5
North Dakota State University-Main Campus	Fargo	North Dakota	https://www.ndsu.edu	5
Purdue University-Main Campus	West Lafayette	Indiana	https://www.purdue.edu	5
Saint Peter's University	Jersey City	New Jersey	https://www.saintpeters.edu	5
Temple University	Philadelphia	Pennsylvania	https://www.temple.edu	5
Auburn University	Auburn	Alabama	https://www.auburn.edu	4
Clarkson University	Potsdam	New York	https://www.clarkson.edu	4
Community College of Rhode Island	Warwick	Rhode Island	https://www.ccri.edu	4
CUNY York College	Jamaica	New York	https://www.york.cuny.edu	4
Fort Valley State University	Fort Valley	Georgia	https://www.fvsu.edu	4
Holyoke Community College	Holyoke	Massachusetts	https://www.hcc.edu	4
Humacao Community College	Humacao	Puerto Rico	https://hccpr.edu	4
Indiana University-Purdue University-Indianapolis	Indianapolis	Indiana	https://www.iupui.edu	4
Montgomery County Community College	Blue Bell	Pennsylvania	https://www.mc3.edu	4
Pontifical Catholic University of Puerto Rico-Arecibo	Arecibo	Puerto Rico	https://arecibo.pucpr.edu	4
Rivier University	Nashua	New Hampshire	https://www.rivier.edu	4
Texas Tech University	Lubbock	Texas	https://www.ttu.edu	4
The Catholic University of America	Washington	District of Columbia	https://www.catholic.edu	4
University of North Florida	Jacksonville	Florida	https://www.unf.edu	4
University of Utah	Salt Lake City	Utah	https://www.utah.edu	4
University of Wisconsin-River Falls	River Falls	Wisconsin	https://www.uwrf.edu	4
Dixie State University	Saint George	Utah	https://utahtech.edu	3
EDP University of Puerto Rico Inc-San Juan	San Juan	Puerto Rico	https://edpuniversity.edu	3
Elizabethtown College	Elizabethtown	Pennsylvania	https://www.etown.edu	3
Florida Southern College	Lakeland	Florida	https://www.flsouthern.edu	3
Liberty University	Lynchburg	Virginia	https://www.liberty.edu	3
North Central State College	Mansfield	Ohio	https://ncstatecollege.edu	3
Northampton County Area Community College	Bethlehem	Pennsylvania	https://www.northampton.edu	3
Northern State University	Aberdeen	South Dakota	https://northern.edu	3
Schenectady County Community College	Schenectady	New York	https://sunysccc.edu	3
State College of Florida-Manatee-Sarasota	Bradenton	Florida	https://www.scf.edu	3
West Texas A & M University	Canyon	Texas	https://www.wtamu.edu	3
Arizona State University Campus Immersion	Tempe	Arizona	https://www.asu.edu	2
Central Baptist College	Conway	Arkansas	https://www.cbc.edu	2
Colorado State University-Fort Collins	Fort Collins	Colorado	https://www.colostate.edu	2
CUNY Bronx Community College	Bronx	New York	https://www.bcc.cuny.edu	2
Eastern Illinois University	Charleston	Illinois	https://www.eiu.edu	2
Grand View University	Des Moines	Iowa	https://www.grandview.edu	2
Inter American University of Puerto Rico-Ponce	Mercedita	Puerto Rico	https://www.ponce.inter.edu	2
Middlesex Community College	Middletown	Connecticut	https://mxcc.edu	2
Mount Wachusett Community College	Gardner	Massachusetts	https://mwcc.edu	2
New York Institute of Technology	Old Westbury	New York	https://www.nyit.edu	2
Palm Beach State College	Lake Worth	Florida	https://www.palmbeachstate.edu	2
Rowan-Cabarrus Community College	Salisbury	North Carolina	https://www.rccc.edu	2
Roxbury Community College	Roxbury Crossing	Massachusetts	https://www.rcc.mass.edu	2
South Dakota State University	Brookings	South Dakota	https://www.sdstate.edu	2
Southern Connecticut State University	New Haven	Connecticut	https://www.southernct.edu	2
Springfield Technical Community College	Springfield	Massachusetts	https://www.stcc.edu	2
Tufts University	Medford	Massachusetts	https://www.tufts.edu	2
Universidad Ana G. Mendez-Gurabo Campus	Gurabo	Puerto Rico	https://uagm.edu/es	2
Universidad del Sagrado Corazon	Santurce	Puerto Rico	https://www.sagrado.edu	2
University of California-Santa Cruz	Santa Cruz	California	https://www.ucsc.edu	2
University of Idaho	Moscow	Idaho	https://www.uidaho.edu	2
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign	Champaign	Illinois	https://illinois.edu	2
University of Massachusetts-Amherst	Amherst	Massachusetts	https://www.umass.edu	2
University of North Carolina at Pembroke	Pembroke	North Carolina	https://www.uncp.edu	2
Upstate Medical University	Syracuse	New York	https://www.upstate.edu	2
Wayne State University	Detroit	Michigan	https://wayne.edu	2
Andrews University	Berrien Springs	Michigan	https://www.andrews.edu	1
Bay Path University	Longmeadow	Massachusetts	https://www.baypath.edu	1
Bucks County Community College	Newtown	Pennsylvania	https://www.bucks.edu	1
Capital Community College	Hartford	Connecticut	https://www.capitalcc.edu	1
Hillsborough Community College	Tampa	Florida	https://www.hccfl.edu	1
Lansing Community College	Lansing	Michigan	https://www.lcc.edu	1
New Mexico Institute of Mining and Technology	Socorro	New Mexico	https://www.nmt.edu	1
Salem State University	Salem	Massachusetts	https://www.salemstate.edu	1
Southern State Community College	Hillsboro	Ohio	https://www.sscc.edu	1
The University of Texas at Tyler	Tyler	Texas	https://www.uttyler.edu	1
University of Alabama in Huntsville	Huntsville	Alabama	https://www.uah.edu	1
University of Michigan-Ann Arbor	Ann Arbor	Michigan	https://umich.edu	1
University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point	Stevens Point	Wisconsin	https://www.uwsp.edu	1
Ursuline College	Pepper Pike	Ohio	https://www.ursuline.edu	1
Wilson Community College	Wilson	North Carolina	https://www.wilsoncc.edu	1

’20-’21 School Data from IPEDS (Sourced in September, 2023)

Admissions Requirements to Biotechnology Programs

The specific admissions requirements for prospective students depend on the school and the degree they decide to pursue. That said, there are some common requirements across all programs, such as:

A minimum grade point average, typically 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
Submission of official transcripts from previous colleges
Letter(s) of recommendation
A personal statement describing the reason for pursuing the specific degree
Professional resume
Completion of prerequisite courses or an undergraduate degree in a relevant field
Application fee
English language proficiency and Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) for international students

On-Campus Biotechnology Bachelor’s Degree Programs

University of Kansas

This bachelor’s degree program is specifically designed for people who have completed an associate’s degree or the equivalent of two years of undergraduate coursework. Emphasizing practical application and critical thinking, the program’s hands-on curriculum includes a six-credit internship within industry or academia.

This 120-credit program includes 37 credits of general science classes, nine credits of applied science core classes, 36 credits of biotechnology courses, 24 credits of KU Core courses not covered by major requirements, and 14 credits of open electives. Examples of coursework for the general science requirements include foundational chemistry; organic chemistry; physics; principles of molecular & cell biology; principles of organismal biology; and genetics.

Core courses that students can expect to complete include science communications; elementary statistics or biostatistics; and a survey of management. For the biotechnology requirements, typical courses include applied immunology; biotechnology ethics and responsible conduct of research; molecular & microbial techniques; and bioinformatics.

Location: Overland Park, KS
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: Four years

Arizona State University

The biosciences and biotechnology program at ASU prepares students for exciting careers in agriculture, healthcare, and other industries. This degree differs from others in its intense focus on biotechnology and molecular biology. Additionally, students will complete many hours of hands-on research as a final Capstone project.

Earning the degree requires a minimum of 120 credits, 45 of which must be upper-division and 30 of which students must complete at Arizona State University. Students must complete courses to earn a bachelor’s degree in biotechnology, include genetic engineering, the biology of microorganisms, organic chemistry, calculus for life sciences, and statistics for life science. The school also offers an accelerated degree option for interested students.

Graduates will be prepared for several positions, such as bioinformatics scientists, bioinformatics technicians, biological sciences professors, clinical trial managers, geneticists, health sciences managers, hydrogeologists, medical scientists, molecular biologists, and nanosystems engineers.

Location: Tempe, AZ
Accreditation: Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Expected Time to Completion: Four years

Liberty University

Liberty University offers a bachelor of science program in biotechnology that is packed with the courses and laboratory experience required by students to pursue their careers directly after graduation or attending the medical school of their choice. Nearly all chemistry and biology courses have labs associated with them. This means that students will get hands-on experience in their classes, which will be essential to their future in laboratory work or medical school.

This 120-credit program includes courses in biochemistry; general biology; genetics; microbiology; cell biology; molecular techniques; organic chemistry; analytical chemistry; and origins.

Graduates will be ready to take up positions such as biomedical laboratory supervisors, college professors or researchers, industrial laboratory technicians, laboratory research assistants, pharmacists, and physicians.

Location: Lynchburg, VA
Accreditation: Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Expected Time to Completion: Four years

Online Biotechnology Bachelor’s Degree Programs

University of Maryland Global Campus

Students who enroll in this program must already have technical knowledge of biotechnology through direct field experience, transfer credits, or both. This bachelor’s degree combines laboratory work, applied coursework, and an internship. The degree requires the completion of 120 credits, which includes 36 credits of major coursework, 43 credits of electives, and 41 credits of general education requirements.

Students should expect to take biological sciences; cellular and molecular biology; bioinformatics; laboratory safety and management; workplace learning in biology; and current applications and trends in the life sciences in the core portion of the program. Options for elective classes include biotechnology, biochemistry, chemistry, cell biology, immunology, genetics, molecular biology, microbiology, and physics.

Location: Largo, MD
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: Two to four years

On-Campus Biotechnology Master’s Degree Programs

Columbia University

This master’s program is particularly appropriate for those who wish to pursue a career in either the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry. Recent graduates of the program hold positions in research laboratories, drug approval regulations, and law firms specializing in biotechnology. Students often choose this program as an alternative to spending up to seven years to earn a doctorate. Because the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries are among the largest in the country, the demand for professionals with this specialized training continues to grow.

Core courses in this 30-credit program include biotechnology, drugs and disease, and a seminar in biotechnology. Students also complete an intensive laboratory course in biotechnology which provides them with hands-on experience in biotechnology methods. The school requires 15 credits of electives, which include entrepreneurship in biotechnology; molecular biology of cancer; biotechnology law; cellular neurobiology; genetics; systems neurobiology; cell biology; immunology; and molecular biology.

Location: New York, NY
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: Full-time students (one year); part-time study is also available

New York University

In response to the explosive growth of the biotechnology industry, the Tandon School of Engineering has created a master’s degree program that prepares students for careers in drug design, healthcare biotechnology, and more.

The program requires the completion of 30 credits and includes 15 credits of core courses in biotechnology and the pharmaceutical industry; biotechnology and health care; biosensors and biochips; biocatalysis in the industry; and protein engineering. Additionally, students will be required to take nine to fifteen credits of electives in bioanalytical chemistry; biochemistry; drug delivery; genetic engineering; neuroscience, and six credits from two elective courses in guided studies in biotechnology.

Students must earn at least a 3.0 grade point average in all courses to graduate. The school also offers a dual biotechnology and entrepreneurship master’s program for biotechnologists interested in creating and growing a business.

Location: Brooklyn, NY
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years

Online Biotechnology Master’s Degree Programs

Johns Hopkins University

As a leading research university, Johns Hopkins offers a 10-course biotechnology master’s degree program that provides students with a strong background in biochemistry, cell biology, genomics, molecular biology, and proteomics. Students can choose from six concentrations: biodefense, bioinformatics, biotechnology enterprise, regenerative and stem cell technologies, regulatory affairs, and drug discoveries.

All students complete four core courses in biochemistry; molecular biology; advanced cell biology; and cellular signal transduction, then six electives according to their concentration. The program comprises 40 credits.

Location: Baltimore, MD
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: One to two years; both full-time and part-time available

Worcester Polytechnic Institute (Hybrid)

This is a blended 30-credit program that requires online coursework and on-site laboratory work at the school’s campus in Worcester, Massachusetts. Students complete several skill-based biology and biotechnology courses, including fermentation biology; protein purification; cell biology; genetic engineering; and bioinformatics. They also complete two chemistry electives—in drug regulations and membrane protein-targeted drug design—and several business electives.

Examples of business electives include managing technical innovation, entrepreneurship, and project management. Students must take 15 credits of biology and biotechnology courses, nine credits of skills-based courses, and six credits of elective courses. Before enrolling in this program, they must also possess an undergraduate degree in engineering or life sciences.

Location: Worcester, MA
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years

Northeastern University

Northeastern University’s MS in biotechnology is an innovative, non-thesis graduate degree that combines advanced interdisciplinary training in biology, biotechnology, pharmaceutical sciences, and chemistry. Graduates are prepared to collaborate, lead, and innovate as managerial, technical, or research professionals in various biotechnology specialties. The program offers students the opportunity to pursue one of the ten available concentrations for furthering their knowledge in a specific topical area of the field.

Concentration options include agricultural biotechnology; biodefense; biopharmaceutical analytical sciences; biotechnology enterprise; biotechnology regulatory science; manufacturing and quality operations; molecular biotechnology; pharmaceutical technologies; process science; and scientific information management. Some concentrations require a two-week Boston residency.

The program’s core courses consist of 34 credits, including molecular cell biology for biotechnology; foundations in biotechnology; the biotechnology enterprise; scientific information management for biotechnology managers; cell culture processes for biopharmaceutical production; experimental design and biostatistics; and protein chemistry.

Location: Boston, MA
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Expected Time to Completion: Two to three years

Other On-Campus Biotechnology Programs

Salt Lake Community College

This school’s associate degree in science in biotechnology prepares students for entry-level or mid-career level work in the field. The degree requires a minimum of 61 credits. Courses are taught by faculty members with extensive experience in research settings.

Examples of courses include an introduction to biotechnology and lab; applied molecular biology; biomolecular separation and analysis; college biology; cell culture; advanced molecular methods; and two sessions of general chemistry with labs. Students also choose three elective credits, such as microbiology; statistics for applied science; and organic chemistry. Salt Lake Community College also offers a 16-credit certificate of proficiency in biotechnology. The certificate of proficiency stacks fully into the AS degree in biotechnology.

Location: Salt Lake City, UT
Accreditation: Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Expected Time to Completion: Two years if full-time

University of Maryland Baltimore County

In addition to its master’s program, the University of Maryland Baltimore County offers certificate programs in biotechnology management and biochemical regulatory engineering. Each certificate requires the completion of 12 credits.

The certificate in biotechnology management requires students to complete four three-credit courses. These include project management fundamentals; business principles of the biotechnology industry; legal & ethical issues in the science professions; and management, leadership, and communication.

The four three-credit courses for the certificate in biochemical regulatory engineering include regulatory issues in biotechnology; good manufacturing practices for bioprocess; quality control and quality assurance for biotechnology products; and biotechnology GMP facility design, construction, and validation.

Location: Baltimore, MD
Accreditation: Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
Expected Time to Completion: One year part-time

Other Online Biotechnology Programs

Northeastern University

The biotechnology graduate certificate at Northeastern University requires the completion of four three-credit courses. These include molecular cell biology for biotechnology; foundations in biotechnology; cell culture processes for biopharmaceutical production; and protein chemistry. The certificate was designed in response to the growing need in the biotechnology industry for students without a biotechnology background looking to gain a strong foundation in basic biotechnology skills and concepts.

Available both part-time and full-time, this graduate certificate can serve as a gateway to the MS in biotechnology program. The program comprises 12 credits.

Location: Boston, MA
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Expected Time to Completion: One year

Harvard University Extension School (Hybrid)

This hybrid graduate program requires the completion of 12 courses, two or more of which must be completed on campus. Students can choose electives relevant to their certificate topic or a second graduate credential, including bioinformatics, biotechnology management, innovation and entrepreneurship, and project management.

The bioinformatics certificate teaches students to work with genetic and biological data in various contexts. The biotechnology management certificate introduces the business side of biotechnology. The innovation and entrepreneur certificate focuses on these topics relating to biotechnology and the project management certificate focuses on technical and business management skills. Students can also choose a thesis or capstone track as they complete their courses.

Location: Cambridge, MA
Accreditation: New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Expected Time to Completion: One to two years

Accreditation and State Authorization for Online Programs

When selecting a school, it is important for students to ensure that it has received outside accreditation. This means that a third-party organization has reviewed the college, its programs, admissions process, job placement rate, and several other factors and determined that all meet high standards. A school can earn regional accreditation for the entire campus or separate accreditation for various programs. The most reputable regional accrediting bodies include:

New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education
New England Association of Colleges and Schools
North Central Association of Colleges and Schools
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC)

Finally, another essential component prospective students should be aware of is whether an online school located in a different state has received authorization to offer degrees to out-of-state students. The formal term for this is “state authorization.” Since each state reaches separate agreements with other states, programs may not be available to students in all locations. It’s also common for tuition to cost more for out-of-state students as opposed to in-state students.

Rachel Drummond, MEd

Writer

Rachel Drummond has contributed insightful articles to MedicalTechnologySchools.com since 2019, where she offers valuable advice and guidance for those pursuing careers in the healthcare field, combining her passion for education with her understanding of the critical role that healthcare professionals play in promoting physical and mental well-being.

Rachel is a writer, educator, and coach from Oregon. She has a master’s degree in education (MEd) and has over 15 years of experience teaching English, public speaking, and mindfulness to international audiences in the United States, Japan, and Spain. She writes about the mind-body benefits of contemplative movement practices like yoga on her blog, inviting people to prioritize their unique version of well-being and empowering everyone to live healthier and more balanced lives.

Farheen Gani

Writer

Farheen Gani has immense knowledge about medical technology schools, having researched topics such as medical billing and coding, health information management, nursing informatics, and biotechnology degree programs since 2018. She is a freelance writer, marketer, and researcher. She writes about healthcare, technology, education, and marketing. Her work has appeared on websites such as Tech in Asia and Foundr, as well as top SaaS blogs such as Zapier and InVision. You can connect with her on LinkedIn and Twitter (@FarheenGani).