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.
The median salary for Biological Scientists is nearly $87,300, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Among the careers open to those with a master’s degree in Biology are educators, environmental consultants, governmental biologist, and doctoral studies, among others.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.”
