Online Master’s in Biotechnology Programs

We may not be advanced enough to build a real-life Jurassic Park yet, but biotechnology is still one of the most intriguing fields of today’s scientific world.

Cell therapies that can reprogram a person’s cells inside their own body and human gut microbes capable of improving health are among the most anticipated breakthroughs. Many of the workers involved in these areas have degrees like an online master’s in biotechnology.

Explore this page to find out more about online master’s in biotechnology programs, which biotechnology careers are in demand, and how much you can expect to earn after graduation.

Biotechnology combines biology and technology to develop or create new products and services to benefit humanity. It’s also an intersection of many disciplines, including medicine, agriculture, and genetic technology.

An online master’s in biotechnology is a flexible way to pursue careers in areas like food safety, environmental conservation, and biodefense. Many online programs offer customizable schedules that allow students to balance work and school.

Most degrees require 30-45 credits and take at least two years to complete. Many factors affect the path to completion, however. Some schools require cohorts in which a group of students enters together and takes all courses in lockstep.

While these programs make course planning and consistency easy, they may lengthen degree completion times. Other schools maintain generous transfer credit policies, which can shorten a student’s time to completion.

Some schools require online students to take labs or bootcamps in which they visit campus and delve into actionable, real-world biotechnology alongside their peers in the program. Other schools allow distance education learners to complete the program entirely from home.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the demand for biotech workers is high. The BLS projects jobs for life, physical, and social science roles, which includes biotechnology, to grow faster than the average for all professions from 2022-2032. The fastest-growing biotechnology jobs include medical scientists, biochemists, and biophysicists.

Job options with a master’s in biotechnology are diverse. Biotechnology jobs at the master’s degree level include plant breeder, biomedical engineer, and clinical research coordinator. Scientists and nonscientists can work in areas like medical research, agricultural development, and biotechnology production.

These professionals conduct experiments and analyze the results to advance the body of knowledge regarding the physical and chemical principles of biological processes and living things. Most biochemists and biophysicists need a doctoral degree, but a master’s in biotechnology can serve as the academic foundation for the doctorate.

Biomedical engineers solve engineering problems and develop new technology for improving human health. A biomedical engineer works with healthcare devices, equipment, software, and computer systems. For example, biomedical engineers sometimes build artificial body parts or rehabilitative exercise equipment. Other focus areas include bioinstrumentation, biomechanics, biomaterials, and rehabilitation engineering.

Agricultural and food scientists modify and improve crops, animals, and food using biotechnology. Scientists working with crops may cross-breed plants to produce superior genes. Agricultural scientists might develop tests and antibodies for animals to avoid ailments. Many agricultural and food scientists have a master’s or doctoral degree.

Medical scientists work in schools and research and development centers to conduct clinical trials and other research that results in findings that improve overall human health. Most medical scientists must have a Ph.D. in biology or a related field. But, a master’s degree in related fields like biotechnology or biology and work experience may qualify you for some roles.

Serving primarily in manufacturing centers, the federal government, and research and development institutions, natural sciences managers oversee scientists who perform research, development, quality control, testing, and production activities. People in this field often blend a background in management with knowledge of and experience in the natural sciences.

Costs vary, but a master’s degree is usually a big investment. Most master’s programs cost over $57,000, according to BestColleges research. In 2020, an online-only graduate degree in science, engineering, and math cost $12,217 in average annual tuition and fees, National Center for Education Statistics data shows.

Many students combine funding from different sources to meet the gap between what they owe and what they can afford. Federal aid, scholarships, and fellowships are among the most common ways to help pay for a master’s degree in biotechnology. Some funding is also available for certain groups of students, such as women or those belonging to minority groups.

The best online biotechnology master’s programs hold regional accreditation with the appropriate agency along with programmatic accreditation from a reputable organization such as the Accreditation Board for Engineering and Technology or the American Society for Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.

Along with accreditation, top schools offer a multidisciplinary curriculum that blends research and innovation with the latest trends and discoveries in biotechnology. Courses should draw from molecular biology, genomics, cell biology, biochemistry, and proteomics. In the best programs, students take both traditional courses and labs.

A hallmark of any great academic program is the quality of the faculty. While online faculty members may not be the same people as their on-campus counterparts, they need to hold equivalent academic qualifications.

Usually, that means a Ph.D. from a top program, a background in research, and extensive teaching and publication credits. Prospective students should pay careful attention to graduation rates. A low rate may signal a degree program without adequate support for students.

Professional organizations offer skills development, connect you with top professionals, and enhance your business profile. The biotechnology field has many professional organizations, including: