Biotechnology enterprises benefit from leaders who are skilled in the life sciences—and have strong business acumen. Aspiring biotech entrepreneurs need a solid understanding of intellectual property and law.
From the lab to leadership.
Biotechnology, research, and medical professionals with a desire to expand their careers into biotech leadership or entrepreneurship can develop the necessary business skills and industry knowledge in the Johns Hopkins Master of Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship (MBEE).
The online master’s degree in biotechnology prepares you to lead an enterprise – or start your own – by exploring business topics through a biotech lens:
Available 100% online, this program was designed to be completed with minimal disruption to your existing career. In addition to a flexible class format and timeline, you also have the flexibility to choose electives that match your interests.
During your master’s program, you’ll take expert-led courses to develop in-depth knowledge and skills in business strategy, marketing, financial decision-making, technology commercialization, and project planning within the biotechnology sector.
You’ll examine how organizations evaluate market opportunities, differentiate products, plan research and development, and determine the commercial potential of a scientific innovation.
The field also requires an understanding of intellectual property and regulatory considerations. A promising new technology must be evaluated not only for its scientific merit but also for its development costs, potential market, competitive position, and route to commercialization. You’ll learn to communicate across disciplines to bring scientific, financial, legal, regulatory, and marketing perspectives into business decisions.
Below are a few examples of biotechnology enterprise and entrepreneurship master’s courses that you can take as part of our program. These courses will help you gain the skills you need to advance in your career and improve your abilities. As part of the program, you will be expected to take required core classes as well as choose from relevant electives to complete your degree.
Biotechnology offers diverse career opportunities ranging from agriculture to healthcare to national security. A master’s in biotechnology can advance your career, allow you to explore new fields, and make a positive impact on the world.
Johns Hopkins is the best university for anyone who wants to enter this field. I enjoyed learning how to create the future of medicine.
Many of our biotechnology faculty members have law degrees or doctorates in a variety of life sciences fields. They’re widely published in academic and scientific journals, and they’ve written textbooks and consulted biotech startups.
In the biotech core, you will hone management, leadership, and marketing skills, as well as gain knowledge of regulations, licensing, and funding. Choose from a range of health and lab science electives or even a concentration in regulatory affairs.
When you enroll in Johns Hopkins’ biotechnology enterprise program, you’ll join an international community of scientists and innovators making a difference around the globe.
Work with industry professionals at an existing or startup biotechnology enterprise or nonprofit organization. We offer an interactive practicum class where you’ll form project teams with your classmates to solve real-world business problems.
Pursue leadership roles in the biotechnology industry, or prepare for your own entrepreneurial endeavor.
Johns Hopkins University’s Master of Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship program is a 10-course, 40-credit STEM-certified professional master’s degree program – often completed within 20-36 months, though students have up to seven years for degree completion. Courses are offered 100 percent online.
The admissions criteria for the Master of Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship program includes a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited U.S. college or university, or an equivalent international credential, with a minimum grade point average of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale. Additionally, this program requires certain prerequisite courses. The application can be completed online and requires supporting materials, including resume, transcripts, and more.
Tuition and fees for the MS in Biotechnology program currently are $58,400 USD. The cost per course is $5,740. Students may be eligible to access federal loans, employer tuition assistance, military and veterans benefits, or partner-organization benefits to offset the cost of the degree. Learn more about financial aid options.
Students looking to blend the complexities of science with innovation/commercialization in the Master of Biotechnology Enterprise and Entrepreneurship program are required to complete seven required cores and three electives. Students can choose to pursue an optional area of concentration in Biotechnology Legal/ Regulatory to gain an understanding of the federal and state regulatory statues for the development, approval, and commercialization of drugs, biologics, foods, and medical devices.
Yes. Students work to address an authentic issue from a local public or private bioscience company, an entrepreneurial startup, or a nonprofit organization as part of the practicum.
Relevant career paths depend on prior scientific, commercial, or management experience. Examples include:
This degree is an excellent choice for professionals seeking to move from laboratory, research, or technical work toward business operations, commercialization, or leadership. It also supports professionals who work with startup companies or research institutions to evaluate discoveries for potential licensing or market development. Senior management and founder roles typically require additional industry knowledge, experience, or access to relevant business and research networks.
Graduates may pursue opportunities in:
Opportunities also exist in organizations that support innovation, licensing, investment, and product development.
The work differs from that of a primarily laboratory-focused biotechnology professional. A commercialization specialist, for example, might assess whether a research discovery is ready for licensing, while a product manager evaluates customer needs and market positioning. A business development professional may assess partnerships or acquisition opportunities. All of these still require an in-depth understanding of biotechnology, but the central responsibilities involve evaluating and advancing business opportunities.