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Master's in Biotechnology (MS)
MS in Biotechnology Program Overview
Life sciences. Technology. Business.
Biotechnology is about making discoveries that make the world a better place, and about bringing those concepts to life… and into the market. Spanning industries, including pharmaceuticals, agriculture, healthcare, environment, energy, national security, biotechnology covers roles from the R&D lab, product development, and manufacturing to sales, marketing, finance, and law.
This robust graduate program at Johns Hopkins University offers concentrations and elective courses that result in a degree designed to fit your career aspirations.
Study on Your Terms
Designed for both part-time and full-time students, this biotechnology master’s program offers you the flexibility to take classes online or on-campus in the evenings and on weekends.
Biotechnology Master’s Student Outcomes
Core Biotechnology Skills Gained in this Program
A master’s degree in biotechnology helps you build knowledge and skills that connect scientific discovery with practical applications in areas such as research, product development, regulatory affairs, and biotechnology management. Through focused coursework and elective options, you’ll develop expertise in areas including molecular biology, bioinformatics, drug discovery, regenerative technologies, and biotechnology enterprise. Biotechnology professionals must understand both the scientific foundations behind innovations and the processes required to move those innovations from the laboratory into real-world applications.
You’ll also develop analytical, research, and communication abilities that support collaboration across scientific, business, and regulatory teams. These are valuable skills as biotechnology organizations increasingly rely on professionals who can interpret complex scientific information, evaluate emerging technologies, and contribute to decisions involving research, commercialization, and public health.
Biotechnology Master’s Courses
Below are a few example biotechnology master’s courses that you can take as part of our biotechnology master’s program. These courses will help you gain the skills you need to advance in your career and improve your abilities. The example courses below are a mix of core and elective courses that are part of the program. As part of the program, you will be required to take required core classes as well as chosen electives to complete your degree.
- Advanced Cell Biology
- Emerging Applications in Biotechnology
- Artificial Intelligence and Laboratory Automation in Biotechnology
- Food and Drug Law
- Biological & Chemical Threat Response & Forensics
Explore the MS in Biotechnology Program
In-Depth Article
Biotechnology Master’s Degree: Career Opportunities & Paths
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.
Upcoming Master’s in Biotechnology Events
Robin Odom ’09, MS in Biotechnology Infection Control Consultant at National Institutes of HealthThe program provided a solid foundation in biodefense, both from a historical and present-day perspective and has proved invaluable to me in my current position.
Biotechnology News
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Prepare yourself with the latest knowledge and experiences to excel across the greater biotechnology industry.
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Why to Pursue an MS in Biotechnology at Hopkins
Learn From Leading Researchers
Exciting things are happening in the biotechnology labs at Johns Hopkins. You’ll learn from experts who are actively researching, making discoveries, and publishing in an evolving field.
Explore Concentrations and Courses
Customize your program with electives based on your professional and scientific interests. You may also concentrate in one of six areas, including biodefense, regulatory affairs, or drug discovery.
Join a Diverse, Successful Scientific Community
When you enroll at Johns Hopkins, you become part of an international community of biotechnology, research, and medical professionals who work in labs, universities, and companies around the world.
Share Your Discoveries: The Research Symposium
Each May our graduate students are invited to showcase their independent research. The annual event features poster presentations, a notable guest speaker, and more.
MS in Biotechnology and MBA Dual Degree
The MS in Biotechnology/MBA is one of the nation’s first and largest dual graduate degree programs in biotechnology and business. The program allows you to earn two advanced degrees in less time than it takes to earn them separately.
Master’s in Biotechnology FAQs
Johns Hopkins University’s MS in Biotechnology program is a 10-course, 40-credit STEM-certified professional master’s degree program – often completed within 12-36 months, though students have up to five years for degree completion. Courses are offered online, in-person at the JHU Homewood Campus in Baltimore, Maryland, or through a combination of both modalities.
The admissions criteria for the MS in Biotechnology 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 range from $57,400 – $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 can select from one of six areas of concentration: Biodefense; Bioinformatics; Biotechnology Enterprise; Molecular Targets and Drug Discovery; Regenerative and Stem Cell Technologies; and Regulatory Affairs.
Yes. Students attending the program in-person will access laboratories on the Homewood campus. Students attending the program online can gain access to a 360-degree virtual laboratory tour that is embedded with immersive laboratory training modules. Some of this degree’s concentrations require an onsite lab course which is offered through a variety of convenient formats.
Graduates of a biotechnology master’s program may pursue careers in scientific research, biotechnology operations, healthcare innovation, and pharmaceutical development.
Common roles include:
- Biotechnologist
- Research scientist
- Clinical research associate
- Regulatory affairs specialist
- Quality assurance specialist
- Biotechnology project manager
The specific career path students pursue depends on previous experience, chosen concentration, and professional goals within the biotechnology industry.
Professionals with advanced biotechnology training may also pursue leadership-oriented roles that combine scientific expertise with business or operational responsibilities. As biotechnology organizations continue developing new therapies, diagnostics, and technologies, professionals who can contribute technical knowledge and support innovation processes may find opportunities across research and commercial environments.
Biotechnology graduates work across industries that rely on biological research, scientific innovation, and technology development. These industries include:
- Pharmaceuticals
- Biotechnology companies
- Healthcare
- Medical research organizations
- Government agencies
- Academic research institutions
A biotechnology master’s degree can help students prepare for roles that support the development, evaluation, and implementation of emerging scientific solutions.
Beyond traditional laboratory settings, biotechnology professionals may also work in industries focused on regulatory compliance, biotechnology consulting, bioinformatics, and commercialization. The broad interdisciplinary nature of biotechnology allows graduates to apply their knowledge and skills across organizations that need professionals who understand both science and industry practices.