Most Affordable Online Master's In Biology Degrees

Overview

Looking for a school that will give you a great return on investment? In 2018, Money ranked Texas AM University the No. 1 public university within the state for Best College Value. Not only does it offer competitive tuition rates, but it also educates the student community on money and investing in education. In the 2018-2019 school year, the average family with a total income of $40,000 or less paid an out-of-pocket cost of about $8,485. Annually, Texas AM is proud to give away more than $836 million in financial aid.

Program Features

Both current and future biology teachers who wish to teach at the college level or below should consider enrolling in this online MS in Biological Sciences. A total of 36 credit hours will be completed. Here is a sample of some available courses:

Virology Epigenetics Hydrology Microbial Physiology

Notables

Courses are offered in the fall, spring, and summer. A research paper will be completed at the end of the program; however, this degree and its research component are not meant for future Ph.D. students.

Overview

Western Kentucky Universitys online Masters in Biology degree is offered through the Ogden College of Science Engineering. The college was founded in 1877 under the will of Major Robert W. Ogden. It hopes to empower students through learning opportunities and research, and also serve the community by producing strong graduates who are ready to meaningfully contribute to the workforce. The college also seeks to encourage students who are not typically represented in STEM learning. As of now, about 35% of Ogdens student body identifies as female.

Program Features

Receive your MS degree in Biology without worrying about completing a thesis through this online program. Graduates will not only be prepared to enter into careers of teaching but also in fields such as public service. Below are some degree highlights:

Year-round courses Minimum of 30 credit hours Ability to transfer up to 12 credit hours

Notables

More than 90% of WKU students receive some form of financial assistance. All interested students should start by filling out their FAFSA form to see how much governmental aid they can receive. Veterans and those who have active military status may also receive additional benefits.

Overview

The University of West Alabama makes education possible by providing affordable options to its students. About 80% of all enrollees receive some form of financial assistance throughout their time at UWA. There are also several scholarships available for excellent students such as merit-based scholarships, community college awards for transfer students, and scholarships for specific majors. Other than its affordability, UWA offers high-quality programs in a small, personalized environment. In 2018, WalletHub ranked it among the Top 50 Public Schools in the South based on factors such as cost, student selectivity, and career outcomes.

Program Features

Now more than ever, it is important to understand how we as humans impact the environment. UWAs online MS in Conservation Biology gives students the necessary research and practice skills to seek careers that work to preserve our biodiversity. Key features of this degree include:

Completion time: one to two years Eight-week courses Ability to transfer up to nine credit hours

Notables

Current graduates are employed at a variety of related corporations and government agencies. Some current places include the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, and The Nature Conservancy.

Overview

Located in Mississippi, Alcorn State University has its roots serving the historically marginalized black population in the South. It is the oldest public HBCU that is a land grant institution. Alcorn began as an agricultural and mechanical college for men only, with women enrolling for the first time in the early 1900s.Today, Alcorn is a passionate community that encourages its students to embrace diversity and build each other up. About 4,000 students are currently enrolled at both the undergraduate and graduate levels. The U.S. News World Report ranks Alcorn the No. 35 Best Public School in the South.

Program Features

The online MS in Biology at ASU is designed for advanced level scientists who wish to deepen their knowledge of the field and develop strong research skills. This is a 33 credit hour program that can be completed via the online Blackboard system. Other main characteristics of the MS degree are:

21 credit hours of electives Advising via phone and online Completion of a project paper if non-thesis path is chosen

Notables

Courses will be held in the fall and spring semesters for 16 weeks. There are also two four-week sessions in the summer. If completing this program part-time, it is estimated to take about two years.

Overview

Kearney is a beautiful, progressive city with a population of about 30,000 people. Due to its location in the center of the country, students can travel easily to other major cities via plane or a road trip. During the early 1900s, the city of Kearney did not yet have an institute of higher education. The University of Nebraska at Kearney began as a normal school for future teachers to enroll in after finishing the 8th grade. It wasnt until 1921 that the school began to offer four-year degrees. Today, UNK has a total enrollment of over 7,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Biology is one of its disciplines that has a job placement rate of almost 100%.

Program Features

Receive full support academically and professionally when enrolling in the MS in Biology program. About 20 faculty with various scientific expertise serve these graduate students. This is a non-thesis program made up of 36 credit hours.

16-week fall and spring sessions, and 12-week summer sessions Completion time: two to three years Up to $750 given as a grant by the UNK Research Services Council to qualifying students

Notables

This program is offered via the online Canvas platform. Coursework and the online library can be accessed 24 hours a day, along with 24-hour live tech support.

Overview

Clemson University was founded by Thomas and Anna Clemson. After the Civil War, Mr. Clemson noted the war-ravaged economy of the South. After he died in 1888, it was in his will to set up an institute of higher education to teach agriculture and mechanical arts to the South Carolina population. Clemson Agricultural College opened in 1889. Today, Clemson is considered a top-ranked university with some of the highest graduation rates in the country. For 2019, the U.S. News World Report ranks it the No. 24 Best Public School in the nation.

Program Features

Clemson offers an online MS in Biological Sciences as a non-thesis program. This degree is meant for current educators in the field. There is also a program for those who may not necessarily want an additional degree, but who wish to advance their knowledge in the sciences.

30 credit hours Ability to transfer up to 12 credit hours Research project in lieu of thesis

Notables

This program is ideal for those who already have their license to teach and who are looking to expand their competence in Biology. There is currently no exact pathway from this program to obtain state licensure. Those who do not have their teaching license should look to other programs whose curriculum specifically meet those requirements.

Overview

The University of Saint Josephs beautiful academic shield is an emblem of the universitys founders and its faith background. USJ was founded by the Sisters of Mercy of Connecticut to establish the first liberal arts institution of higher education for women in Hartford. Today its programs are fully co-educational and welcome students of all religious backgrounds. USJ offers degrees from the undergraduate to the doctoral level, both on-campus and online. It has won numerous accolades, with the most recent one being ranked the No. 23 Best Value School in the nation by the U.S. News World Report in 2019.

Program Features

USJs online MS in Biology prepares graduates for a variety of jobs within the field. This flexible degree can be completed in as little as two years if taken full-time. Special features of the MS include:

Class size of 20 students or less Three additional certifications available Optional thesis

Notables

The three certifications available are Emerging Infectious Diseases, Environmental Science, and Integrative Genomics. These are great items to add to ones resume. Students take specific electives to meet the requirements for those certifications.