Admission Requirements

Admission to the Graduate Education program with the specific intent of entering the Department of Natural Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Professions Master of Science in Biology - Biological Sciences or - Biology Education track requires the applicant to interview with the Department of Natural Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Professions Graduate Co-coordinator. An applicant interested in the Masters of Science in Biology cannot be admitted to the Graduate Program until the department-level interview has occurred and feedback is provided to the Office of Graduate Education. The purpose of the interview is to ensure that the Biological Sciences and Biology Education tracks meet the needs of the applicant and any educational areas that may need strengthening are identified prior to admission to the Graduate Education program. An interview with the Department will be scheduled after the Office of Graduate Education has received at least the applicant’s transcript(s), one-page expository essay (career goals statement) and three letters of recommendation. The departmental interview can be conducted via telephone or in-person and may require communication with additional Department of Natural Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Professions’ Graduate Faculty, depending, in part, on the applicant’s potential research interests. Applicants to the Biology Education track must hold a North Carolina biology (or related science) public school teaching license (or equivalent) and have access to a public classroom in which to conduct teaching research for a culminating action research project.

Admission processes and documents submitted to the ECSU Office of Graduate Education with the intention of becoming a candidate in the Department of Natural Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Professions include:

• A Baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution;
• Undergraduate courses in genetics, microbiology, cell biology, biochemistry, molecular biology, general chemistry, biochemistry, organic chemistry, general physics and calculus;
• An overall minimum GPA of 2.5 (4.0 scale);
• A minimum GPA of 2.5 in all biology courses and a minimum GPA of 2.5 in all supporting coursework in chemistry, physics, and mathematics (4.0 scale);
• Two official transcripts from all institutions attended with indication of degree earned (if not in English, certified translations must accompany the transcripts);
• Three letters of recommendation on Graduate Recommendation Forms from faculty or those in a supervisory role that are familiar with your academic, research, and/or career performance;
• One page expository description of educational preparation, research interests, and career goals;
• An interview with the Department of Natural Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Professions Graduate Program Co-coordinator;
• Completed application for Graduate Education program admissions;
• Application fee;
• Submission of scores for the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) General Test, the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT), or the Dental Admission Test (DAT); Scores cannot be older than 5 years at the time of the submission;
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if applicable;
• ECSU Health Form;
• A Residence Form;
• North Carolina Science Teaching License (for Biology Education track); and
• A letter of support from a public school official confirming the applicant's appropriate access to a classroom to conduct teaching research (if not employed as a public teacher). Required for Biology Education track.

Important Note: Upon admission to the Graduate Education program, the student is expected to assume, in part, the following responsibilities: (a) follow all of the policies of the Office of Graduate Education and the Department of Natural Sciences, Pharmacy and Health Professions Graduate Program as specified in the Graduate Catalog; (b) consult with an assigned advisor before registering for courses; (c) prepare a Program of Study within the first semester that is approved by the advisor, the Department Graduate Program Co-coordinator, the Department Chair, and the Director of the Office of Graduate Education; and (d) obtain full permission before making any substitutions or modifications to a Program of Study.