Why Pursue a Biotechnology Master's Degree
The Biomedical/Biotechnology industry is one of the largest industries in San Antonio. As this industry continues to grow, UT San Antonio is the only local university offering post-graduate training in Biotechnology. Master’s students are offered hands-on laboratory training in techniques widely used in academic and biotechnology research labs.
Research
The Integrative Biology Department has approximately 50 tenured and tenure track faculty conducting research in a variety of research areas. Faculty conduct research in a wide range of subjects such as neurobiology, molecular microbiology, immunology, developmental biology, botany and stem cell biology. Biotechnology students also have access to several research centers on campus. Graduating students have been accepted into doctoral programs at Institutes such as the MD Anderson Cancer Center and Carnegie Mellon University.
Internships
The biotechnology master’s program offers supervised internship opportunities with off-campus biotechnology companies. The goal of the internship is give graduate students practical experience working in the industry. The experience can encompass any of the day-to-day operations and activities that take place in the industry, from translational research to clinical trial design and management.
Admission & Application Requirements
Applications are submitted through the UT San Antonio Graduate Application. Please upload all required documents (listed below) on your UT San Antonio Graduate Application. It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure completion and submission of the application, a nonrefundable application fee, and all required supporting documents are on file with UT San Antonio by the appropriate application deadline.
| Biotechnology (MS) | ||
|---|---|---|
| Admission is only available for the Fall semester | ||
| Required Degree | Bachelor's Degree from an accredited college or university in the United States or have proof of equivalent training at a foreign institution. | |
| Minimum GPA | 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) Departments may consider GPA of last 60 semester credit hours | |
| Coursework | Completed adequate credit hours or foreign institution equivalent coursework as preparation for the program. | |
| Transcripts* | Required from all institutions attended; international transcripts must be recorded/translated to English | |
| Credential Evaluation | Required if you have earned university-level credit from foreign institutions. Submit an evaluation of your transcripts from FCSA or any NACES-approved credential evaluation agency. | |
| English Language Proficiency | 79 TOEFL iBT / 6.5 IELTS / Duolingo 100 For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: We require a minimum TOEFL iBT score of 4.0. |
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| Purpose Statement | Required | |
| Letters of Recommendation | 2 academic or professional reference(s) demonstrating your attributes for successful completion of this program (you will request these through the Graduate Admissions Application; let your recommenders know of your deadline to ensure submissions are on time) | |
| *Unofficial transcripts will be taken into consideration for admissions; however, if admitted into the program, you must submit official transcripts to the University. | ||
Application Deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to have their admission file completed as early as possible. All applications, required documents and letters of recommendation, if applicable, must be submitted by 5:00 PM U.S. Central Time on the day of the deadline. Deadlines are subject to change.
| Biotechnology (MS) | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Timing on Admission Decision: Completed applications will be reviewed for admission on a rolling basis. Decisions generally will be made and sent to applicants within 4 to 6 weeks of receiving the application. | |||
| Application Deadlines for: | Priority | International | Domestic |
| Fall 2026 | April 1 | April 1 | |
| Spring | Not Available | Not Available | |
| Summer | Not Available | Not Available | |
Funding Opportunities
Teaching Assistantships are available. For more information about graduate funding, click below.
Career Options
UT San Antonio prepares you for future careers that are in demand. The possible careers below are based on data pulled by a third-party tool called Emsi, which pulls information from sources like the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Census Bureau, online job postings, other government databases and more to give you regional and national career outlook related to this academic program.
This program is housed on Main campus. A handful of courses are offered in the evenings but most courses – especially the lab-based courses – take place during the day.
Frequently Asked Questions
The Master’s in Biotechnology at UT San Antonio is a professionally oriented graduate program designed to prepare students for careers in biotechnology, biomedical research and related industries. The program emphasizes both fundamental knowledge and applied skills, allowing students to tailor their studies through electives and research opportunities.
Students also have the option to pursue a thesis or non-thesis route, enabling them to gain specialized experience and develop competencies valued by employers and doctoral programs alike. Research opportunities extend beyond the Department of Molecular Microbiology & Immunology and include collaborations with faculty across the university and affiliated research institutions. The program is well-suited for students seeking to deepen their scientific training, engage in cutting-edge research and position themselves for careers in industry, academia, healthcare or further advanced study.
The MS in Biotechnology is designed for students with a strong undergraduate background in biology or related life sciences who seek advanced training in biotechnology and molecular biology. Applicants should have completed upper-division coursework in areas such as cell biology and biochemistry and be prepared for rigorous graduate study. This program is ideal for students pursuing careers in biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedical research or healthcare, as well as those planning to apply to doctoral, medical, dental or other professional programs who wish to strengthen their academic and research experience.
The curriculum covers core areas of biotechnology, including:
- Molecular biology
- Cell biology
- Biochemistry
- Microbiology
- Immunology
- Genomics
Students also gain training in advanced laboratory techniques, experimental design, data analysis and translational applications of biotechnology. Elective courses allow students to explore specialized topics such as drug and vaccine development, biomedical engineering and biotechnology management.
The MS in Biotechnology is designed to be completed in two years of full-time study. All degree requirements must be completed within six years.
Graduates of the MS in Biotechnology program are prepared for entry- to mid-level positions in biotechnology, pharmaceutical, biomedical research, and healthcare-related industries. Common roles include research associate, laboratory scientist, quality control analyst, regulatory affairs specialist and clinical research coordinator.
Some graduates choose to continue their education in PhD, medical, dental or other professional programs. The program provides strong scientific training and research experience that supports both workforce entry and further academic advancement.
Yes, financial support is available for students in the MS Biotechnology program at UT San Antonio. Options include:
- Federal financial aid like grants, loans and work‑study
- Scholarships through the Scholarship Hub
- Graduate assistantships, which require students to contact the department and submit an application
