• Course Delivery
    100% Online
  • Total Credits
    18
  • In-State Tuition Per Credit
    $320.00
  • Out of State Tuition Per Credit
    $450.00

Biology

Graduate Certificate

As a student in the IU Online Graduate Certificate in Biology, you analyze and explore the nature of life and living organisms at an advanced level. Gain the ability to break down and analyze biological concepts for an undergraduate audience, the ability to develop and analyze hypotheses and experiments, a fluency with scientific literature, and a richer understanding of biology in the natural world around us.

Specific areas of focus include: 

  • Evolution 
  • Ecology and environmental biology
  • Organismal biology
  • Cell and molecular biology, and biochemistry
  • Genetics, bioinformatics, and genomics
  • Anatomy and physiology
  • Developmental biology

Many online support services are available to assist you as you progress through the program. 

Of Special Interest for Dual-credit and Community College Instructors Needing to Meet HLC Standards

The Graduate Certificate in Biology is ideal for those who want to teach dual-credit courses and who need to meet Higher Learning Commission dual-credit qualification standards. These standards require teachers wanting to teach dual-credit courses in biology to hold either a master's degree in biology or a master's degree in another discipline (such as education), plus at least 18 credit hours of discipline-specific graduate coursework.

  • If you hold a master's degree in a discipline other than biology, you can meet HLC standards by completing the 18 credit hour Graduate Certificate in Biology. 
  • If you plan to pursue the IU Online MAT in Biology, you may apply the 18 credit hours from the Graduate Certificate in Biology toward the master's degree.
Your IU Online Graduate Certificate in Biology prepares you for such careers as:
  • Biology dual-credit teacher (high school)
  • Biology instructor (community college) 

This 100 percent online, consortial program is taught by IU Bloomington, IU East, IUPUI, IU Kokomo, IU Northwest, IU South Bend, and IU Southeast. This consortial model allows you to take coursework from several campuses and learn from a wide range of faculty.

Certificate Requirements

To earn the Graduate Certificate in Biology, you must complete 18 credit hours.

Requirements are broken down as follows:

  • Core course (3 credit hours)
  • Molecular-cellular-level electives (6 credit hours)
  • Organismal-level electives (6 credit hours)
  • Capstone course (3 credit hours)

See courses that are being offered this semester.

Download a printable PDF summary of all our graduate programs for teachers.

Admissions

To be accepted to this program, you must have: 
  1. A bachelor's degree 
  2. 3.0 GPA or above on a 4.0 scale
To apply to this program, complete an online application that includes: 
  1. Official transcripts from each undergraduate institution
  2. 250-word personal statement explaining background and reasons for entering the program
Application Dates

Fall semester: Aug 1

Spring semester: Jan 1

Summer 1 semester: May 1

Summer 2 semester: Jun 15

Courses

Core
BIOL-T 570Evolution3 Credits
BIOL-T 572Cell Biology3 Credits
BIOL-T 574Immunology3 Credits
BIOL-T 576Bioinformatics: Theory and Application3 Credits
BIOL-T 581Neurobiology3 Credits
BIOL-T 586Ornithology3 Credits
BIOL-T 591History of Life3 Credits

Tuition & Fees

Cost for Indiana Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $320.00
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $960.00
Note:   

Additional fees will apply. 



-This program is ineligible for financial aid. 

Cost for Out of State Residents
  • Per Credit Hour
  • Tuition: $450.00
  • 3 Credit Hours
  • Tuition: $1350.00
Request More Information