A master's degree in biology prepares you for a variety of careers across the public, private and nonprofit sectors. Organizations like research labs, government agencies, health care systems and environmental agencies often hire biology master's degree graduates. The specific roles depend heavily on which area you specialize in:
Focusing on research and health care can help you earn roles as a:
- Research scientist
- Lab manager
- Clinical research coordinator
- Biotechnology specialist
Emphasizing conservation and environmental science can lead to:
- Conservation scientist
- Wildlife biologist
- Environmental consultant
Diving into biology and society (bioethics, science policy, biology education) can support goals around becoming a:
- Policy analyst
- Science communicator
- Science writer
- Post-secondary instructor
While most biology programs can lead to these paths, those interested in pursuing an online Master of Science in biology program should understand that not all online options can lead to the same career outcomes.
Many online biology programs are built narrowly around K-12 teacher licensure. So, it’s important to look out for flexible, elective-heavy program options that let you build a plan of study around your preferred path, whether it’s computational biology, genomics, conservation biology or evolutionary medicine.
How much can you earn with a master's degree in biology?
Pay varies significantly by specialization, but the field is growing faster than the overall U.S. job market.
Life, physical and social science occupations, the category the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics defines which covers most biology-related careers, is projected to grow 7.5% from 2025 to 2035, more than twice the 3.5% average growth projected across all occupations, with a median annual wage of $82,530.
Individual roles vary widely around that baseline:
- Medical scientists
- Median salary: $103,410
- Projected growth: 13%
- Microbiologists
- Median salary: $87,990
- Projected growth: 4%
- Zoologists and wildlife biologists
- Median salary: $76,780
- Projected growth: 4%
Is a master's degree in biology worth it?
Yes, if the specialization you choose lines up with a career path that actually needs an advanced degree — research leadership, specialized lab roles or areas of science policy where an advanced degree is required.
Pursuing this degree might not be the best option if you’re only looking to pursue a role that a bachelor's degree already qualifies you for.
The clearest ROI comes from the degree's flexibility. Because a well-built biology master's degree lets you build your plan of study around a specific interest area, you can shape the degree around the career you actually want, whether that's a research-heavy path, a health care-adjacent role or a policy and communication direction.
How long does it take to earn a master's degree in biology?
Most students complete a biology master's degree in about two years of full-time study. ASU’s online Master of Science in biology requires 30 credit hours.
If you don’t yet have your undergraduate degree, you can also consider pursuing ASU’s accelerated bachelor's-to-master's degree pathway that shortens the combined timeline — completing both degrees in as little as five years.
Actual timing depends on which culminating-experience option you choose. A thesis-based pathway that’s built around original research and includes a faculty advisor often takes longer than a coursework-and-capstone or applied-project pathway, since original research doesn't move on a fixed schedule the way coursework does.
Do you need a bachelor's in biology to apply?
Not necessarily, because a closely related science background is often enough. Some programs will even consider you without one. Most biology master's degree programs expect you to have completed the equivalent of undergraduate biology core coursework, which often includes evolution and genetics courses. A bachelor's degree in a related science field can also qualify you.
If your undergraduate background is light on core science coursework, don't assume that rules you out. Many programs, including ASU's, will consider students without a strong science background for conditional admission. You’ll just need to complete some undergraduate courses.
What to look for in an online biology master's program
Look for three things: flexibility, a real culminating experience and legitimate accreditation. A rigid, teacher-only curriculum will box you into one career outcome regardless of what you actually want to do. A program that lets you choose your electives and specialization area gives you far more control over where the degree takes you.
The culminating experience matters more for a science master's degree than it might for other graduate fields, since it's where you demonstrate applied competence rather than just coursework completion. Look for programs offering multiple options, a thesis for research-focused students, and a capstone, applied project or comprehensive exam for students who want depth without a full original research commitment.
Confirm the program and institution carry legitimate accreditation before you enroll too. Accreditation affects everything from transfer credit to how the degree is viewed by employers and other graduate programs. Learn more about ASU's accreditation if you want to verify a program's standing before applying.