Contact

Peter Jenkins

Peter Jenkins

Professor of Biology and Geology/Director of Master of Science in Biology program
Science Building
P843-863-7982
Epjenkins@csuniv.edu

The Master of Science in biology at Charleston Southern University accepts applications year-round for fall, spring or summer admission.

We are here to help you through your journey by fostering your dedication to studies and academic success. Students will be provided with an engaging learning environment and the tools necessary for fostering relationships with peers, faculty, staff and employers.

Review the admissions process below and continue your path in advancing your career.

A close up of a young woman wearing blue gloves looking into a microscope.

Admissions Process

Step 1 : Review Application Requirements

The following requirements must be met to be eligible to apply for the program:

Regular Admission

  • The applicant has submitted a completed Application for Admission to the Graduate School with the required fee payment.
  • Cumulative undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale
  • The applicant has taken the Graduate Record Examination (GRE examinations within the last five years, and the scores have been received by the Graduate School). *An undergraduate GPA of 3.5 conferred in the last 5 years may be substituted for the graduate school entry examination.
  • The student has earned a baccalaureate degree in biology or related field from an accredited senior institution.
  • The student has provided the Graduate School with official transcripts from ALL institutions where undergraduate or graduate courses have been taken.
  • The student has provided the Graduate School with two letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with the student’s work or academic record. Recommendations from family members are NOT acceptable.
  • The student has provided the Graduate School with a personal letter of no more than 500 words outlining how he or she plans to use their degree.

In addition to above requirements:

  • Provisional admission can be given only upon the specific recommendation of the director of the biology graduate program once the appropriate documents have been received by the Graduate School.
  • A student may take a MAXIMUM of nine (9) graduate hours toward the biology master’s program under provisional admission. Once the student has taken nine graduate hours, no further graduate coursework may be undertaken until the student has met the following criteria:
    • The student must have a completed admissions file in the Graduate School.
    • The student must show a Grade Point Average (GPA) of at least 3.0 on the first nine (9) credit hours of graduate coursework at Charleston Southern University.
    • The director of graduate studies in biology must recommend the student for regular admission.

Note: Financial Aid is not available to students under Provisional Admission.

Step 2 : Apply

Submit your online application.

Fall Deadline:

August 5

Spring Deadline:

December 5

Summer Deadline:

April 25

Deadlines for admission are flexible, but for full consideration, applicants are encouraged to ensure that all materials required for the application process are received at least two weeks prior to the first day of the semester in which they intend to begin. If an applicant has particularly strong credentials, it is possible that he or she may be processed more quickly, and for that reason, applicants will be accepted until classes begin.

Step 3 : Acceptance Requirements

Each student admitted to the program is assigned an academic advisor.  Prior to registration, the advisor will discuss with students the upcoming course offerings and determine the program of study.  Graduate students are eligible to complete online registration once this advising conference is completed.  The conference may be in person or via the internet or telephone to facilitate advising for students who are not in the Charleston area.  Graduate students are provided with a course checklist and are responsible for degree progress checks with their advisor.

Transfer Credit
Graduate credits accepted for transfer from other accredited institutions must be completed within the (6) year period allowed for a master’s degree. Only coursework completed with a grade of “B” or better will be considered for transfer credit.  Only nine (9) hours are accepted as transfer credit.  The director of graduate studies in biology will evaluate the merit of the courses that are to be considered for transfer credit approval.  A student desiring to take a graduate course at another accredited institution must secure permission to do so in advance from the director of graduate studies in biology and the dean of the College of Science and Mathematics

Nondegree Graduate Student

Admission as a nondegree graduate student may be granted when the student has earned a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution but does not desire to work toward a graduate degree or is enrolled in another university and desires that credit for courses taken at CSU be transferred to the graduate school in which the student is seeking a degree. Financial Aid is not available to nondegree students.

Regulations Governing Nondegree Graduate Students: A nondegree student must present a transcript demonstrating an earned baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. Even though a nondegree graduate student has been admitted to the university, the student has not been admitted to any department or to any degree program. No more than nine (9) credit hours earned while classified as a nondegree graduate student will be accepted toward a Master of Science in biology degree at Charleston Southern University. A student must, therefore, gain regular admission to the program before completing more than nine (9) credit hours of study for additional hours to be counted toward a master’s degree. Regular admission is based on criteria above.

Selection Process

The Master of Science in biology admissions committee is composed of the director of graduate biology program and two other graduate biology faculty members. Under the guidance of the director, the committee will be involved in the decision-making process for applicants. In consultation with the Graduate School, the committee will typically set admission guidelines for the year, based significantly upon such factors as program capacity and volume of applications received, but always keeping the primary focus on maintaining program quality.

The committee will apprise the admissions counselors of the guidelines for acceptance, rejection and further consideration. The committee will then evaluate in detail the individual applications for those candidates who merit further consideration, and at times meet with prospective students to evaluate their potential for success at Charleston Southern University.

Students accepted into the biology master’s program must meet the requirements for regular or provisional admission.