Apply to the UMSL Biology Graduate Program
Applications to the Biology graduate programs at the University of Missouri–St. Louis are submitted through the UMSL Graduate School application portal.
Admission Requirements
Admission to our graduate programs normally requires:
- A minimum GPA of 3.0 (both overall and in biology coursework).
- An appropriate background for graduate work in biology, including courses in genetics, cell biology, and evolution. Courses in organic chemistry, college physics, and calculus are expected.
Application Materials
Applicants should submit the following materials:
Statement of Purpose
Applicants must submit a personal statement describing:
- Your interest in biology and what led you to pursue graduate school, and why you are applying to UMSL
- Your research and other relevant experiences
- Your future academic and career plans
If you are applying to the Ph.D. or a thesis-based M.S. program, we strongly recommend that you identify faculty members you are interested in working with.
The statement should be no longer than two pages.
Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must request three letters of recommendation from previous faculty members or other individuals qualified to assess their ability for graduate study. Names and contact information for letter writers must be entered through the UMSL Graduate School application portal, and letter writers will be contacted by UMSL to submit a letter.
Curriculum Vitae
Applicants should submit a curriculum vitae (CV) as part of their application. The CV should provide an overview of the applicant’s academic background and relevant experiences, including education, research experience, publications or presentations (if applicable), field or laboratory skills, awards, and other activities that demonstrate preparation for graduate study in biology. Applicants are encouraged to highlight experiences that illustrate their research interests and potential for success in a graduate research environment.
Transcripts
Official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions attended must be submitted to the Graduate Admissions Office.
GRE Scores (Optional)
GRE scores (Verbal, Quantitative, and Analytical) are encouraged but not required.
International Applicants
Applicants whose native language is not English must submit TOEFL scores unless they are from countries where English is the primary language. Minimum TOEFL scores for admission are 550 (for paper-based test), 213 (for computer-based test), and 80 (for internet-based test),
All incoming international students are required to take an English language exam during orientation week. Based on the results, students may be required to take additional English courses during their first year of graduate study.
Otherwise, international applicants should submit the same materials mentioned above.
Application Deadlines
Applications are due by December 1 for admission for the following academic year. International applicants should submit materials well in advance of this deadline, as their applications must first be reviewed by the International Student Office.
Advisor Matching and Application Review
Students are not admitted to the Ph.D. program without support from a potential faculty advisor. Prospective students interested in the Ph.D. program or the thesis-based M.S. program are strongly encouraged to contact faculty members in their area of interest prior to applying. A list of research-active faculty laboratories can be found on the department’s research page (https://www.umsl.edu/biology/research.html).
Applications are reviewed by the UMSL Biology Graduate Committee, which makes recommendations for admission to the Dean of the Graduate School.
Applicants may be invited for interviews during February or early March. Prospective students are also welcome to arrange independent visits to the department.
Assistantships and Fellowships
Ph.D. Students
Teaching and research assistantships are awarded competitively to qualified Ph.D. students.
Current support levels:
- A minimum of $10,000 per semester for up to five years (Fall and Spring semesters; totaling 10 months). Note that this base stipend may be augmented by research advisors depending on the availability of extramural funds.
- Tuition is covered by the Graduate School (for teaching assistants) or by research advisors (for research assistants).
- Additional summer salary may be available through research advisors or teaching positions, depending on the availability of funds.
- Students pay only incidental fees
Graduate assistants must enroll in 6 credit hours per semester during the academic year, which is considered full-time status. Ph.D. students may receive up to five years of support.
Note that teaching assistantships are awarded only to students with demonstrated oral English proficiency. International students normally do not teach during their first semester on campus.
MS Students
Funding for Master’s students is limited, and most students are admitted without financial support. If support becomes available, it is awarded term-by-term.
Current assistantship support:
- A minimum of $9,500 per semester (Fall and Spring semesters; totaling 10 months). Note that this base stipend may be augmented by advisors depending on the availability of extramural funds.
- Tuition is covered by the Graduate School (for teaching assistant) or by research advisors (for research assistants).
- Additional summer salary may be available through research advisors or teaching positions, depending on the availability of funds.
- Students pay only incidental fees.
MS students seeking assistantship consideration should submit a separate assistantship application to the Director of Graduate Studies in the Department of Biology.
This application must be submitted separately from the Graduate School application.
