DC Career Launch
Find cutting-edge government and private industry laboratory jobs in Washington, DC, a growing hub for biotech.
Please note: No new students will be admitted to this program for the 2025-2026 academic year.
MS Biotechnology
Master the Science and Business of Biotechnology
American University’s Master's Degree in Biotechnology integrates rigorous science with entrepreneurship and business. In our program, you will master the science, immerse yourself in real-life entrepreneurial ventures, and take management courses at AU’s Kogod School of Business. Our MS prepares you to blend science, business, and technology to become a leader across cutting-edge biotech, life sciences, biodefense, agriculture, public policy, and pharmaceutical industries.
- Mode of Study
On campus, some online courses - Time to Complete
16 mos. or your own pace - Course Scheduling
Mostly afternoon and evening - Requirements
30 credits
- Tuition and Funding
$2080 per credit. All applicants automatically considered for merit scholarships; visit Tuition and Funding. - Admissions
Start in fall, spring, or summer. No GRE scores or tech degree required. Visit Admission and Requirements.
Flexible Classes for Professionals
Complete the degree full-time in just 16 months. Or choose evening, online, and summer courses for part-time students and working professionals.
Internship Opportunities
Our students intern with companies like AstraZeneca, start-ups such as Sanaria Inc., and government agencies including NIH and Walter Reed.
Specialize Your Studies
Select one of four tracks best for your own research and career goals. Coursework culminates in the Capstone Experience, structured as a guided entrepeneurial venture, internship, or applied research project. See Admission & Course Requirements for complete details, including electives and course descriptions.
Biodefense
The Washington, DC, area is a technology and research hub that plays a critical role in supporting our national defense. Students in this track take courses in physical, material, and microbial science while preparing to work with organizations contracted by the Department of Defense, Homeland Security, and others.
Bioinformatics
Genomics and data science have accelerated biological innovation in the last decade. Students in this track graduate with advanced knowledge in the life sciences and highly soft-after computational skills.
Biotechnology Management
Behind every scientific discovery, there is a strong leadership team supporting research. The management track prepares students to become industry executives through courses and experiences in entrepreneurship, finance, and information technology.
Drug Discovery and Design
Careers abound in the pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries. Students in this track take courses in molecular biosciences, as well as applied courses, including QA/QC, spectroscopy, and healthcare IT.
Alumni Spotlight: Julian Urrutia-Carter
“STEM is inclusive. I've learned that science is for everyone. AU gave me the confidence to pursue new scientific fields, especially those where I didn't feel (or wasn't told) I could be successful.”
—Julian Urrutia-Carter, Research Fellow,
Smithsonian Institution National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute
Career Outlook
Consistently ranked as one of the best cities for job seekers, Washington, DC, offers access to an extraordinary array of professional opportunities. The numerous cutting-edge government and private industry laboratories in this biotechnology hub offer unlimited opportunities.
With an internship, you can gain hands-on experience and get your foot in the door with local biotechnology employers. Our students have held internships and obtained employment with companies like United Therapeutics, Parexcel, and IBM; start-up companies such as Sanaria Inc. and Redbud Labs; and government agencies including the Smithsonian Institution, National Zoo, National Institutes of Health, and Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
Recent graduates now work or pursue doctoral study at
- East Coast Institute for Research
- Genova Diagnostics
- Johns Hopkins University
- MedImmune
- Paragon
- Regeneron
- Temple University
- Virginia Tech
Student Spotlight: Charlotte Owusu-Hammond
“My time at American university has given me a solid foundation in both theoretical and practical aspects of my field, as well as an exceptional mentorship that led to my internship at United Therapeutics. This experience has been pivotal in advancing my professional aspirations in drug development.”
—Charlotte Owusu-Hammond, MS biotechnology candidate and intern at United Therapeutics
Our Alumni
Post-graduation roles of selected recent alumni:
- Julian Urrutia-Carter, '23
Research Fellow, Smithsonian National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute’s Center for Conservation Genomics - Nathanael Jiya, '22
Strategy Consultant, IBM - Kishnoor Bhasin, '22
Market Development Manager, Parexcel - Michelle Biederman, '17
PhD candidate, Johns Hopkins University
Ready to dive in? Start your application.