How to Apply
Admissions Requirements
To enroll in the online Graduate Certificate in Biology for Educators, you must meet at least one of the following qualifications:
- Have earned a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university with minimum 3.0 GPA in the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study;
- Be a graduate student in good standing in an education-related masters or doctoral program;
- Have earned a master’s degree from a regionally accredited college or university.
How to Apply to the Graduate Certificate in Biology for Educators
Step 1: Apply to the Online Graduate Certificate in Biology Program
The Graduate School oversees the application process for each program. The Graduate School has its own criteria for admission, but the Online Graduate Certificate in Biology for Educators program has specific admissions requirements as well.
For admission to full graduate student status in the Online Graduate Certificate in Biology for Educators program, the department requires an overall undergraduate GPA of at least 2.8 (based on a 4.0 scale) coupled with a 3.0 or higher in the undergraduate major, provided that the major is in an accredited science or education program. Students not possessing degrees from accredited science or education programs are required to submit GRE scores in Verbal, Quantitative and Analytical Writing. While there is no minimum required score, the GRE scores are used to predict the potential for the applicant to successfully complete advanced coursework in biology. For applicants whose native language is not English, minimum TOEFL score requirements on the internet-based test are a total score of at least 80 with minimum test scores of 18 each for listening, reading, writing and speaking.
You may submit your graduate application (opens in new tab) for the online certificate program.
You can check the status (opens in new tab) of your application at any time.
Time to completion: Students can finish in as little as 3 semesters. However, working professionals who wish to pursue the certificate part-time may take as little as one course per semester as long as they complete the certificate within 6 years.
Step 2: Register for Classes
Once admitted, you will be provided with an NC State student ID, password and username, which you will need to register for courses. You will also be assigned an advisor from the graduate faculty in the Department of Biology.
- Visit the course listings webpage to peruse course descriptions. Should you have any questions, contact our online program coordinator.
- Contact your advisor each semester to discuss your planned courses. Your advisor will lift your advising hold so that you can register.
- Go to MyPack Portal to register for classes. MyPack portal is also a self-service system for students to update personal or academic information as well as a way to review semester schedules.
- Verify your schedule.
Step 3: Pay Your Tuition
Visit the Cashier’s Office & Student Accounts website to complete the tuition payment process. All inquiries regarding payments and cost of tuition should be directed to the cashier’s office. Your tuition bill must be paid by its due date in order to hold your seat in your classes.
Rolling Admissions
Applications are accepted through rolling admissions, which means students can apply at any time during the year and begin classes the semester following acceptance. Rolling admissions means:
- Students can apply year-round. Applications are reviewed as they are received.
- New students can start any semester (Fall, Spring or Summer).
For semester start and end dates, view the NC State Academic Calendar.
Coursework
Not ready to enroll in the certificate yet? You can still take classes! Classes taken independent of a certificate or degree program may be used to satisfy continuing education requirements or, if approved, be applied toward a certificate or degree program in the future. Learn how to enroll in individual classes as a Non-Degree Studies (NDS) student.