The combined master’s degree is only open to undergraduate students who will graduate from Johns Hopkins with a degree in biology or molecular and cellular biology.
How to apply
Students wishing to apply to this program must select a Spring matriculation date. All participants will be admitted in the Spring term of their application in order to transition to either a MS student or a BS/MS student in the Fall prior to their graduation.
The application for Fall 2026 opens on September 1, 2025 and closes on October 15, 2025.
There is no fee to apply. Make sure to select the appropriate option when completing the application form so the fee is waived.
Characteristics of qualified applicants
- A Hopkins biology or molecular and cellular biology major
- A junior or senior who plans to complete the program immediately following graduation or concurrently with their final undergraduate year
- A minimum overall GPA of 3.2 and minimum natural science GPA of 3.0
- Students with a GPA below the minimum requirement will be considered under special circumstances if a strong commitment to research is demonstrated.
- At least two semesters of previous research experience prior to entering MS program
- A research mentor and research project.
Research mentors must be Johns Hopkins faculty (regular or adjunct), but may be located at the Homewood campus, the Carnegie Institution, the School of Medicine (including both the East Baltimore and Bayview campuses), Bloomberg School of Public Health, or the School of Nursing.
Required application materials
- Three recommendation letters
- One letter of support and recommendation from the research supervisor. In the letter, the supervisor should both agree to take on the applicant as a master’s student and outline plans for the supervision of the student’s work.
- Two additional letters of recommendation
- Official Undergraduate Transcript
- Additional Materials: the following items should be submitted as a single PDF uploaded in the personal statement section of the application form.
- Research Proposal
- The research proposal (about one page in length) should be developed by the applicant in cooperation with the research mentor. The proposal should detail the rationale, methods, and timetable for the proposed project. The quality and feasibility of the proposed research, and the adequacy of the plans for supervision of the work, will be evaluated by the program committee.
- Natural Science Grade Point Average Worksheet
- Student/Research Advisor Agreement Form
- Supplemental Application Questions
- Research Proposal
Tuition
Students who finish their bachelor’s degree before starting the master’s program will receive 50% tuition remission by fulfilling the teaching requirement. Therefore, tuition will be 50% of the typical tuition amount. Financial aid is not available.
Students who finish their bachelor’s and master’s degree at the same time are not eligible for tuition remission. However, any financial aid received for your undergraduate tuition will still apply.