Biological Sciences Programs Application Information & Deadlines
How To Apply
If you would like assistance in preparing your application, or have questions about the application process, we're here to help.
If you wish to apply for admission to one of USP's graduate programs, or would like to take one or more graduate courses, you may apply directly on-line. If you prefer to submit your application on paper, you may download the application and supplemental forms below.
To apply for formal admission you must submit:
- Completed application for graduate studies available online or download PDF
- Application fee of $50.00 made payable to University of the Sciences in Philadelphia which is non-refundable. If you are only applying to take a course you will not be required to pay the application fee until you formally apply to the program. If you are a USP alumnus you are not required to pay a fee.
- Course registration form if you wish to begin taking courses prior to admission (see Take a Course for more details)
- Three letters of recommendation
- NOTE: Health Policy applicants are required to submit written letters of recommendation in addition to the recommendation form.
- Official transcripts from colleges/universities you've attended.
- NOTE: If you attended USP or PCPS, we will obtain this transcript for you.
- A written statement of your professional goals
- For Health Policy applicants, a 500-word minimum is required
- For MPH applicants, an additional essay answering the following is required:
In 2-3 paragraphs, please describe a current public health issue and how it relates to your interest in public health.
- Résumé/Curriculum Vitae listing all significant education and employment
- GRE test scores if required by the program to which you are applying. Official GRE* scores are required for all programs EXCEPT:
- Bioinformatics
- Biomedical Writing
- Pharmacy Administration
- MBA in Pharmaceutical Business
- MPH
- TOEFL and TWE scores are required for applicants whose native language is not English and all international students; International students seeking financial aid must also submit TSE scores. We Will accept IELTS in place of TOEFL.
- Certification of Finances are required from international students
*See GRE Waiver information for Cell Biology & Biotechnology and Health Policy applicants below.
GRE Waiver
*Cell Biology & Biotechnology: applicants may apply for a waiver from the GRE exam if you have taken a minimum of 9 credits of coursework in the program, have maintained a GPA of 3.00 or higher, and have received no grade less than "B-."
* Health Policy: GRE scores are not required for admission to the master's program in Health Policy. GRE scores are required for the PhD, unless the applicant has completed a USP graduate health policy course with a grade of "B" or higher. Only the following courses can be taken for the waiver HP730, HP740, HP780, HP790, HP791, HP808, HP812, HP850. In addition, a personal interview is required for all PhD applicants. This interview may be conducted in person or by telephone.
*Please note you must be a citizen or permanent resident of the United States to take course at USP before being formally enrolled in a degree program.
Take a Course
If you are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States you can explore taking a course or two at USP before formally enrolling in a graduate program. There are several advantages to doing this — for example, you may be able to reduce the number of requirements you must meet for formal admission into the program. To learn more, review Take a Course.
For additional admissions information, please contact our graduate admissions counselors by phone at (215) 596-8556 or by e-mail at graduate@usp.edu.
Attention Post-Baccalaureate Masters in Occupational Therapy Applicants
The University has combined the Post-Baccalaureate Masters in Occupational Therapy Program admission application process with the University's Admission Office that manages the Transfer admission process for students who have completed the entire preprofessional sequence, but have not yet earned a BS degree.
Post-Baccalaureate students are admitted as "Graduate" level students, and enroll directly into the professional phase of the MOT curriculum. Entrance criteria and prerequisite requirements have been reduced to essential fundamentals for the PostBac applicant, and differ significantly from transfer students who are admitted into the MOT program without a BS degree.
Post-Baccalaureate students should utilize the application form listed as Undergraduate Transfer Domestic or Undergraduate Transfer International. To apply click here . Please do not use any of the application forms listed as "Graduate", as they will not link to the correct admission office.
USP's Commitment to Diversity
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia recognizes that a diverse campus community is essential to enriching intellectual exchanges and enhancing cultural understanding. We value equality of opportunity, mutual respect, and diversity.
USP does not discriminate in admission, employment, or administration of its programs on the basis of gender, age, disability, race, religion, creed, national origin, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or in violation of federal, state and local laws or executive orders.
Application materials should be submitted to:
University of the Sciences in Philadelphia
College of Graduate Studies, Box 98
600 South 43rd Street
Philadelphia, PA 19104
Fax: (215) 895-1185
Note: The forms listed on this page are in PDF 
format and can only be opened through Adobe Acrobat Reader.
If you do not have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed, please click here and download it for free.
Take a Course
You may want to explore taking a course or two before formally enrolling in a USP graduate program. Up to 12 credits earned in this status can be applied towards your graduate degree upon formal admission into the program. However, taking classes before you are accepted does not guarantee your admission into the program.
To register for graduate courses, you'll need to submit the following materials:
- Application for Graduate Studies*
- Course registration form
- Résumé/Curriculum Vitae
- Transcripts from all colleges/universities attended (for Cell Biology & Biotechnology and Cell & Molecular Biology only)
- One letter of recommendation (for Cell Biology & Biotechnology and Cell & Molecular Biology only)
*Application fee of $50 is not required until you formally apply to your program
Criteria for Admissions
To be eligible for admission to a program leading to a graduate degree, you must:
- Hold at least a bachelor's degree from an accredited university or college, or be currently enrolled in an undergraduate/first-professional degree program at USP
- Also meet any additional eligibility requirements of the graduate program to which you are applying.
- Make sure to visit the webpages associated with your program to learn about additional eligibility and program requirements.
Admissions decisions are made based upon the following criteria:
- Academic record
- Letters of recommendation
- Previous research and/or employment experience
- Scores on standardized exams, such as GRE, GMAT and TOEFL
- Essay
Application Deadlines
In general, we consider applications for admission immediately upon receiving your complete application materials.
PLEASE NOTE: Applications for the Ph.D. program in Health Policy; Pharmacology/Toxicology M.S., PhD and Pharmaceutics M.S.; are only considered for Fall Admission.
All application materials must be sent to USP (unless noted above) no later than:
Type of Student |
Fall Admission |
Spring Admission |
Summer Admission |
Financial Aid Applicants* |
April 15 |
October 1 |
March 1 |
U.S. Residents Not Applying for Financial Aid** |
Wednesday before fall classes begin |
Wednesday before spring classes begin |
Wednesday before summer classes begin |
International Students* |
April 15 |
October 1 |
March 1 |
All Applicants for PhD in Health Policy |
February 15 |
Applications not considered |
Applications not considered |
All Applicants for MS in Health Psychology |
April 15 |
October 1 |
Applications not considered |
*If you are applying for financial aid, and/or if you are an international student, you must send in all your application materials by these dates.
**If you are a citizen or permanent resident of the United States, and you are not applying for financial aid, you have a bit more time to submit your application
Questions?
For additional admissions information, please contact our graduate admissions counselors by phone at (215) 596-8556 or by e-mail at graduate@usp.edu.
Review Program Requirements & Standards >
Review the Eligibility Requirements >
Review the Curriculum & Course Descriptions >
