Cell Biology & Biotechnology Application Information & Dealines
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 place of or 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
- NOTE: 500-word minimum for Health Policy students
- 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
- Doctor of Physical Therapy
- Pharmacy Administration
- MBA in Pharmaceutical Business
- Masters of Occupational Therapy
- Science Teacher Certification
- 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.
- Certification of Finances are required from international students
* 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. In addition, a personal interview is required for all PhD applicants. This interview may be conducted in person or by telephone.
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
Those Applying for Financial Aid and All International Students:
In general, we consider applications for admission immediately upon receiving your complete application materials. If you are applying for financial aid, and/or if you are an international student, you must send in all your application materials by the following dates:
- Fall admission – April 15
- NOTE: Applications for the Ph.D. program in Health Policy; Pharmacology/Toxicology M.S., PhD; and Pharmaceutics M.S.; PhD.
- NOTE: Deadline for Applications for the Health Psychology program is January 15th of each year for the following fall semester. Please click here for more information on this and Health Psychology late applications.
- Spring admission – October 1
- Summer admission – March 1
U.S. Residents Not Applying for Financial Aid:
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. All application materials must be sent to USP no later than:
- Fall admission – Wednesday before fall classes begin.
- NOTE: Applicants for the PhD in Health Policy, Pharmacology/Toxicolgy programs, Pharmaceutics programs and Health Psychology programs must complete their application no later than April 15.
- Spring admission – Wednesday before spring classes begin
- Summer admission – Wednesday before summer classes begin
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 >
