Apply to UW Bioengineering’s Online Master of Pharmaceutical Bioengineering

UW Bioengineering offers the Professional Master’s online degree Program (PMP) in Pharmaceutical Bioengineering (PharBE) and a number of certificate programs. These programs are designed to enable working engineers, scientists, researchers and professionals in the biotechnology, pharmaceutical and related industries to explore advanced education in the areas of molecular and cellular biology, drug discovery and design, pharmaceutics and translational pharmaceutics.

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Have questions about applying?

Review the PharBE Admissions Frequently Asked Questions.

Master of Pharmeceutical Bioengineering Info Sessions

Deadlines

Annual degree Admission Deadline (priority admission): May 10

Annual space-available degree admission and GNM admission deadline: September 1

*Note: GNM admission does not require the GRE exam or letters of recommendation. International students are not eligible for GNM status. See below in “How to Apply” for details about applying to the degree or GNM

Before applying

Application information

Students have 2 options:

  • Option 1 – Apply to the master’s program annually by May 10th (priority) or September 1st (space available). Candidates are asked to upload all sections of the online application prior to application submission. Once an application is submitted, it is difficult for the department to enter changes and/or updates. Candidates are encouraged to apply early in order for the Department of Bioengineering to be able to send complimentary e-mail notification of any missing items. The application is an entirely online process. Candidates must submit electronic copies of all application materials where requested in the online application. All application materials must be received (not postmarked) in the appropriate office or submitted via the online application by the deadline in order to be considered for admission.
  • Option 2 – Take the Basic Biosciences Certificate under GNM status and then apply to the degree program. If students wish to take the Basic Biosciences Certificate before applying to the degree program, they must apply for graduate nonmatriculated (GNM) status in order to apply up to 12 credits under the GNM status toward the PharBE degree Applications for GNM status are separate from the Professional & Continuing Education certificate application and are due to the Graduate School by September 1st. Please note that GNM is only available for domestic students. Failure to obtain GNM status will require taking up to 12 extra credits, a significant financial cost.

NOTE: admission to GNM status does NOT guarantee admission to the degree program!

Prospective students are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority deadline. We will continue to accept and review applications on a space-available basis until September 1st. We will not accept applications after September 1st. The Department of Bioengineering is unable to make any exceptions to this policy.

Because the program is fully distance learning, students do not need a visa to participate in the program. This program does not qualify as full-time study, and does not meet the requirements for an F-1 visa. Students may complete courses from any location with adequate internet access.

Even though a visa is not required, students may still need to apply as international applicants.

You are an international applicant if you are NOT a U.S. citizen, immigrant or green card holder. International students must have a U.S. visa status that allows academic study at the University of Washington. International applicants include students who hold U.S. visas, such as F-1, J-1 Exchange Visitors, H-1, dependent visas or any other non-immigrant classifications.

International candidates are not eligible to apply for Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) status.

International candidates are strongly encouraged to review the UW Graduate School FAQ for International Students.

IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING VISAS: PharBE does not qualify as full-time study, and does not meet the requirements for an F-1 visa.

However, F-1 students currently enrolled full-time in another program, OR prospective students in the U.S. on some other type of visa (not F-1), may be eligible to take a certificate program or course. For complete details, contact an Academic Counselor.

The PharBE priority degree admission deadline is May 10th each year for Autumn Quarter admission. Applicants may apply to the degree on a space-available basis until September 1st. Domestic and International Applicants must complete the Graduate School Application and pay an $85 application fee*.  Applicants may incur additional costs associated with exams, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, GRE, etc.

See ‘Application checklist’ for details on the materials that must accompany the application. All application materials will now be received via the online application unless given explicit directions by the Department or the Graduate School.

*Fees are subject to change at any time.

Official GRE scores – Optional

If choosing to submit, GRE scores must be directly reported from ETS to UW (use institutional code 4854; no department code is required). GRE scores must be valid and five (5) years old or less on the date the application is submitted.

For consideration, official GRE scores must be submitted and properly uploaded into a candidate’s application by the admissions deadline.

Unofficial transcripts

Unofficial transcripts from all institutions attended must be uploaded into the Graduate School online application. Paper transcripts will not be accepted. Candidates should not submit official transcripts unless explicitly requested.

Up-to-date resume or curriculum vitae

Statement of Purpose

The Statement of Purpose is a clear and succinct description of a candidate’s motivations for entering the Pharmaceutical Bioengineering Program and a candidate’s reasons for applying to the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington.

At least two letters of professional recommendation

The application will ask a candidate to address his/her science, engineering, or business skills and his/her ability to complete an advanced degree. Letters of recommendation from supervisors are preferred and can be submitted electronically by recommenders as part of the online application process. Once a candidate designates two people who will write letters of recommendation, each writer will immediately receive an e-mail directing him/her to a secure website where s/he is able submit their recommendation.

Letter of recommendation writers who submit letters online will complete an evaluation form as part of the process.

Candidates can track the status of the letters of recommendation by logging back into the online application.

Up-to-date resume

Statement of Purpose

The Statement of Purpose is a clear and succinct description of a candidate’s motivations for entering the Pharmaceutical Bioengineering Program and a candidate’s reasons for applying to the Department of Bioengineering at the University of Washington.

Official TOEFL scores (or other UW-approved English language proficiency exams)

International candidates who do not meet English proficiency standards (as determined by the UW Graduate School) are required to take the TOEFL or other UW-approved English language proficiency exam. Details about English proficiency exams and who qualifies to waive this requirement are available in the UW Graduate School Policy 3.2.

TOEFL or other UW-approved English proficiency exam results must reported directly from ETS to UW (use institutional code 4854; no department code is required), if required. TOEFL (or other UW-approved English language proficiency exams) must be valid and two (2) years old or less on the date the application is submitted.

An international candidate’s application will not be considered “complete” unless the department receives official TOEFL (or other UW-approved English language proficiency exams) scores by 11:59 p.m. on the deadline.

Candidates should note that it rarely takes less than six weeks for Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send TOEFL scores and for TOEFL scores to be properly uploaded into an application. Candidates should plan to take the TOEFL well in advance of the application deadline to ensure that the official scores are uploaded by the appropriate deadline.

To avoid additional and/or unexpected delays, a candidate’s name should appear with ETS and with the Bioengineering application exactly as it appears on the candidate’s passport.

Additional application materials (official transcripts, financial ability, copy of visa, etc)

The Graduate School only requires additional application materials from international applicants when they are recommended for admission. The Graduate School will contact international candidates directly when additional materials are required. Candidates should not submit additional application materials unless explicitly instructed to do so.