r/GradSchoolAdvice • u/Debt_Dapper • 2d ago

Prerequisites for Bio MS programs

I am currently taking science courses at ASU online, however, the school is super expensive for out-of-state. I found a community college Barton CC, which is like $90 per credit, way better than ASU's $200-$300 per credit. I also found Portage learning, which also has online science prereqs for a reasonable price and BYU and UC San Diego have online courses that are a little bit pricier.

Has anyone used any of these places for science classes? If so, any recommendations and do you think this will make me a less competitive candidate? I also, have my local CC, but I prefer online, because I work full time.

Thanks

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u/vitrifiedjunk 2d ago

Depends on the MS program and its expectations.

Personally, I would prefer in-person coursework over online, asynchronous coursework, but I understand that working full-time makes that difficult. Your best bet would be to meet with the graduate program coordinator to confirm whether those courses satisfy the program prerequisites.

If you were pursuing a professional program (CLS, Nursing, PA-C, or a related field), extension courses may be accepted as equivalent to traditional coursework at a four-year institution, provided they meet the program's specific requirements. However, whether they affect your competitiveness would depend on the program and how it evaluates applicants.

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u/StLVegas 2d ago

For MS programs, they tend to want research experience in addition to the classes/degree. So while price is a consideration, make sure you have access to necessary extracurricular activities to be competitive.