Admission Steps

Degrees and GPA Requirements

Bachelors degree: All graduate applicants must hold an earned baccalaureate from a regionally accredited college or university or the recognized equivalent from an international institution.

University GPA requirement: The minimum grade point average for admission consideration for graduate study at the University of Denver must meet one of the following criteria:

• A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the baccalaureate degree.

• A cumulative 2.5 on a 4.0 scale for the last 60 semester credits or 90 quarter credits (approximately two years of work) for the baccalaureate degree.

• An earned master’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited institution or the recognized equivalent from an international institution supersedes the minimum GPA requirement for the baccalaureate.

• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale for all graduate coursework completed for applicants who have not earned a master’s degree or higher.

Program GPA requirement: 2.5 on a 4.0 scale

Prerequisites

Applicants must earn and submit proof of earning the equivalent of a baccalaureate degree in biology, biochemistry, biomedical sciences or a related field from a regionally accredited institution prior to beginning graduate coursework at DU. Students with an undergraduate major in chemistry, physics or mathematics and minimal preparation in biological sciences will also be considered but may be required to take undergraduate courses when the prerequisites are lacking. Course prerequisites include: two years of biology and one year of chemistry, one year of calculus (recommended), and one year of physics (recommended).

Additional Standards for Non-Native English Speakers

Official scores from the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), C1 Advanced or Duolingo English Test are required of all graduate applicants, regardless of citizenship status, whose native language is not English or who have been educated in countries where English is not the native language. Your TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test scores are valid for two years from the test date.

The minimum TOEFL/IELTS/C1 Advanced/Duolingo English Test score requirements for this degree program are:

• Minimum TOEFL Score (Internet-based test): 80

• Minimum IELTS Score: 6.5

• Minimum C1 Advanced Score: 176

• Minimum Duolingo English Test Score: 115

Additional Information:

• Read the English Language Proficiency policy for more details.

• Read the Required Tests for GTA Eligibility policy for more details.

Additional Standards for International Applicants

Per Student & Exchange Visitor Program (SEVP) regulation, international applicants must meet all standards for admission before an I-20 or DS-2019 is issued, [per U.S. Federal Register: 8 CFR § 214.3(k)] or is academically eligible for admission and is admitted [per 22 C.F.R. §62]. Read the Additional Standards For International Applicants policy for more details.