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Master of Science in Biology

Biologists study the organisms and wildlife of regional environments, aid in the protection and survival of wildlife within any given ecosystem, and assess the impact of human activity on the environment. Governors State’s Master of Science in Biology, prepares students to work as professional biologists with a strong environmental emphasis. GSU’s unique location, where urban and rural areas meet, allows students to explore a diverse range of complex environments close to campus.

Conduct research in animal research labs and a field station located right on the GSU campus, or take advantage of university-facilitated research opportunities in DNA and molecular biology at locations such as the Field Museum and Pritzker Lab. Culminate your research in a thesis, or take advantage of internships available at agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Illinois Department of Natural Resources, Forest Preserve District of Will County, Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore, Brookfield Zoo, and Argonne National Laboratory.

Intakes

Application Processing Time in Days: 30

Minimum English Language Requirements

English Level Description	IELTS (1.0 -9.0)	TOEFL IBT (0-120)	TOEFL CBT (0-300)	PTE (10-90)
Expert	9	120	297-300	86-90
Very Good	8.5	115-119	280-293	83-86
Very Good	8	110-114	270-280	79-83
Good	7.5	102-109	253-267	73-79
Good	7	94-101	240-253	65-73
Competent	6.5	79-93	213-233	58-65
Competent	6	60-78	170-210	50-58
Modest	5.5	46-59	133-210	43-50
Modest	5	35-45	107-133	36-43
Limited	4	32-34	97-103	30-36
Extremely Limited	< 4	< 31	< 93	< 30

Job Opportunity Potential

Job Opportunity Potential at Governors State University (GSU)

Chicago Proximity – Located near Chicago, a major hub for business, technology, healthcare, and logistics.

STEM & Business Careers – Strong demand for graduates in Computer Science, Information Technology, Data Analytics, and Business (MBA, Accounting, Finance).

Healthcare Pathways – GSU is well-known for Nursing, Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy, and Health Administration, with excellent placement in hospitals and clinics.

Internships & Co-ops – Access to internships with Fortune 500 companies and Chicago-based firms in finance, consulting, tech, and manufacturing.

OPT & STEM OPT – Eligible programs provide up to 3 years of work authorization in the U.S. after graduation.

Teaching & Counseling – Education, Social Work, and Counseling programs prepare students for careers in schools, universities, and community organizations.

Government & Non-profit Careers – Public Administration and Leadership graduates often find roles in policy, community development, and NGOs.

Entrepreneurship Support – GSU’s Small Business Development Center helps students start and grow businesses.

Networking – Strong alumni network and career fairs connect students with employers in Illinois and nationwide.

On-Campus Jobs – Opportunities to work up to 20 hours per week while studying.

PSW Opportunity

Post-Study Work visa or permit, allowing international students on F-1 visas to work in the US after completing their studies, typically through Optional Practical Training (OPT).

Eligibility:
To be eligible for OPT, students must have been enrolled full-time in a US educational institution for at least one academic year and be seeking work related to their major.

Duration:
Students can apply for up to 12 months of OPT, either before they finish their studies (pre-completion) or after graduation (post-completion).

STEM OPT:
Students in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) fields can apply for an extended OPT period of up to 24 months.

Contact our PSA counselor for more information

Admission Requirement / Eligibility Criteria

To apply for a Master’s or Doctoral program at GSU, international applicants generally must satisfy the following:

Bachelor’s degree

You need a bachelor’s degree (or equivalent) from a regionally accredited institution. If your degree is from outside the U.S., you must have it evaluated (course-by-course) by a member of NACES (National Association of Credential Evaluation Services).

There may also be minimum GPA criteria depending on the college/program, e.g. the College of Business expects a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0 (on the U.S. 4.0 scale) over the last 60 credit hours of undergraduate study.

The minimum acceptable score for IELTS (Academic version) for Graduate level is 6.0.

TOEFL Format = 80

For PTE, the required minimum is 53.

Governors State University

University Park , Illinois ,United States