New Master’s Program Prepares Leaders in Biotechnology
Preparing competent, competitive, and ethical leaders, Azusa Pacific’s new Master of Science in Biotechnology equips graduates to make significant contributions to and profoundly influence this emerging science field. Set to launch in fall 2017 with a cohort of 24, the advanced degree distinguishes itself from counterparts at other institutions by approaching the discipline from a distinctly Christian worldview and instilling in students the ability to synthesize human need, potential, and responsibility.

Graduates with this level of training find a wide-open marketplace eager to hire. Jobs in the biomedical industry show an upward trend throughout the country, and particularly in California, home to more than 50 percent of these companies. According to a 2014 report from Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology News, the industry expects significant job growth over the next decade in the areas of epidemiology, bioinformatics and genetic counseling, microbiology, biomedical engineering, and biomedical research. Nestled in the heart of the country’s second-largest cluster of bioscience businesses, APU offers students a distinct advantage that surpasses traditional internships and networking. A collaborative enterprise, this program partners APU with local bioscience companies, including Grifols Biologicals, Gilead Sciences, Johnson & Johnson, Allergan, and others. In addition to technical proficiency, APU’s program also provides industry-critical skills, such as project and program management, communication skills, teamwork, business ethics, and leadership, which produces graduates who are productive employees on the first day of hire in a corporate setting.

Open to students and professionals with bachelor’s degrees in molecular or cellular biology, biochemistry, applied mathematics, statistics, engineering, or computer science, the M.S. in Biotechnology offers a unique approach to the field through the lens of Christian faith and imparts a clear understanding of how believers can participate in and provide guidance to the industry in a way that advances science and glorifies God.