{"id":106,"date":"2024-02-13T14:26:55","date_gmt":"2024-02-13T21:26:55","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/biomimicry-center\/?page_id=106"},"modified":"2025-06-02T18:16:21","modified_gmt":"2025-06-03T01:16:21","slug":"graduate-program-faqs","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/globalfutures.asu.edu\/biomimicry-center\/graduate-program-faqs\/","title":{"rendered":"Graduate Program FAQs"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
<\/div>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\n

Program information<\/h2>\n\n\n
\n\t\n\n
\n\t\t\t\n\n
\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/i>What biomimicry programs are available?<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\n\t\n\n

The Biomimicry Center currently offers two graduate-level programs online, with additional on-campus programs in development. One is a Master\u2019s of Science degree in biomimicry<\/a> and the other is Graduate Certificate in biomimicry<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/i>What if I am not sure which program is right for me?<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\n\t\n\n

If you need help deciding which program is better for you, start here.<\/a> The beginning of this video goes over both programs at ASU and then goes over the Biomimicry Professional and Biomimicry Specialist program offered by our partners at Biomimicry 3.8. You can also read much more on our education page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/i>Can I enroll in the graduate certificate at the same time as the MS degree? Is dual enrollment allowed?<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\n\t\n\n

The programs are designed to be nested. The first 13 credits of the 15 credit certificate are the same as the MS program. You can choose to earn both the certificate and the MS, but the last two-credits earned for BMY 530 will not count towards the MS requirement of 30 credits. (You can either take BMY 530 again with a new topic near the end of your MS or choose the other three practicums.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you want to switch from the certificate to the MS, the earlier you apply to the MS the better since there is a 12-credit pre-admission policy to degree programs. If you have completed more than 12-credits prior to being admitted to the MS, you will have to petition and ask special permission to bring in more than the 12-credits allowed\u2026 while this can happen, it does mean a bit more back and forth to get things approved, so the best course of action would be to apply to the MS prior to hitting that 12-credit threshold.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you know for sure you want to do both, your safest path is to enroll in both the certificate and MS right from the start together (or as soon as possible after admission to one), then there will never be a pre-admission issue. If you choose not to go on for the MS you can leave when the certificate is complete, OR continue on and earn both credentials. There is a 40% rule for pre-admission to a certificate, so having a MS student apply to a certificate after all the required credits are earned would be against policy.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/i>How is the minimum and maximum time it will take me to complete the graduate certificate and the MS degree?<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\n\t\n\n

Full-time graduate students should aim to finish a master\u2019s program within 2-2.5 years. However, the program is designed for working professionals, who likely will be taking just three-four credits\/semester. In this latter case, you can expect 10 semesters (3.3 years) to graduate. You technically have five years to complete your MS, but you must be enrolled for at least one credit per semester (not counting summer).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Students pursuing the graduate certificate can expect to finish in as few as four semesters (including summer), taking one class per semester.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/i>Is there an accelerated track for either program?<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\n\t\n\n

You may request permission to simultaneous take BMY 501 (one credit) with another course, in spring, summer or fall of your first semester. Based on the recommended order (and availability) of courses, the certificate requires four semesters. It is possible to take the MS in four semesters but you will not benefit from the recommendations on course order.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Please note that the classes are scheduled to accommodate part-time enrollment. We encourage people to complete their studies at a half-time basis in order to experience the highest quality the program has to offer. You are allowed to move along faster, however, you might find that some courses might not be offered every semester.<\/p>\n\n<\/div>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n

\n\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t <\/i>What is the expected workload?<\/span><\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/h3>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t
\n
\n\t\n\n