What if you could immerse yourself in the world of biotechnology, working with pharma, healthcare, and biotech companies for the betterment of society? At Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) in Claremont, CA, our Master of Business and Science program prepares graduates for successful careers in the biotech industry.

Coursework allows students to achieve depth in an area that closely follows a specific industry career path. All students complete a paid summer internship and a year-long industry capstone project, which offers participation in real-world industry experiences and interaction with industry leaders. Specialized concentrations provide in-depth knowledge of specific functional areas of the bioscience industry. Plus, KGI students earn 100% job placement or postgraduate plans within six months of graduation.

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Program Quick Facts

Fact
Details
Program length
It takes four semesters (two years) to complete the MBS program.
Full or part-time program
The MBS program is a full-time program with classes during the day.
Online or in-person classes
All classes are done in-person.
Summer experience
During the summer of the first year, students complete a paid internship.
Electives
Beginning in the spring of the first year, and continuing through the second year, students select electives to focus-in on a particular field of interest.
Capstone requirements
During the second year, student complete a capstone project called the Team Master’s Project.

MBS Program Details

  • The Master of Business and Science program is a two-year professional program housed within the Henry E. Riggs School of Applied Life Sciences. Highlights of the program include:

    • A world-class curriculum integrating industry-oriented technical courses and MBA-style business courses
    • Exposure to the biotech industry through hands-on projects sponsored by leading life science companies, concluding with a Team Master’s Project
    • Outstanding job placement rates with 100% of graduates starting jobs or going on to additional postgraduate work within six months of graduation
    • Access to a large network of more than 1,000 MBS alumni employed in industry, eager to connect with and help current students

  • The MBS program is purpose-built to immerse students in the bioscience industries. Courses are taught by unique faculty that possess industry experience, are bioscience management experts, or are translational scientists active in the development and commercialization of biomedical innovations.

    Most classes at KGI contain industry-oriented projects, often with direct involvement of companies. All MBS students complete a paid summer internship and complete a year-long industry-sponsored capstone Team Master’s Project.

    Learn more about the curriculum

  • Here are the top functional areas for KGI graduates from the MBS program:

    • Consulting
    • Project management
    • Marketing / sales
    • Market analysis / competitive intelligence
    • Business development
    • Clinical / regulatory
    • Research and development
    • Manufacturing operations
    • Quality assurance
    • Supply chain
    • Bioprocessing

  • Industry are also involved in frequent campus events. These include:

    • A wide-ranging industry speaker series
    • Company recruitment events
    • Industry spotlight day workshops
    • Networking opportunities

    All MBS students also complete a professional development course run by KGI’s office of career services. The course features hands-on workshops where students can meet industry professionals to create effective resumes, learn how to successfully apply for jobs, and perfect their interviewing skills.

    • Most MBS students come to KGI after completing an undergraduate life science oriented degree (biology, chemistry, bioengineering)
    • High-achieving students from non life science majors (psychology, economics) who have taken molecular biology and biochemistry
    • Industry experience is welcome, but not required
    • While the program has a strong bioscience industry focus, entering students do not need a background in business

    KGI has articulation agreements with more than 30 universities, helping to streamline the admissions process. Please contact KGI’s admissions team to see if your school is participating.

  • We measure the success of our program by the successes of our alumni, and we are proud to share our record of achievement.

    • 90% of alumni placed in industry within six months of graduation
    • 70% of graduates earn their first job through a direct KGI connection
    • Alumni 3+ years post-graduation have an average salary of more than $150,000

    But there is more to success than just numbers. Read about our alumni and their experiences by visiting our alumni news page.

How to Pay for Graduate School

According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of a Master’s degree (as of August 2023) is $65,134. Rates vary widely by type of school (private vs public), program, and […]

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MBS Program Director and Professor Dr. Joel West Announces Retirement, Celebrating 12 Years at KGI

After 12 years of serving Keck Graduate Institute (KGI), Dr. Joel West—Director of KGI’s Master of Business and Science (MBS) program and Professor of Innovation & Entrepreneurship— has announced his retirement. Although some […]

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MBS Alumna Stephanie Lee Earns Outstanding Early Career Professional Award, Celebrating Contributions to the PDA and Flourishing Career at Amgen

Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) alumna Stephanie Lee, MBS ’21, recently won the Outstanding Early Career Professional (ECP) Award from the nonprofit Parenteral Drug Association (PDA), the leading global provider of science, technology, and regulatory […]

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#156—Dr. Joel West on the Master of Business and Science and the New Online Certificate in Bioscience Management Program

The Certificate in Bioscience Management (CBM) of Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) was recently approved for online delivery by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). This change will take effect in […]

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"Often, scientists get caught up in small details. KGI taught me to take a bird’s-eye view. That perspective gives me an edge. I can simultaneously understand the science as well as the business side of my work."
Harish Dharuri
Bioinformatics Scientist, Illumina
Master of Business and Science, '02

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If there’s anything we can do, be sure to connect with our admissions team. You can also check out more information on cost and aid and how to apply.