FAQ: What Are the Benefits of an MBA With a Biology Degree?

Updated June 24, 2022

A biology degree prepares you for research and lab work, whereas a Master of Business Administration prepares you to manage a company. Completing both degrees can provide you with even more employment opportunities, helping you pursue a career as a leader in the sciences. If you are considering both degrees, it's helpful to consider why you might choose both and what career options are available after graduation. In this article, we discuss the benefits of getting an MBA with a biology degree, as well as a few jobs that you can pursue with both.

Can you get an MBA with a biology degree?

You can get an MBA with a biology degree as a prerequisite. While a bachelor's degree is a requirement to apply to most MBA programs, it is not usually a requirement to have a degree in business. However, you may need a foundation of business classes before applying to an MBA program if your degree is in anything besides business.

If you want to pursue a career in biology as a project or business manager, you may find it beneficial to complete both a biology degree and an MBA. In some cases, you can also work toward both degrees concurrently. Some programs offer a dual degree, which means that you can work toward both an MBA and a biology degree at the same time. This allows you to complete both degrees in a shorter time and it may cost less to complete all educational requirements.

Related: Is an MBA Right for Me?

What are the benefits of getting an MBA with a biology degree?

If you have career goals that include biology and management, an MBA can help. Getting a biology degree and then an MBA prepares you to work in biotechnology or pharmaceutical positions. It also prepares you to lead teams or projects. Getting an MBA with a biology degree offers the following benefits:

Competitive candidate: Completing an MBA and a biology degree can make you a competitive candidate. This can help you stand out against other candidates when applying to open positions.
Diverse skill set: With a background in biology and business, you have the ability to understand both sides of a business. This diverse skill set can make you an asset to the company where you work.
Promotion eligibility: With skills that help you understand the obstacles and goals of projects, as well as how to monitor regulations and plan funding, you are more likely to be eligible for promotions.
Career opportunities: With a background in science and business, you may have more career opportunities available. If you choose to change career paths, you may already have the skills you need.

What jobs can you pursue with an MBA and biology degree?

You can pursue the following jobs with an MBA and a biology degree:

1. Sales account manager

National average salary:$56,8 per year

Primary duties: Sales account managers with a background in biology can help manage accounts in a research or lab environment. They may work with current clients in biosales, while also increasing the company's revenue through new client sales. The in-depth knowledge from a biology degree can help account managers provide value and answer client questions during the process.

2. Business manager

National average salary:$65,155 per year

Primary duties:Business managers are supervisors or team leaders who manage the day-to-day duties of a business. These professionals often hire new staff, conduct meetings and implement practices for productivity and employee satisfaction. In a biological setting, they might oversee a team of researchers or developers.

3. Financial analyst

National average salary:$69, 029 per year

Primary duties:Financial analysts guide businesses in making important financial decisions. With a background in biology and MBA training in finance, this prepares graduates to offer professional consultation to pharmaceutical or biosales companies.

4. Regulatory quality control specialist

National average salary:$76,071 per year

Primary duties: Regulatory quality control specialists monitor a company's research processes to ensure they meet all federal and local regulations. They monitor changes to regulations and ensure that all products are free of harm to consumers. They may also make recommendations to improve research efficiency.

5. Project manager

National average salary: $77,313 per year

Primary duties: Project managers in the pharmaceutical industry oversee product development, finances and quality control of projects. They may also work in planning and implementing projects as both biology knowledge and business administration skills are beneficial to completing projects.

6. Scientist

National average salary:$92,229 per year

Primary duties: Scientists work in all different environments, conducting research and lab experiments. In a biological setting, they may study plants, animals or how the environment reacts to living beings.

7. Product manager

National average salary:$98,598 per year

Primary duties: Product managers manage the development or research of new products. In a biology or scientific setting, this may include uncovering new products to solve problems. It may also include setting up tests to identify new products for customers.

8. Biotechnology management

National average salary:$100,000 per year

Primary duties: Biotechnology managers monitor regulatory requirements for projects. They also assist companies in obtaining funding for ongoing research and projects. They may also work in pharmaceuticals, uncovering new treatments for biological disorders, either by managing ongoing projects or identifying needs in the market.

What are some tips for pursuing an MBA with a biology degree?

If you are considering pursuing an MBA in addition to a biology degree, consider these tips which can help you prepare for your ideal career:

Plan ahead.Planning ahead helps you determine the best educational and career path to meet your intended career goals. Look into programs you're interested in attending for an MBA to ensure that you meet the prerequisites, as you may need to take additional classes in business to be eligible for the MBA program.
Research positions.It can also be helpful to consider the minimum expectations for the specific careers you're interested in pursuing. Review job descriptions to find out what educational background or prior work experience employers require.
Highlight experience and skills of both.When applying to positions with a biology degree and an MBA, be sure to highlight the experience and skills of both, while noting how they correlate.
Consider an internship.An internship can help you decide if an MBA is right for you after completing a biology degree. Pursue an internship in a position that combines both biology and MBA skills.