We offer the Certificate in Applied Reproductive Biology as an advanced undergraduate program designed for students nearing completion of their academic training, as well as for qualified post‑baccalaureate applicants.

Undergraduate Students

If you are a Biology major at North Carolina Wesleyan University, you may complete this certificate as part of your undergraduate degree. To be eligible, you must have completed at least 90 credit hours, and most NCWU students enroll in the certificate during their final semester.

Post‑Baccalaureate Students

We also welcome post‑baccalaureate applicants who have earned a B.S. degree in a laboratory science and have completed coursework that aligns with CLIA guidelines. In general, applicants should hold:

• A bachelor’s degree in a laboratory science field
• Appropriate undergraduate coursework consistent with CLIA recommendations
• The specialized laboratory training provided by this certificate

Individual courses may satisfy these requirements, but applicants must demonstrate adequate preparation for intensive laboratory study.

Admission Priority & Review Process

NCWU Biology majors with senior standing (90+ credits) and recent NCWU graduates with a minimum 3.0 GPA receive preferential admission. These applicants are typically admitted upon application, provided they meet the program’s published priority deadlines.

If the priority deadline is missed, applicants may still be considered as space allows. If a cohort is full, qualified applicants may be deferred to a future term.

Applicants from other institutions who hold a B.S. in a laboratory science must apply by the priority deadline. Admission decisions are based on credential review and space availability for the upcoming term.

Application Evaluation Criteria

For applicants who meet the priority deadline, we may consider the following during the review process:

• Completion of prerequisite coursework, including a B.S. in a laboratory science and recommended CLIA‑aligned coursework
• Overall academic performance, with a general expectation of a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Review of résumé, work experience, and internships to assess readiness for an intensive program
• Quality and alignment of the personal statement
• Completion of an interview (typically conducted remotely via video conference), if requested by the program coordinator or admissions committee

Applicants who meet all prerequisites but are not admitted due to capacity constraints may be deferred to a later term.

Additional Requirements & Notifications

Applicants who do not meet GPA expectations or who lack key coursework aligned with CLIA guidelines may be asked to:

• Submit supplemental materials demonstrating preparation, or
• Complete additional prerequisite coursework prior to enrollment

Applicants can expect to receive one of the following shortly after the priority deadline:

• An offer of admission
• Waitlist notification
• A request for additional information or prerequisites
• A denial of admission

We may review applications using unofficial transcripts, but all admitted students must submit official undergraduate transcripts no later than the first day of the term to confirm enrollment.

Important Policies

Any misrepresentation of academic records may result in rescission of admission. All tuition and fees for the Applied Reproductive Biology Certificate must be paid before the first day of class OR a confirmed payment plan/loans established at least 2-weeks before classes start.