Are there online degrees available for microbiology?
Question
A classmate once mentioned they were thinking about studying microbiology online, which made me wonder if that’s even possible. So I looked into it, and it turns out there are online options — just not always in the way you’d expect. This answer gives a solid overview of what kinds of microbiology-related degrees are actually available online and what to watch out for.
Answer ( 1 )
Associate Degrees
Bachelor of Science (BS)
Master of Science (MS)
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Certificates
Considerations for Online Microbiology Programs
While fully online degrees requiring extensive lab work (especially BS and PhD in core Microbiology) are rare, various online options exist, particularly at the Master’s and certificate levels, and in related fields or specializations that are less lab-intensive (e.g., bioinformatics, public health). It’s essential to research programs carefully to understand their structure, lab requirements, accreditation, and suitability for specific career goals.
Source: University program websites; Online education directories (e.g., edX, Coursera for individual courses); Professional society resources (e.g., ASM).