Online Master’s in Immunology

The online Master of Science in Immunology program provides the enhanced educational credentials you need for basic discovery, translational, and clinical research careers related to infectious and inflammatory disease, as well as other immunologic problems pursued in government, industry and academic environments. This immunology degree provides a specialized focus on research and development relevant to new immunodiagnostics, immunotherapeutics, and vaccines to prevent and/or treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, influenza, malaria, and many other viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens. 

During this immunology graduate program, you will learn:

• Animal model development and use, basic discovery, and biological containment laboratories
• Immune response mechanisms
• Immunologic redundancy
• Immunomodulators and immune response modifiers
• Immunotherapeutic and vaccine target identification
• Innate and adaptive immune escape mechanisms
• Vaccine discovery and development

Program Features

• 100% online
• Geared toward careers related to infectious and inflammatory disease
• Designed to accommodate a variety of different academic and career backgrounds, allowing for flexibility on multiple levels
• Taught by expert faculty from Drexel University College of Medicine's Department of Microbiology and Immunology
• A hands-on research internship experience that can be taken at Drexel or an approved location near you

What Can I Do With a Degree in Immunology?

How Do I Become an Immunologist?

If you are interested in becoming an immunologist, you will need to pursue your medical degree and then specialize in immunology. Drexel’s MS in Immunology prepares you for future success in basic discovery, translational, and clinical research careers related to immunology, immunopathology, and infectious and inflammatory disease.

While some graduates continue on to pursue a PhD, others find roles as scientists or research associates in academic, government, and biomedical and pharmaceutical settings. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and more often hire candidates with a background in immunology for positions such as:

• Director, Immunology Research
• Research Technician
• Immunology Research Associate
• Immunology Research Scientist
• Associate Scientist, R&D Immunology

How Long Does It Take to Complete an MS in Immunology?

A total of 36 semester credits is required to complete the online Master’s in Immunology. This immunology degree is designed to be completed full-time in two years (four semesters), or part-time in four years.

Admission Requirements for the Online MS in Immunology

To be considered for Drexel’s online MS in Immunology, you should have a four-year biology or chemistry-based bachelor's degree. Within your academic background, you should have coursework in biology, microbiology, immunology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, and/or other related subjects. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is preferred, but lower GPAs will be considered if other strengths are apparent in your application.

MS in Immunology Salary Expectations

Many factors can impact your salary in the immunology research field – your experience, whether you work in an academic, government, or a biomedical or pharmaceutical setting, your exact title, etc. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical scientists make, on average, about $100,590 per year. The job outlook is faster than the average with jobs expected to grow 9% by 2034 in this field.

Related Programs

• MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management
• MS in Drug Discovery and Development
• MS in Infectious Disease
• MS in Molecular Medicine

Drexel University offers a variety of Graduate Minors that can be added to any master's degree program.
State restrictions may apply to some programs.