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Online Master’s in Infectious Disease
Classes Begin: January 5, 20262 years
Fully Online
36
No GRE required
The Master of Science in Infectious Disease program provides graduate-level training in the fundamentals of molecular biology, cell biology, and immunology, as well as basic, translational, and clinical aspects of diseases caused by important infectious pathogens, including SARS-CoV-2, HIV, methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA), malarial parasites, and influenza virus.
Select from highly-focused study topics, including:
- Emerging pathogens
- Experimental therapeutics
- Principles of biocontainment
- Vaccines and vaccine development
- Viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens
Program Features
- 100% online
- Prepares you for a career in infectious disease in government, industry, and academic environments, and is ideally suited for enhancing scientific credentials
- Taught by expert faculty from Drexel University College of Medicine's Department of Microbiology and Immunology, and Institute for Molecular Medicine and Infectious Disease.
- No thesis required
Infectious Disease Research Internship
Offered as an elective in the curriculum, the Research Internship in Infectious Disease course can involve you one or more types of infectious disease research:
- Basic discovery involving infectious bacterial, viral, fungal or parasitic pathogens that cause human disease
- Translational research focused on the development of new approaches to diagnose, prevent, or treat infectious diseases
- Clinical infectious disease research focused on infectious diseases in humans
Learn more about Drexel University College of Medicine's Research Opportunities.
What Can You Do With a Masters In Infectious Disease?
Drexel’s online MS in Infectious Disease prepares you for an array of career and post-graduate education options. For those interested in continuing their education, the MS can act as a stepping stone for PhD training. For those looking to enter the workforce, Drexel graduates have found success in clinical laboratories, biotechnology companies, and contract research organizations (CRO) that provide support to pharmaceutical and biotechnology industries.
What is the Study of Infectious Diseases?
What is Immunology and Infectious disease?
Immunology and the study of infectious disease examine the way the body responds to, and protects itself from, pathogens.
Drexel's program emphasizes research and development efforts focused on new diagnostics, therapeutics, and vaccines used to prevent and/or treat infectious diseases such as COVID-19, HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, influenza, malaria, and other diseases caused by viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens.
The infectious disease graduate program has three signature elements in its curriculum:
- Introduction to Infectious Disease – Provides a comprehensive overview of bacterial, fungal, parasitic, and viral pathogens with emphasis on their transmission, pathogenesis, clinical presentation, prevention, and treatment
- Clinical Correlations in Infectious Disease – Features researchers and clinicians at the College of Medicine who talk about their active research programs in the field of infectious disease
- Research Internship in Infectious Disease – Involves you in basic, translational, or clinical research in the field of infectious disease at laboratories here at the College of Medicine or in other academic, industry, or biotechnology settings
How Long Does It Take to Complete an MS in Infectious Disease?
A minimum of 36.0 credits are required to complete the online MS in Infectious Disease. This program runs on a semester schedule, and can be completed full-time in four semesters (about 21 months). It can also be completed on a part-time basis, which typically takes three years or more, depending on how many classes you choose to take per semester.
MS in Infectious Disease Salary Expectations
After completing your MS in Infectious Disease, you will be prepared to enter into careers throughout the industry. A few common job titles and salaries* are listed below:
- Medical Scientist - $100,590
- Clinical Laboratory Technician - $61,890
*Bureau of Labor Statistics
MS in Infectious Disease Webinars
Related Programs
- MS in Clinical Research Organization and Management
- MS in Drug Discovery and Development
- MS in Immunology
- MS in Infection Prevention and Control
- 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.
Curriculum
The curriculum for the online MS in Infectious Disease program consists of 24 credits of required courses and 12 or more credits of elective courses. At least 36.0 credits are required to complete the program and earn a Master's Degree in Infectious Disease.
The program can be completed on a full-time basis in four semesters (approximately 21 months) or on a part-time basis over three or more years. A minimum of 4.5 credits per semester is required to qualify for federal financial aid.
Although most students apply for entry into the program starting in the fall semester, we also consider applications from students who would like to begin their studies in the spring semester (which starts in the first week of January).
Courses
Each course with an MIIM or IDPT designation is offered by the Drexel University College of Medicine and is taught on a semester schedule (fall and spring). Course availability varies; most courses are only offered once per academic year.
| Required Courses | ||
| IDPT 500S | Responsible Conduct of Research | 2.0 |
| or MIIM 503S | Biomedical Ethics | |
| IDPT 501S | Biostatistics I | 2.0 |
| or MIIM 517S | Applied Statistics for Biomedical Sciences | |
| MIIM 527S | Immunology, Immunopathology and Infectious Diseases | 3.0 |
| MIIM 530S | Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine I | 3.0 |
| MIIM 531S | Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine II | 2.0 |
| MIIM 533S | Molecular Medicine Journal Club II | 1.0 |
| MIIM 534S | Molecular Medicine Journal Club I | 1.0 |
| MIIM 545S | Introduction to Infectious Diseases | 4.0 |
| MIIM 606S | Microbiology and Immunology Seminar | 1.0 |
| MIIM 653S | Clinical Correlations in Infectious Disease | 3.0 |
| Electives | 14.0 | |
|
MIIM 520S
|
Science Communication and Outreach | |
|
MIIM 521S
|
Biotechniques I: Molecular and Genomic Methods | |
|
MIIM 522S
|
Biotechniques II: Immunological Methods | |
|
MIIM 524S
|
Vaccines and Vaccine Development | |
|
MIIM 525S
|
Principles of Biocontainment | |
|
MIIM 532S
|
Fundamentals of Molecular Medicine III | |
|
MIIM 540S
|
Viruses and Viral Infections | |
|
MIIM 541S
|
Bacteria and Bacterial Infections | |
|
MIIM 542S
|
Mycology and Fungal Infections | |
|
MIIM 543S
|
Parasitology and Parasitic Diseases | |
|
MIIM 555S
|
Molecular Mechanisms of Microbial Pathogens | |
|
MIIM 613S
|
Emerging Infectious Diseases | |
|
MIIM 621S
|
Biotechniques and Laboratory Research I | |
|
MIIM 622S
|
Biotechniques and Laboratory Research II | |
|
MIIM 625S
|
Advanced Molecular Virology | |
|
MIIM 652S
|
Research Internship in Infectious Disease | |
|
MIIM 655S
|
Emerging Biomedical Interventions for Human Disease | |
|
MIIM 660S
|
Current Concepts in Molecular Medicine I | |
|
MLAS 529S
|
Molecular Genetics | |
| Total Credits | 36.0 | |
Admissions Criteria
- A four-year biology or chemistry-based bachelor's degree with coursework in biology, microbiology, immunology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, and/or other related subjects
- Cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- Lower GPA's will be considered if other strengths are apparent in your application
Required Documents
With multiple ways to submit documents, Drexel makes it easy to complete your application. Learn more by visiting our Completing Your Application Guide.
- A completed application
- Official transcripts from all universities or colleges and other post-secondary educational institutions (including trade schools) attended
- Two letters of recommendation (professional or academic)
- Personal statement (approximately 500 words) that addresses your:
- Reasons for pursuing a degree from Drexel,
- Short and long-term career plans, and
- Vision of how your background, experience, interests, and/or values, when combined with a Drexel degree, will enable you to pursue these goals successfully
- Resume or Curriculum Vitae
- Additional requirements for International Students
Additional Recommended Documents
- Standardized test scores are not required, but highly recommended in order to make your application more competitive
- Score reports accepted: GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT
- Drexel's school code is 2194
Tuition
The tuition rate for the academic year 2025-2026 is $1830 per credit.
For the academic year 2025-2026, students enrolled in an online graduate academic program will be charged a graduate online program fee of $125 per year.
- This program is eligible for Financial Aid.
- Special tuition rates available for Drexel University Alumni, Military members, and members of our Partner Organizations.
- These rates apply only to new online students and students being readmitted.
- These rates apply only to fully online courses. Hybrid or on-campus courses may have different rates.
- Tuition rates are subject to increase with the start of each academic year in the fall term.
- All students must contact applyDUonline@drexel.edu within the first two weeks of the term to request tuition savings for which they qualify.
- Special rates cannot be combined. If you qualify for more than one special rate, you'll be given the one with the largest savings.
- When receiving special tuition plans with Drexel University Online, you may not combine them with other tuition benefits that may be available from Drexel University.
Academic Calendar
2025-2026 Academic Year
Term
Classes Begin
Classes End
Fall 2025
August 18, 2025
December 12, 2025
Spring 2026
January 5, 2026
May 1, 2026
Summer 2026
May 11, 2026
August 7, 2026
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