Online Master’s in Infectious Disease

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

• Developments in COVID-19 Therapeutics
• Immune Therapies for Prevention of Clostridium Difficile Associated Disease
• Will We Actually Have a COVID-19 Vaccine in 12-18 Months?

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.