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Advance Your Career in Infectious Disease

The world is filled with complex challenges posed by infectious disease, and we need talented individuals to solve them. The Master of Science and Ph.D. program in Global Infectious Disease at Georgetown University educates students in the science and research of infectious disease, with a focused concentration in either policy or data science. You will gain expertise in identifying and understanding research in order to translate it for policymakers, industry leaders and the public. This comprehensive program will position you at the intersection of policy, data and research: allowing you to tackle infectious diseases from multiple angles and inform infectious disease policy on a global scale.

No GRE
Required
Full-Time & Part-Time Study Options
Merit Aid
Available

Application Deadlines

December 1

Ph.D. deadline for Fall 2024 start

January 15

Priority deadline for merit aid

Waived application fee!

April 1

Final deadline for Fall 2024 start

Curriculum that Integrates Theory and Applied Skills

The Global Infectious Disease program curriculum will equip you with a strong academic foundation and interdisciplinary training in infectious disease. You will explore the many ways that practitioners are approaching global infectious disease problems, through disciplines like epidemiology, mathematical modeling and diplomacy to advance health outcomes. By choosing your concentration, electives and extracurricular activities, you can align the program with your specific interests, developing the skills needed to pursue your passion and make a positive impact in the field of infectious disease.

professor instructing a class

Choose from Two Programs

Master of Science

Georgetown’s Global Infectious Disease Masters program supports professional growth toward infectious disease careers, producing graduates who are astute consumers of infectious disease research and data. Students have the ability to choose a concentration in Science Policy or Modeling.

Doctor of Philosophy

The Ph.D. program provides a path for students wishing to pursue careers in research. Our emphasis on the intersection among biological sciences, data and policy will allow graduates to enter academia, government and other sectors to address real-world challenges in infectious disease.

Faculty Who Practice What They Teach

Our diverse faculty bring decades of combined expertise in sciences, medicine, public health and policy. You will work closely with faculty, forming professional connections and preparing for a career to take infectious disease challenges head-on.

Christian Hunter, M.D.

Program Director, M.S. in Global Infectious Disease
Professor of Medicine

Dr. Hunter worked full-time in Namibia starting in 2012 as part of the team establishing the first School of Medicine in the country, and went on to join the faculty at the school. His current research activities include funded projects around human physiology education, student safety in high risk environments, novel technology for assessment of malnutrition in children and snakebite injury.

Headshot of Babatunji Oni

Babatunji Oni, M.D.

Assistant Professor of Medicine

Dr. Oni is a physician with training in business administration, public health and project management committed to the cause of expanding global health equity and improving the quality of clinical care and outcomes. His involvement in global health and international development began by delivering free healthcare services to underserved populations in rural communities across Africa.

Headshot of Rebecca Katz

Rebecca Katz, Ph.D.

Professor of Microbiology and Immunology
Director, Center for Global Health Science and Security

Dr. Katz is a Professor and Director of the Center for Global Health Science and Security, and holds joint appointments in Georgetown University Medical Center and the School of Foreign Service. She teaches courses on global health diplomacy, global health security, and emerging infectious diseases in the Science, Technology & International Affairs, Security Studies, and Global Infectious Disease Programs.

Headshot of Steven M. Singer

Steven M. Singer, Ph.D.

Program Director, Ph.D. in Global Infectious Disease
Professor of Biology

Dr. Singer has worked at Georgetown since 1999. His research is focused on understanding mucosal immunity and applying that understanding to improve human and animal health. His laboratory, The Singer Lab, specializes in experimental studies with the protozoan parasite Giardia duodenalis.

What Makes Us Unique

Addressing complex public health issues requires a comprehensive understanding of both hard science and science policy. While many programs focus on one or the other, Georgetown’s Global Infectious Disease program provides a solid foundation in both. With our intimate program size, you will become part of a close-knit community of scholars. This will allow you to collaborate with peers and faculty from diverse backgrounds and engage in valuable mentorship opportunities. While you carve your own path to impact change, the Georgetown community will support you along the way. 

Georgetown provides unparalleled opportunities for learning, both inside and outside the classroom. Thanks to our location in Washington, DC, a hub for global health policy, our program attracts seasoned, successful practitioners as professors and guest speakers. You will learn how global health organizations function from those who are doing the work. While internships are not required, our program’s connections to impactful organizations and individuals across the city also offer the chance to pursue valuable field experiences if you choose.

students looking at a presentation

Putting Your Knowledge Into Practice

Our Global Infectious Disease program is designed to help you confidently tackle complex public health challenges as a strong consumer of research, as either a terminal degree or a bridge to further study. You will be ready to launch into a variety of fields, such as infectious disease epidemiology, science policy, pharmaceuticals and biotechnology, advocacy and health diplomacy. Graduates of Georgetown’s M.S. and Ph.D. in Global Infectious Disease have many career options, and our graduates have a 100% placement rate within 6-months of graduation.

Post-Graduation Career Paths

  • Government
  • Consulting 
  • Non-Profits
  • Medical School 
  • Veterinary School 
  • Ph.D. Programs
  • Fulbright Scholar
man and woman walking and talking