Master of Science

MS in Global Infectious Disease candidates will receive a unique combination of training that brings together science, health, technology, modeling, social sciences, economics, and governance to support their careers. Each student will learn about the multitude of ways to approach global infectious disease problems, such as through life science research, mathematical modeling of outbreaks, epidemiology of pandemics, and diplomacy to advance health outcomes. Faculty come from diverse backgrounds in the sciences, medicine, health, and policy.

Who Should Apply for the Master of Science in Global Infectious Disease?

Are you dedicated to interdisciplinary infectious disease solutions? Our program is dedicating to providing students with a broad-based understanding of infectious disease. This program will prepare students to join a growing workforce and find employment in federal, state, or local health departments, emergency management departments, pharmaceutical companies, advocacy organizations, or global health implementers, among others. Because infectious disease challenges are multifactorial, some of the best job applicants will demonstrate a breadth of knowledge about infectious diseases and an ability to problem solve across domains. Individuals dedicated to finding solutions to how the world approaches infectious diseases, from policy development to last-mile drug delivery, are perfect candidates.

Would you like to enhance your scientific knowledge of infectious disease by learning more about data modeling or policy? Upon application to the program, students will choose a concentration in Data Modeling or Science Policy depending upon their background and interests. These concentrations provide for three to four courses of additional study in the chosen area, allowing students to improve their understanding of these areas and their facility with policy or data discourse. Students who wish to pursue advanced study in these areas to really hone their expertise may wish to apply to the GLID PhD program.

Are you wondering how the GLID MS is different from MPH programs? An MS is a science and research degree, while an MPH is a practitioner’s degree. The GLID MS provides a foundation for all students in the science of infectious disease, plus additional advancement of skills and knowledge in policy or data modeling depending on concentration. It is targeted to infectious disease while also being interdisciplinary. Although graduates may choose to become public health practitioners (like those with MPHs), the degree opens up options in research, analysis, advocacy, and other areas in need of infectious disease specialists. The degree will support a research career or additional graduate research in the discipline; it will also support students who enter non-research jobs but who will benefit from the scientific background and analytical thinking skills that the degree provides. Some MPH programs offer policy tracks, but the GLID MPH’s policy focus on infectious disease is unique. Data modeling students will not find an analog in most MPH programs.

Are you interested in internships? Internships are not required, but students may wish to pursue an internship during their course of study. Georgetown’s location in the nation’s capital offers many opportunities. Georgetown faculty can help connect students with organizations such as the Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Authority at HHS, the Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Talus Analytics, New York City Health and Hospitals Special Pathogens Unit, USAID Emerging Pandemic Threats program, and the National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine.

Admissions Requirements

Applicants should have a background in basic science: admission requirements include one semester of undergraduate biology (not botany) and one semester of calculus or statistics.

MS students will apply directly to one of the two following concentrations which each have additional pre-requisites:

• Data Modeling: Students applying to the modeling concentration are required to have at least two semesters of math or advanced statistics, as well as some experience in computer programming.
• Science Policy: Students applying to the policy concentration need introductory economics and political science. 

Strong applicants missing a pre-requisite may be admitted with the requirement to take the pre-requisite course at Georgetown or another college or university prior to their matriculation or during the first semester of the program.

Concentration Descriptions

Course Schedule

All students are required to successfully complete 30 credits for the Master of Science in Global Infectious Disease. Among these, 18 credits are core courses taken by all students regardless of concentration (Policy or Data Modeling). In addition, each concentration has its own required courses that will deepen students’ understanding of their chosen concentration. For Data Modeling students, the core requirements total 30 credits, meeting the required credit allotment. Students wishing to add electives beyond the 30-credit requirement can do so at an additional per-credit fee. For Science Policy students, these courses comprise 8 additional required credits, amounting to a total of 26 required credits and leaving 4 credits to electives of their choice.

Required Courses for all M.S. in Global Infectious Disease students (18 credits)

Required courses for the Policy Concentration (9 credits)

Required Courses for the Data Modeling Concentration (12 credits)

Possible Electives

Most Science Policy concentration students will have room for one elective; Data Modeling students are not likely to have room. The following potential list of electives (and others as approved by the program director) could be taken students who have room for an elective, have been waived from certain classes, have transferred in credits, or are willing to take more than 30 credits.

Degree Requirements

Completion of the Master of Science in Global Infectious Disease degree requires 30 credits of coursework over 18 months. Completion of a 2-credit capstone project in the final semester of the program serves as a comprehensive examination for the program.

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