Master of Science

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

Individuals dedicated to finding solutions to how the world approaches infectious diseases, from policy to drug delivery are perfect candidates. This program will prepare successful 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. While internships are not required, some students may wish to pursue an internship during their course of study. Georgetown faculty can help connect students with contacts at organizations such as Biomedical Advanced Research and Development Agency at HHS, Biotechnology Innovation Organization, Talus Analytics, New York City Health and Hospitals Special Pathogens Unit, USAID Emerging Pandemic Threats program, and the National Academies of Science.

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.

M.S. students will apply directly to one of the two following concentrations with additional requirements, described below.

Modeling Concentration: Students applying to the modeling track will be required to have at least two semesters of math or advanced statistics, as well as some experience in computer programming.

Policy Concentration: Students in the policy track will 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 in the first semester of the program.

Application Deadlines

Concentration Descriptions

Policy Concentration

The policy concentration emphasizes the reality that combating global infectious diseases requires a multi-prong approach, including the development of interventions like vaccines and new antibiotics, as well as policies that effectively utilize these tools and distribute them to those in need. Policy courses will develop skills for policy analysis to review of decision making bodies domestically and internationally, political theory, and internal and external validity and criteria for policy options analyses. Upon completion of the degree, students will be able to utilize key methodologies for policy analysis, development of policy options, and assess evidence for utility in supporting policy decisions regarding infectious diseases. They will also recognize and address ethical issues in all areas of global infectious disease, including conduct of research, population interventions, and policy decisions.

Modeling Concentration

The modeling concentration focuses on epidemiology and applied data analytics to predict outbreaks and disease spread, and to model the effects of different responses to disease outbreaks. This concentration has a heavier emphasis on understanding the science behind disease threats and how to address them. Upon completion of the degree students will be able to describe and analyze patterns of disease in human populations, and identify the determinants and public health impact of infectious disease. They will also understand mechanisms and interaction of factors involved in disease transmission and methods for disease prevention and control, and be able to assess how the design of human studies impacts the types of bio-statistical tests and models employed and their interpretation. Students will assess how study design elements impact the choice of statistical test, whether and how test assumptions are met, and how to interpret results of tests and models.

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 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. 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.

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)

GLID recommended electives

The following is a partial list of electives for students who have room in their schedule.

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