<iframe src="//www.googletagmanager.com/ns.html?id=GTM-TJCKC2" height="0" width="0" style="display:none;visibility:hidden"></iframe> Online Master's in Immunology | Drexel Online

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  • Online Master’s in Immunology

    The online Master of Science in Immunology program provides the enhanced educational credentials you need for basic discovery, translational, and clinical research careers related to infectious and inflammatory disease, as well as other immunologic problems pursued in government, industry and academic environments. This immunology degree provides a specialized focus on research and development relevant to new immunodiagnostics, immunotherapeutics, and vaccines to prevent and/or treat infectious diseases such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, influenza, malaria, and many other viral, bacterial, parasitic, and fungal pathogens.

    During this immunology graduate program, you will learn:

    • Animal model development and use, basic discovery, and biological containment laboratories
    • Immune response mechanisms
    • Immunologic redundancy
    • Immunomodulators and immune response modifiers
    • Immunotherapeutic and vaccine target identification
    • Innate and adaptive immune escape mechanisms
    • Vaccine discovery and development

    Program Features

    • 100% online
    • Geared toward careers related to infectious and inflammatory disease
    • Designed to accommodate a variety of different academic and career backgrounds, allowing for flexibility on multiple levels
    • Taught by expert faculty from Drexel University College of Medicine's Department of Microbiology and Immunology
    • A hands-on research internship experience that can be taken at Drexel or an approved location near you

    What Can I Do With a Degree in Immunology?

    How Do I Become an Immunologist?

    If you are interested in becoming an immunologist, you will need to pursue your medical degree and then specialize in immunology. Drexel’s MS in Immunology prepares you for future success in basic discovery, translational, and clinical research careers related to immunology, immunopathology, and infectious and inflammatory disease.

    While some graduates continue on to pursue a PhD, others find roles as scientists or research associates in academic, government, and biomedical and pharmaceutical settings. Companies such as Johnson & Johnson, Merck, Pfizer, AstraZeneca, and more often hire candidates with a background in immunology for positions such as:

    • Director, Immunology Research
    • Research Technician
    • Immunology Research Associate
    • Immunology Research Scientist
    • Associate Scientist, R&D Immunology

    How Long Does It Take to Complete an MS in Immunology?

    A total of 36 semester credits is required to complete the online Master’s in Immunology. This immunology degree is designed to be completed full-time in two years (four semesters), or part-time in four years.

    Admission Requirements for the Online MS in Immunology

    To be considered for Drexel’s online MS in Immunology, you should have a four-year biology or chemistry-based bachelor's degree. Within your academic background, you should have coursework in biology, microbiology, immunology, chemistry, biochemistry, mathematics, and/or other related subjects. A cumulative GPA of 3.0 is preferred, but lower GPAs will be considered if other strengths are apparent in your application.

    MS in Immunology Salary Expectations

    Many factors can impact your salary in the immunology research field – your experience, whether you work in an academic, government, or a biomedical or pharmaceutical setting, your exact title, etc. However, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, medical scientists make, on average, about $88,790 per year. The job outlook is faster than the average with jobs expected to grow 6% by 2029 in this field.

    Related Programs


    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

    Courses encompass the fundamental requirements to establish a solid grounding in microbiology and infectious disease, immunology, biochemistry, genetics, and molecular biology.

    Research experiences will form a large component of the program, which can be completed with or without a thesis.

    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 534S Molecular Medicine Journal Club I 1.0
    MIIM 533S Molecular Medicine Journal Club II 1.0
    MIIM 606S Microbiology and Immunology Seminar 1.0
    MIIM 654S Clinical Correlations in Immunology 3.0
    Electives 18.0
    MIIM 502S
    Microbiology and Immunology Journal Club  
    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 Pathogenesis  
    MIIM 607S
    Immunology II  
    MIIM 613S
    Emerging Infectious Diseases  
    MIIM 621S
    Biomedical Research I  
    MIIM 622S
    Biomedical Research II  
    MIIM 625S
    Advanced Molecular Virology  
    MIIM 630S
    Advanced Molecular Biology  
    MIIM 651S
    Research Internship in Immunology  
    MIIM 655S
    Emerging Biomedical Interventions for Human Disease  
    MIIM 660S
    Current Concepts in Molecular Medicine I  
    MLAS 529S
    Molecular Genetics  
    PHRM 525S
    Drug Discovery and Development I  
    PHRM 526S
    Drug Discovery and Development II  
    Total Credits 36.0

    View Course Descriptions

    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
    • Three 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 2023-2024 is $1777 per credit.

      For the academic year 2023-2024, 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 AlumniMilitary 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

      2023-2024 Academic Year

      Term

      Classes Begin

      Classes End

      Fall 2023

      August 21, 2023

      December 15, 2023

      Spring 2024

      January 8, 2024

      May 3, 2024

      Summer 2024

      May 13, 2024

      August 2, 2024

       

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