The COVID-19 pandemic, along with advancements in new therapeutics and mRNA vaccines, has further intensified the need for knowledgeable professionals in the fields of immunology, microbiology, and infectious disease. The online Translational Research in Infectious Disease Post-Baccalaureate Certificate Program trains students to use critical thinking and problem-solving skills to explore how foundational knowledge of human pathogens is applied to develop effective diagnostics, vaccines, and therapeutics used to treat human infectious diseases.
As an advanced certificate, the 17-credit Translational Research in Infectious Disease Certificate enables students to take an in-depth look into the infectious disease field. Flexible electives allow the certificate to be tailored to fit students' unique interests and goals through elective courses in basic and translational science offered to students in the Master of Science in Infectious Disease program and electives focused on clinical research topics in the Master of Science in Clinical Research Organization and Management Program.
The program curriculum provides foundational coursework in aspects of basic, translational, and clinical infectious disease research with an added emphasis on studying and managing infectious disease in clinical and laboratory settings.
Those who successfully complete the Translational Research in Infectious Disease Certificate Program and wish to further expand their infectious disease education may apply the credits earned in the certificate program toward an Master of Science in Infectious Disease.
Who Should Apply?
The Translational Research in Infectious Disease Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program is designed for working professionals who aim to advance their careers or transition into the field. The program will also be useful for those who seek educational advancement, specifically college graduates seeking competitive academic credentials for entry into advanced degree programs, including MS, PhD, or medical programs.
Curriculum Outcomes
Students who complete the Translational Research in Infectious Disease Post-Baccalaureate Certificate program will be able to:
- Demonstrate foundational knowledge of infectious disease pathogens, the diseases they cause in humans, and immune responses to infection
- Demonstrate knowledge in advanced topics relevant to infectious disease, such as the development of therapeutics, diagnostics, and vaccines for infectious pathogens; the epidemiology of infectious diseases; the design and conduct of clinical trials; and regulatory issues affecting biotechnology research
- Identify, understand, evaluate, and critically analyze basic, translational, and clinical infectious disease literature and publications
- Demonstrate oral and written communication skills to critically, clearly, and logically present basic, translational, and clinical infectious disease research information
- Demonstrate collaboration, teamwork, and problem-solving skills that will facilitate career advancement and promotion
About Our Faculty
The Translational Research in Infectious Disease Certificate Program is taught by highly accomplished faculty, including those who are actively participating in cutting edge infectious disease research at the College of Medicine. Drexel University is one of only 34 private universities that have achieved national recognition as an R1 Doctoral University with very high research activity as assessed by the Carnegie Classification of Institutions of Higher Education. Our faculty in the Department of Microbiology & Immunology and the Institute for Molecular Medicine & Infectious Disease are conducting research in cell and gene therapy, molecular parasitology, molecular virology and translational neuroscience, immunology and vaccine science, neuroimmunology and CNS therapeutics, genomic sciences, immunogenetics and inflammatory disease, and other innovative infectious disease research areas.