A new masters program in global infectious disease is set to launch at Georgetown University in fall 2019. The program intends to bridge the gap between the science of infectious diseases and its public policy implications, according to the program’s website.
“Better integrating emerging infectious disease science concepts into political and social problem solving is a serious challenge that must be met,” the program website says. “Of equal importance is the growing appreciation that infectious disease scientists must become more ‘policy literate’ if they are to contribute more effectively.”
In 2016, infectious diseases were five of the top 10 causes of death in low-income countries and three out of the top 10 causes of death worldwide. Though the concentrations have different core curricula, they will both require a foundational knowledge of science and math and will overlap in coursework.
