Introduction

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology offers a unique M.S. degree in Biomedical Science Policy and Advocacy.

This degree aims to provide students with an understanding of policy and advocacy principles as well as familiarity with essential concepts in the field of biomedical science. We feel that this dichotomy is essential for making educated and effective decisions in the crucial field of science policy. From stem cell research to bioterrorism, science has quickly come to the forefront of the global health and security agenda and the policy decisions we make as a society will affect us for years to come.

Unfortunately, the field of science policy as it exists today is populated with professionals whose experience and education are highly polarized in either science or public policy. This area has for decades been viewed as a merging of two distinct disciplines - to its own detriment. The field of Science Policy is a host to an enormous body of knowledge, which is presented for the first time in this new, unique graduate program.

The interdisciplinary curriculum includes biomedical science, public policy, and science policy courses (both required and elective) from a number of departments:

• Microbiology & Immunology
• Biology
• Biochemistry
• Pharmacology
• School of Nursing & Health Studies
• STIA (Science, Technology, and International Affairs) Division at the School of Foreign Service
• Security Studies Program at the School of Foreign Service
• Georgetown University Public Policy Institute
• Georgetown University Law Center 

For a link to our Core Courses summary, please scroll to the bottom of this page.

What the M.S. in Science Policy and Advocacy will provide

• Training in biomedical science principles
• Introduction to public policy for scientists, domestic and global perspectives
• Presentation of critical policy issues and advocacy efforts in biomedical science
• Science Policy & Advocacy Lecture Series hosted by the department. A variety of expert speakers present their views of science policy and advocacy issues
• A mentor from the faculty of the Department of Microbiology & Immunology
• 30 credit hours, satisfying curricular requirements outlines in the Core Courses section
• Opportunity for internship and/or independent study project
• Graduate Career Seminar and a Biomedical Graduate Career Fair
• Either a full-time [1-year] or part-time [up to 3 years] study program

Description and Faculty of the Science Policy and Advocacy Master's program

The emergence and reemergence of human diseases such as West Nile virus, anthrax, tuberculosis and smallpox point to the fact that Microbiology & Immunology are critical to health care in the global arena. Science policy and advocacy will contribute importantly to new initiatives that are needed to control these and other diseases. In addition, the impact of genomic data is certain to require individuals who can formulate science policy and advocate reasonable approaches to use these data in ways that serve the health of the world.

The Department of Microbiology & Immunology has more than 20 full-time and adjunct faculty, whose research emphasis is in Virology, Mycology, Bacteriology, Immunology, Biodefense, and Science Policy. The themes of the research programs in the department are state-of-the-art and include a major emphasis in bioinformatics and translational research that focuses on several of the major human pathogens, including hepatitis and herpes viruses, opportunistic fungal pathogens, and emerging viral diseases. The faculty is supported by numerous research grants from the National Institutes of Health and industry.

Graduate education is also part of a strong commitment by the faculty. We offer a variety of graduate level courses in all areas of Microbiology and Immunology. Students are also able to take courses in other basic science departments in the medical school as well as at the main campus. The STIA Program in the School of Foreign Service is uniquely designed to prepare students who develop a science background for careers in advocacy and policy either in industry, special interest groups, or government. Faculty from other basic science departments and the Biology department offer didactic courses to achieve the same objective of training students to meet the needs of today's health issues.

• Core Courses
• For Prospective Applicants
• Testimonials