Immunology: Explore the Body's Natural Defenses
Immunology sits at the center of today’s most important medical challenges — from emerging infections to cancer immunotherapy. This course unpacks the workings of the immune system and connects them to real clinical problems. Designed for pre-medical and post-baccalaureate students, it builds both scientific depth and clinical perspective to strengthen your preparation for the road ahead.
Choose the course length that works for you: Multi-length courses available throughout the year
Eligibility
For students ages 18 and up
Fees
$1,895
Decode The Language of Immunity
Innate Immunity: The First Line Of Defense
Dive into the molecular and cellular players that detect pathogens rapidly, and see how innate immune responses shape early disease outcomes.
Adaptive Immunity: T Cells, B Cells, and Immunological Memory
Explore how the immune system “remembers” threats and tailors its response — a process that underlies vaccine efficacy, long-term protection, and the development of autoimmunity.
Cellular Communication and Antigen Presentation
Unpack how immune cells coordinate through antigen processing, co-stimulation, and cytokine signals to mount targeted responses.
Immune Dysregulation, Autoimmunity, and Allergy
Study what happens when the immune system goes awry, from self-attack (autoimmunity) to hypersensitivity (allergy), with real clinical implications.
Infection, Pathogens, and Host Response
Investigate how viruses, bacteria, and other microbes bypass immune defenses, and how the host counters with specialized strategies.
Immunotherapy, Tumor Vaccines, and Translational Applications
Connect foundational immunology to the frontier of medicine: cancer immunotherapy, checkpoint inhibitors, CAR T cells, and tumor vaccine design.
Pre-Med Online Certificate Program Advantages
- Discover how the immune system protects the body against threats, responds to challenges, and, when dysregulated, can contribute to disease.
- Strengthen your scientific reasoning by linking immune mechanisms to real clinical examples.
- Examine how immunology informs therapies such as cancer treatments.
- Engage with expert perspectives from Harvard Medical School faculty on the science of immunology.
- Earn a Certificate of Completion from Harvard Medical School, a valuable credential.
Three Benefits of the Program
Experience Medical School-Level Content
- You’ll have access to medical-school-level material, quizzes, and other engaging content designed by doctors, scientists, and faculty from Harvard Medical School.
- Courses lay a foundation for success in medical school, fostering the intellectual curiosity, empathy, and leadership qualities that define exceptional physicians.
Support from Mentors
- In addition to learning from Harvard Medical School faculty, you will have access to valuable mentors who will guide and support your learning experience.
- Here’s what to expect: You’ll receive guidance tailored to your course’s specific discipline, along with encouragement and direction throughout the program. Mentors are here to offer inspiration, motivation, and confidence — helping you stay on track and succeed every step of the way.
Maximum Flexibility
- Our format is entirely online, allowing you to pursue the rigorous curriculum on your schedule; anytime, anywhere.
- Experience flexible, immersive video content.
- Take multiple courses to deepen your learning experience and further prepare you for medical school.
- Academic enrichment courses include videos, quizzes, and a final exam.
Apply Now for the Next Available Course
Taught by HMS Faculty
Andrew Lichtman, MD, PhD
Professor of Pathology, Harvard Medical School
Lichtman has taught and directed immunology and pathology courses for over 30 years at Harvard Medical School. As a professor of pathology, his research focuses primarily on immunology and cardiovascular disease. He’s also a Senior Pathologist at Brigham and Women’s Hospital.
Shiv Pillai, MD, PhD
Professor of Medicine and Health Sciences and Technology, Harvard Medical School
At Harvard Medical School, Pillai is also the Associate Program Head for the Graduate Program in Immunology as well as the Director, MMSc in the Immunology Program. Additionally, he’s an immunologist and geneticist for the Center for Cancer Research at Massachusetts General Hospital with decades of experience as both a physician and a teacher.
Your Mentorship Experience
Throughout your program experience, you’ll be guided by mentors — including physicians, researchers, and health care experts — who provide support and insight as you navigate your coursework. These mentors bring expertise in your course’s specific discipline and are dedicated to helping you stay engaged and on track as you progress. They’ll offer encouragement, direction, and motivation while helping you build the confidence needed to succeed in the program and beyond.
Grace
Holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Health as well as a Pre-Medical Post-Baccalaureate and Master of Public Health. Grace is currently working towards a Master of Business Administration and is conducting medical research at the nation’s top-ranked children’s hospital. As a science educator, Grace is passionate about making complex topics approachable and engaging and looks forward to helping students understand how classroom concepts connect to real-world health care and medical research.
Safoora
Currently holds a Bachelor of Science in Medical Studies as well as a Physical Therapy Technician license. Safoora was previously a teaching assistant for a Cell Biology and Immunology course where she helped to make complex pathways more approachable by connecting them to fun, relatable topics. Safoora was also previously a research assistant in a genetics fly lab and is currently working on a publication based on that research.
How To Apply:
Our application process is straightforward. Tell us why you are interested in medicine and how this program can help you on your medical journey. No transcripts or letters of recommendation are required.
Note: Please submit all application materials in English.
Begin the guided application process. It should take only a few minutes of your time to answer the questions.
Want to Know More?
Sign up for more information and we’ll be in touch.
Admissions
Our application process is easy. You can expect a prompt decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
How will you be graded? How much time do you have to turn around a project? When do you find out if you're accepted? Find answers to your questions here.
Scholarships
We offer need-based scholarships for participating students who exhibit high potential and an inability to pay the full tuition.
- If you haven’t applied to the program, apply here. After submitting your application, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” on the confirmation page to request a scholarship.
- If you’ve already applied to the program, sign in to your profile to check your scholarship status. If we don’t have a scholarship request on file, click “Apply for a need-based scholarship” to request a scholarship.
