The National School of Tropical Medicine at Baylor College of Medicine is the only school of tropical medicine in the United States solely committed to addressing the world's most pressing tropical diseases that disproportionately afflict "the bottom billion," the world's poorest people who live below the World Bank poverty level.
NSTM has a nationally and internationally recognized robust educational programs focused on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Infections of Poverty. Together with faculty from the Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine in the Department of Pediatrics and faculty from other key departments, centers and schools within Baylor College of Medicine and the Texas Medical Center, the school continues to build infrastructure capacity for education focused on Neglected Tropical Diseases and Infections of Poverty in the United States and globally.
Diploma in Tropical Medicine
The Diploma of Tropical Medicine program is a three month long intensive course aimed towards healthcare professionals, including physicians, nurses and physician assistants as well as students pursuing related degree programs who would like to practice or do research in tropical medicine and traveler’s health here in the United States or internationally. It also serves as an educational tool for healthcare professionals already practicing in regions around the world with limited resources who require an update on tropical medicine and traveler’s health content. The diploma includes an intense, hands-on laboratory training to master key diagnostic tools for common neglected tropical diseases and infections of poverty.
Summer Institute in Tropical Medicine
This intensive two-week course, held on National School of Tropical Medicine's campus in Houston at the heart of the Texas Medical Center introduces undergraduate learners to tropical medicine through explorations of global health, epidemiology, public health, neglected tropical diseases and infections of poverty. Over the duration of the course, learners participate in seminars with leading experts in the tropical medicine field, gain hands-on laboratory experience using common diagnostic tools used in resource-limited settings, and visit tropical medicine research centers and facilities.
Note: The Summer Institute is not open to the public at this time. However, email tropmed@bcm.edu if your undergraduate academic institution is interested in participating in the Summer Institute in Tropical Medicine.
Tropical Disease Research Internship Program
Undergraduate students collaborate with school researchers to perform a nine-week, hands-on, summer research project focused on tropical medicine in Houston, TX. Students involved in the Tropical Disease Research Internship Program will gain experience in bench-to-bedside research and in public policy and advocacy for the improvement of global health outreach. At the end of the internship the undergraduate student will give a research presentation describing the work they performed on their individualized laboratory project to the school staff and faculty.
Note: The Tropical Disease Research Internship Program is not open to the public at this time. However, email tropmedinterns@bcm.edu if your undergraduate academic institution is interested in participating in the Tropical Disease Research Internship Program.
Pediatric Infectious Disease Tropical and Global Medicine Track
The National School of Tropical Medicine has collaborated with the Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatric Infectious Diseases to provide post-graduate clinical fellows in pediatric infectious diseases with the opportunity to build an academic and research career in pediatric global infectious and tropical diseases. Post-graduate clinical fellows will acquire specialized skills in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring strategies for neglected tropical diseases and infections of poverty through hands-on patient care in the Texas Children’s Hospital Pediatric Tropical Medicine clinic, participation in monthly tropical medicine seminars and case conferences including the quarterly international tropical medicine case conference and Chagas Network meetings, and completion of a research project with a focus on Tropical and Global Medicine. Learn More.
Adult Infectious Disease Tropical and Global Medicine Track
The National School of Tropical Medicine has collaborated with the Baylor College of Medicine, Department of Medicine, Division of Infectious Diseases to provide post-graduate clinical fellows in adult infectious diseases with the opportunity to build an academic and research career in global infectious and tropical diseases. Post-graduate clinical fellows will acquire specialized skills in the diagnosis, treatment and monitoring strategies for neglected tropical diseases and infections of poverty through hands-on patient care in the Harris Health System Adult Tropical Medicine clinic, participation in monthly tropical medicine seminars and case conferences including the quarterly international tropical medicine case conference and Chagas Network meetings, and completion of a research project with a focus on Tropical and Global Medicine.
Tropical Medicine Seminar Series
The National School of Tropical Medicine conducts a monthly seminar series to educate health scientists, health providers, and the public about tropical medicine, raise awareness of NTDs, facilitate local, national and international research collaboration in tropical medicine, and promote meaningful dialogues concerning public policy.
Policies
NSTM Policies, Procedures, and Guidelines
Note: View the most updated Baylor College of Medicine Academic Policies and official catalogs.
Drop Policy for Students
- Four-week long courses may be dropped up to 5th class day.
- Two-week long courses may be dropped up to the 2nd class day.
- One-week long courses may be dropped on the first day of class.
- Seminar courses may be dropped during the first two weeks.
- Students must complete the Course Withdrawal Form by the end of the drop period.
- Requests to consider dropping after the drop date, due to extenuating circumstances, may be considered only upon completion of the course withdrawal form. Both signatures of the course director and assistant dean for Academic and Student Affairs are required.
Drop Policy for Health Professionals (e.g., M.D.s. D.O.s, N.P.s) taking Courses for Professional Development
- Courses may be dropped prior to and during the course.
- Attendees must complete the course withdrawal form.
- When applicable tuition will be refunded according to the refund policy posted on NSTM website.
Resolution of Conflicts or Concerns
Students are encouraged to first address the individual (student, faculty, staff) involved. If the concern cannot be resolved or is of such a nature the student is not comfortable discussing it with the party involved, the proper channel would be to go to the individual’s supervisor. If the problem is not resolved informally, the student may file a formal written grievance following the grievance filing process.
Academic Success Center
Meet with a learning specialist to build the academic skills you need to be successful. Topics that may be addressed during a session include time management, study skills, testing strategies, writing consultations, and more. Virtual and in-person appointments are available. Schedule your appointment.
The Academic Success Center study spaces occupy about 4,000 square feet on the second and fourth floors of the DeBakey Center for Medical Education at Baylor College of Medicine. Each floor includes seating ideal for small group and individual studying. Desktop computers, printers, dry-erase boards, and other equipment are available for trainee use. ASC student assistants are on site seven days a week, ready to help. If a student assistant is not available while you are using the space, e-mail us at academicsuccess@bcm.edu or call (713) 798-4173 for assistance.
Career Development Center
The Career Development Center is a centralized service that supports the career and professional development needs of all Baylor College of Medicine students and postdoctoral fellows. The center provides a variety of services including workshops, seminars and individual career advising appointments. Students may utilize career advising services during regularly scheduled walk-in hours on Tuesdays/Thursdays from 4 - 6 p.m. and Wednesdays from 10 a.m. - Noon. or by scheduling an appointment from the website.
Accreditation
Baylor College of Medicine is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC) to award masters and doctorate degrees. Questions about the accreditation of Baylor College of Medicine may be directed in writing to the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges at 1866 Southern Lane, Decatur, GA 30033-4097, by calling (404) 679-4500, or by using information available on SACSCOC’s website (www.sacscoc.org).
Courses and Workshops
Contact us for information about Tropical Medicine courses and workshops.
Distance Education
Find information about policies and processes related to distance education.
Tropical Medicine Teaching Laboratory
Sessions at the Tropical Medicine Teaching Laboratory, directed by Kathryn Jones, D.V.M., Ph.D., give students at the National School of Tropical Medicine and the Section of Pediatric Tropical Medicine hands-on parasitology experience.
Student Spotlight
Baylor medical student Rebecca Jeun worked in TropMed labs and then got a grant to travel with one of our researchers, Dr. Rojelio Mejia, and help with his project.
Advice for Young Scientists
with Dr. Rojelio Mejia
History of Baylor College of Medicine
Presentation by Dr. William Butler