Master of Arts in Bioethics at the 91ɫƵ
If you’re focused on helping physicians and healthcare institutions analyze and resolve difficult ethical issues that arise at the bedside in individual patient cases, 91ɫƵ’s MA in Bioethics may be just for you. The coursework to earn your degree is a combination of classes, seminars, and clinical and teaching practicums. Additionally, you will complete a project – applied or theoretical in nature – conducted under the supervision of a faculty member and overseen by a thesis committee. Our program was the first Bioethics program of its kind, providing flexible convenience for both working and distance learners.
- Credits: 30
- Type: Online
- Student Status: Full Time
Message from the Director
Fabrice Jotterand, PhD, MA
Professor of Bioethics and Medical Humanities
Director, Graduate Program in Bioethics
fjotterand@mcw.edu
(414) 955-8451
Over the years, 91ɫƵ's bioethics programs have been recognized for their intellectual rigor and leadership in bioethics education. As the Director of the Graduate Program in Bioethics, I am committed to promoting this tradition of academic excellence and to foster a student-centered learning environment. If you have any questions about the bioethics programs or the application process, please don't hesitate to contact me.
As a medical student, I was looking for a program that would provide me with a structured ethics education of depth and relevance to my future clinical work. The excellent teaching and flexibility of this program allowed me to establish a strong foundation, explore topics within my own area of interest, and return to medical school in a year. I look forward to using this experience to positively impact my patients, my colleagues, and my future students.
Britt DeVore
October 2020
I loved my experience with the program and am grateful for the guidance the faculty provided me as well as the wonderful friendships I have gained. It was so flexible and convenient for me to take the courses online allowing me to fit reading and writing between a busy schedule. I plan on using my knowledge and experience in bioethics clinically, as well as with my hospital's ethics committee.
Ahmeneh Ghavam, MA '19
January 2020
Traditional Master of Arts in Bioethics
About the MA Program
The Master of Arts in Bioethics program provides advanced training for professionals, academics, and other interested individuals in health care, law, the humanities, and public policy who wish to become prepared for teaching, research, policy development, and clinical consultation work related to bioethics. The program provides students an opportunity for the study and research of current and emerging issues through a combination of didactic, clinical, and research activities. The core curriculum of the program provides a solid foundation in the language and literature of bioethics and develops related critical thinking skills. Students can explore an area of particular interest in bioethics through independent research and the thesis/final paper topic. The program allows for full-time or part-time study in order to accommodate the needs of working professionals. The program offers an engaging online curriculum that makes advanced education in bioethics available to individuals in almost any location throughout the world. The curriculum requires participation in a minimum of one summer intensive session, which includes one week on campus. The remaining credits of the program are all offered online.
The bioethics Master's program has three main components, all of which are required in order to earn the MA degree:
Core Curriculum
The core curriculum consists of three required courses (nine credits) in philosophical bioethics, clinical topics in bioethics, and issues in law and bioethics.
Clinical Bioethics Experience
The clinical bioethics experience requirement can be satisfied either through proven professional experience as a clinical ethics consultant or as a member of an ethics committee or Institutional Review Board (IRB) or through taking a one-credit course on clinical ethics committees and consultation.
Thesis or Final Paper
Students can choose either to write the Master's Thesis (six credits) or can opt to complete an additional six credits of course work and write a final paper of publishable quality.
Admissions
Requirements for the MA Degree
Individuals interested in the MA degree program must apply through the 91ɫƵ’s School of Graduate Studies. The application process consists of: (1) complete and submit the online application form with a $50 application fee; (2) providing official transcript for all prior coursework directly to the Graduate School; (3) provide an official test score report for the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) directly to the Graduate School; and (4) provide letters of recommendation with recommendation forms from at least three references who can comment on the applicant’s ability to succeed in the program. Applicants with an earned PhD, MD or JD may seek a waiver from the Dean of the Graduate School for the GRE score requirement. MCAT or LSAT scores may be submitted in lieu of GRE scores.
- Criteria for admission include academic training, professional experience, undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate or professional school grades, commitment to the field of bioethics, and promise in the program’s academic areas. In addition, applicants to the degree program are expected to meet the technical standards for admission as defined by the School of Graduate Studies. The technical standards are described on the Graduate School’s website. The academic guidelines for admission include an overall undergraduate grade point average of “B” (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) and an average score on the GRE of 60% or greater.
- All applications are reviewed by the Bioethics Program’s Graduate Admissions Committee. The outcome of the committee review is forwarded to the Dean as a recommendation for admission or rejection. The Admissions Committee is comprised of the Director of Graduate Studies and at least two other members of the program’s graduate faculty. Final action on each application is carried out by the Dean, who signs all letters of acceptance or rejection on behalf of the academic program and 91ɫƵ.
- Application deadlines are July 1 for Fall admission, November 1 for Spring admission, and April 1 for Summer admission.
- A link to the online application form and more information on applying to the program can be found on the Graduate School's website. More information can also be obtained by contacting the Graduate School at (414) 955-8218.
Individuals interested in the MA degree program must apply through the 91ɫƵ’s School of Graduate Studies. Applicants with an earned PhD, MD or JD may seek a waiver from the Dean of the Graduate School for the GRE score requirement. MCAT or LSAT scores may be submitted in lieu of GRE scores.
Criteria for admission include academic training, professional experience, undergraduate and, if applicable, graduate or professional school grades, commitment to the field of bioethics, and promise in the program’s academic areas. In addition, applicants to the degree program are expected to meet the technical standards for admission as defined by the School of Graduate Studies.
All applications are reviewed by the Bioethics Program’s Graduate Admissions Committee. The outcome of the committee review is forwarded to the Dean as a recommendation for admission or rejection. The Admissions Committee is comprised of the Director of Graduate Studies and at least two other members of the program’s graduate faculty. Final action on each application is carried out by the Dean.
Curriculum
Requirements for the MA Degree
All students in the program are required to complete a total of at least 30 credits. Of these 30 credits, at least 24 credits must consist of course credits and the remaining 6 credits are either Master's Thesis credits or additional course credits for those students who choose the final paper option. Of the total course credits, students must take 9 required credits (3 courses). Students who do not meet the clinical ethics requirement through proven professional experience must take one additional required credit (1 course). The remaining course credit hours are made up of elective courses of the student's choosing, selected with the guidance of the program and with consideration of the individual's area of interest.
Students in the program are also required to pass a written comprehensive examination. Once the core curriculum and total minimum of 24 credits have either been completed or are concurrently being completed, each student will complete this exam. This examination is designed to challenge the student's ability to critically analyze selected bioethical issues in depth. The core curriculum of the program forms the basis for the examination. The exam is prepared and evaluated by the program's examination committee, consisting of the program director and no fewer than two other program faculty.
As the culminating experience of the program, students choose to either write a traditional Master's Thesis or to pursue the writing of a final paper. Students choosing the thesis will earn six credits for their thesis work. Students choosing the final paper must complete six additional course credits in lieu of the Master's Thesis credits in addition to writing a paper of publishable quality. When all of the course credit requirements have been met, the comprehensive exam is completed, and the Master's Thesis or Final Paper submitted, the degree will be completed by means of a successful defense of the Master's Thesis or of the Final Paper.
Tuition and Fees
If you have questions regarding tuition or your account, please contact the Office of Student Accounts, at (414) 955-8172 or mcwtuition@mcw.edu. Please refer to the All Student Handbook (PDF) for tuition payment policies and information.
- Tuition and Fees Schedule
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PhD Students
All full-time PhD students receive a full tuition remission, health insurance and stipend.
Masters, Certificate & Non-Degree Students
Students seeking financial aid for MPH, MS or MA degree programs, visit the Financial Aid Office website.
Current 91ɫƵ Employees
Tuition Course Approval Form - Human Resources (PDF)
Late Fees
There is a $250 late payment fee for tuition not paid on time according to the Tuition Payments policy in the All Student Handbook.
Detailed Requirements for the MA Degree
MA in Bioethics FAQ
Contact Us
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8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226
gradschool@mcw.edu