Traditional Master of Arts in Bioethics Program
Program Objectives
Program Description
Requirements for the Traditional MA Degree
Sample Curriculum
Course Descriptions
Areas of Emphasis
Dual MA/MD Degree Program
Applying to the Traditional MA Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Objectives
The traditional 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 on-campus 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 may create an area of emphasis through the selection of appropriate elective courses and the thesis topic. The program allows for full-time or part-time study in order to accommodate the needs of working professionals, as well as medical students, residents, and fellows involved in Medical College of Wisconsin programs.
Program Description
The bioethics Master's program has three main components, all of which are required in order to earn the MA degree:
1. 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.
2. Clinical Bioethics Experience
The clinical bioethics experience requirement can be satisfied either through proven professional experience in clinical ethics committes and consultation or through taking a one-credit course on clinical ethics committes and consultation.
3. 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.
Requirements for the Traditional 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 course credits, students must take 9 required credits (3 courses). Students who cannot satisfy the clinical bioethics experience 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 emphasis, if any.
Students in the program are also required to pass a written comprehensive examination after completing the core curriculum and before completing the final six credits of the program. This examination is designed to challenge the student's ability to crticially 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.
Students choose to write either a traditional Master's Thesis or 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, and the Master's Thesis or Final Paper submitted, the program will be completed by means of a successful defense of the Master's Thesis or of the Final Paper.
Sample Curriculum
The traditional MA program requires at least one year of study on the campus of the Medical College of Wisconsin. Arrangements can be made to pursue the thesis at a variety of locales.
YEAR ONE
Fall
Philosophical Bioethics (3 credits)
Clinical Topics in Bioethics (3 credits)
Electives (3-6 credits)
Spring
Law and Bioethics (3 credits)
Electives (6-9 credits)
Bioethics Consultation and Committees (1 credit; if necessary)
Summer
Electives (0-6 credits)
Comprehensive Examination
YEAR TWO
Fall
Master's Thesis or Elective Course (3 credits)
Spring
Master's Thesis or Elective Course and Final Paper (3 credits)
Classes usually meet during the day on Tuesday, Wednesday, and/or Thursday. Every attempt will be made to accommodate the professional and personal demands of students. Not all scheduling needs can be met, however, and certain courses have limited scheduling flexibility. Students may wish to consider part-time status or the Executive-Style MA program in order to balance academic, professional, and personal demands. Sample three- and four-year curricula are available under the Executive-Style MA program section.
Course Descriptions
Core Curriculum (Required) Courses
Clinical Topics in Bioethics, Bioethics 10209 (3 credits)
This is a survey course covering various contemporary topics in bioethics, focusing on issues encountered in clinical practice. Areas to be studied include end-of-life decision making, the family in medical decision making, issues in clinical research, euthanasia, and pediatric issues.
Philosophical Bioethics, Bioethics 10210 (3 credits)
This course provides the critical basis for the ethical analysis of biomedical issues. It consists of lectures, seminar presentations, and class discussion of the foundations of moral philosophy, including the concept of morality, moral relativism, classical ethical theories, contemporary methods in bioethics, rights, justice, and the justification of moral beliefs.
Law and Bioethics, Bioethics 10223 (3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to legal principles and legal precedent relevant to issues in bioethics, aimed at providing the foundation for understanding relevant law concerning these issues.
Master's Thesis , Bioethics 10299 (6 credits total)
All degree-seeking students are required to undertake and complete a project culminating in a Master's Thesis. This project is directed by a member of the program faculty. Scholarly, qualitative, quantitative, and pedagological projects are acceptable, with the approval of each student's faculty advisor and thesis committee.
If necessary:
Bioethics Consultation and Committees, Bioethics 10231 (1 credit)
Through attendance at ethics committee meetings and ethics consultations, this course will familiarize students with both the theoretical and practical aspects of institutional and consultative ethics.
Elective Courses
Clinical Bioethics I, Bioethics 10200 (3 credits)
This course provides an introduction to medical ethics in the clinical setting. It consists of regular rounds with a medical or surgical team in selected hospital treatment areas, plus discuss and analysis of issues encountered. Enrollment limited.
Medical Ethics, Bioethics 10201 (3 credits)
This course provides an important foundation for the study of bioethics, focusing on the principles of bioethics and some salient legal and clinical cases. The format includes lectures, followed by small group case-based discussions. In the second year, graduate students are able to act as small group discussion leaders for this course, gaining valuable experience in the teaching of bioethics.
Clinical Bioethics II, Bioethics 10202 (3 credits)
This course provides in-depth exposure to medical ethics in the clinical setting by focusing on only one or two clinical treatment areas. It builds upon the foundation established in the Clinical Bioethics I course.
Justice and Healthcare, Bioethics 10203 (3 credits)
This course addresses some of the critical issues of bioethics as the principle and concept of justice relates to them. Topics include the concept of justice as it relates to health and health care, rationing, the form and substance of a national health policy, and managed care. The format of the course will consist of seminar presentations and class discussion.
Physician Conduct: Ethics and the Law, Bioethics 10206 (3 credits)
This course explores the legal and ethical issues impacting physician conduct, regulation, and professionalism. This course provides students with a general overview of the various factors that influence physician conduct and regulation, such as codes of ethics, licensing requirements, the court system, and ethics mechanisms such as ethics committees and institutional review boards.
Introduction to Research Ethics 10207 (3 credits)
This course will provide students with a comprehensive introduction to the ethical issues involved in scientific, animal, and human subjects research. After a brief look back at the history of research ethics, students will spend time considering issues that impact research in both the laboratory setting and in the clinical setting. This course provides the necessary research ethics instruction required to satisfy the United States Public Health Service Policy on Instruction in the Responsible Conduct of Research for institutions receiving research funds from the Department of Health and Human Services (issued December 1, 2000).
Ethics Beyond the Acute Care Setting, Bioethics 10211 (3 credits)
The course examines ethical issues in rehabilitation care, psychiatric care, hospice, long-term care, dental care and other settings. The focus is on developing a framework and language in which to discuss and analyze moral problems in these settings. The relevance of the four-principles approach and the adequacy of the doctrine of informed for these venues is explored. Care settings to be covered can vary with student interests.
Critical Approaches to Bioethics, Bioethics 10220 (3 credits)
This course builds upon the first semester course, Philosophical Bioethics. Various alternative approaches in ethics and biomedical ethics will be explored in order to provide a broad understanding of the range of critical social and philosophical thought on biomedical issues.
Ethics and Integrity in Science, Bioethics 10222A (2 credits) or 10222B (1 credit)
This course provides the basis for understanding the ethical issues related to basic scientific and medical research, including animal and human subject research, fraud and misconduct, and governmental, institutional, and researcher responsibilities.
Religion and Bioethics, Bioethics 10225 (3 credits)
This course will examine the diverse range of religious resources that are pertinent to the field of bioethics. Students will explore topics in bioethics, such as euthanasia, abortion and informed consent, from the perspective of religious traditions.
Issues in Pediatric Ethics, Bioethics 10233 (3 credits)
This course is an advanced elective in pediatric ethics. The course will discuss the question of children's rights, the social value of children and cross-cultural issues of childhood. The objective of the course is to examine our individual assumptions about childhood and parenting that form the basis of approaches to pediatric ethics.
Ethics and Human Reproduction, Bioethics 10234 (3 credits)
This course will provide an opportunity for students to explore some of the ethical issues related to human reproduction, including assisted reproductive technologies, cryopreservation, genetics, and cloning. Students will also examine the various religious and philosophical arguments, as well as international perspectives, surrounding issues of human reproduction.
History and Meaning of Ethics and Professionalism in Medicine, Bioethics 10240 (3 credits)
Medical ethics and professionalism have meant many things to many people for literally thousands of years. This course explores in depth the history and meanings of medical ethics and medical professionalism from ancient times through contemporary challenges.
Special Topics in Bioethics, Bioethics 10275 (3 credits)
This course focuses on topics of special interest in bioethics. Examples of topics include organ donation and transplantation, autonomy and coercion, mental health care, and political issues in bioethics.
Teaching Medical Ethics, Bioethics 10291 (3 credits)
This course will develop the theoretical foundation and practical application of educating students in medical ethics, including systematic design of instruction, utilizing needs assessments, and the various methods of instruction. Includes a practicum in application of methods of small group instruction.
Reading and Research, Bioethics 10295 (1-4 credits)
This independent study course is available for all Master's degree-seeking students, and awards credit for pursuing background reading and new research in areas of particular student interest.
Masters Consultation, Bioethics 10297 (1 credit Summer, 2 credits Fall, Spring)
This course will familiarize and train students in the theoretical and practical aspects of ethics consultation through a seminar, supervised practical experience in doing ethics consultations, and writing summaries and reporting these consultations at monthly ethics committee meetings. The goal of this course is to prepare the student to meet the evolving national certification qualifications for clinical ethics consultation.
Bioethics Journal Club, Bioethics 10298 (1 credit)
The journal club is a student and faculty forum for the discussion of a variety of current and emerging issues in bioethics. The informal setting allows for open discussion and debate.
Areas of Emphasis
The core curriculum of the MA program is designed to establish a general level of knowledge in all areas of bioethics, with the student then deepening exposure to a wide variety of other areas through the selection of appropriate electives and the thesis topic. The purpose of the areas of emphasis is to allow students to specialize in an area of bioethics that is of particular personal interest or professional importance. The areas of emphasis described below serve as illustrations. Students are welcome to suggest other areas of emphasis such as institutional ethics or research ethics, with the approval and guidance of the Director of Graduate Studies.
The clinical bioethics emphasis focuses on the academic background and clinical training necessary to develop skills in clinical ethics, both at the bedside and within institutional ethics committees. This area is likely to be of interest to health care professionals, although other interested individuals with sufficient medical background may also select it.
The legal bioethics emphasis focuses on the issues of intersection between the law and bioethics. In addition to grounding in the fundamental concepts of bioethics, students in this area examine what U.S. law has done and can do in the area of bioethics. This area is viewed as appealing primarily to attorneys and others involved in the study or practice of law, but also may be of interest to legislators, legislative staff, policy analysts, and other policy-oriented professionals.
The humanities emphasis focuses on the relationship between theory and practice. Students interested in this area study the major innovations that contemporary bioethicists have made in ethical theory. Students who focus in this area often pursue further study in philosophy, literature, medical humanities, or cultural studies and take an academic career path.
Dual MA/MD Degree Program
The Master's program encourages the pursuit of a Master's degree in bioethics along with medical school, residency, or a clinical fellowship at either the Medical College of Wisconsin or another medical school or program. An accelerated, personalized program of study can be designed in conjunction with the student's other academic and/or clinical commitments. For example, a medical student may elect to complete all requirements for the degree in one academic year and one summer, following either the second or third year of medical school.
Such an accelerated program would require a schedule such as the following:
FALL SEMESTER
Philosophical Bioethics (3 credits)
Clinical Topics in Bioethics (3 credits)
Electives (9 credits)
SPRING SEMESTER
Law and Bioethics (3 credits)
Bioethics Consultation and Committees (1 credit)
Electives (5 or 8 credits)
Master's Thesis (0 or 3 credits)
SUMMER SESSION
Master's Thesis (3 or 6 credits)
Applying to the Traditional MA Program
All individuals interested in entering the program must apply through the Medical College of Wisconsin's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The application procedure consists of: (1) completing the online application and paying a $40 application fee; (2) providing official copies of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts; (3) providing letters of recommendation with completed recommendation forms from three professors or professionals who can comment on the applicant's ability to succeed in the program; and (4) providing an official copy of the results from a standardized graduate or professional exam, such as the GRE, MCAT, or LSAT. Applicants holding a PhD, MD, or JD degree from an accredited institution can request a waiver of the test score requirement. Criteria for admission to the bioethics program include academic training, professional and life experience, college and graduate school grades, test scores, commitment to the field of bioethics, and promise in the program's academic areas.
Applications to the bioethics program are reviewed on an ongoing basis by the program's admissions committee. It is recommended that completed applications be submitted by February 15 for fall admission. Applications received after that date will continue to be reviewed as long as space in the program allows.
More information on the admission requirements and application procedures can be found online at the Graduate School's website, along with the online application. More information can also be obtained by contacting the Graduate School by phone at (414) 456-8218.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Traditional MA Program
1. Who can enroll in the program?
The program is open to anyone interested in bioethics who holds at least a bachelor's degree.
2. What are my career options with a Master's degree in bioethics?
The answer is, it depends. While some have had great success with only a Master's degree in bioethics, we do not recommend that a student view a Master's degree in bioethics as a "stand-alone" degree. The recent trend in most employment arenas for bioethics has been decidedly favorable for those with another degree or degrees in addition to the MA. Thus, we see the MA in bioethics as a "value-added" degree, which means it is a wonderful opportunity for those who already possess an advanced degree (or who plan to obtain one) to broaden their career options. So, what you can do with an MA in bioethics depends largely on you.
Some of our graduates serve on ethics committees at their home institutions, provide ethics consultation or education services, either as independent contractors or in their respective institutions, have pursued academic careers...the list goes on. Please feel free to contact us regarding your personal interests.
3. Is the program accredited?
The bioethics Master of Arts program is a program in the Medical College of Wisconsin's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The Medical College of Wisconsin's Graduate School is accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Institutions of Higher Education, 30 N. LaSalle St., Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602-2504, 800-621-7440.
4. Do I have to take the GRE?
Applicants with a PhD, MD, or JD degree from an accredited institution do not have to submit GRE, or any other graduate admissions test, scores. A waiver of the test score requirement may be requested at the time of application.
Applicants without an advanced degree need to submit official test scores. While GRE scores are preferred, LSAT or MCAT scores may be submitted in lieu of GRE scores.
5. How long will it take for me to complete the program?
The traditional MA program can be completed in as little as 1 ½ calendar years, or one academic year plus one semester. The Graduate School requires that the program be completed in a maximum of 4 calendar years.
6. Can I transfer graduate credits that I took at another institution into the MA program at MCW?
The program may allow for the transfer of up to 10 credits into the MA program. Transfer of credits is dependent upon the course content, the number of credits received, and the grade earned by the student. Transfer of credit will be determined only after admission to the program has been awarded.
7. What is the cost of tuition?
Tuition for the 2007-2008 academic year is $630 per credit for part-time and non-degree students, or $11,340 per year for full-time students.
8. When is the application deadline?
Applications to the bioethics MA program are reviewed on an ongoing basis by the program's admissions committee. It is recommended that completed applications be submitted by February 15 for fall admission. Applications received after that date will continue to be reviewed as long as space in the program allows.
Applications for spring and summer admission will be considered on a case by case basis.
9. Whom should I contact if I have additional questions?
Please contact Kristen Tym, Bioethics Graduate Program Coordinator by email or phone at 414-456-4299.