Executive-Style Master of Arts in Bioethics Program
Program Objectives
Program Description
Requirements for the Executive-Style MA Degree
Sample Curriculum
Sample of Distance Learning Course Offerings
Technical Requirements for the Executive-Style MA Program
Applying to the Executive-Style MA Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Objectives
The executive-style Master of Arts program in bioethics at the Medical College of Wisconsin, which was the first online bioethics program, provides advanced training for professionals who wish to become prepared for teaching, research, policy development, and clinical work related to bioethics. The program includes didactic, clinical and research components, and culminates in the student presenting his or her research in a Master's Thesis project.
The targeted audience for this program are mid-career professionals who are seeking to enhance their research, teaching, and consulting skills. Their professional commitments could permit pursuit of a Master's degree in bioethics provided the program is sufficiently flexible. This program provides that flexibility.
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 paper of publishable quality.
Requirements for the Executive-Style 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 students choosing to pursue the Final Paper option. Of the course credits, students must take 9 required credits (3 courses). Students who do not 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. Courses in the executive-style program are delivered through an innovative, web-based distance education format. These distance education course offerings provide an opportunity for participants to learn the language, literature, and methods of analysis of bioethics in a structured and intellectually rigorous environment.
Students in the executive-style program are also required to attend one intensive two-week summer session on the MCW campus. This on-campus component provides students an opportunity to engage in an intensive seminar experience in which they develop facilitation and peer education skills. The summer session meets for two weeks in June or July and offers two courses that together account for 6 elective credits. Students meet for 6-8 hours per day, 5 days per week during the session. Readings are distributed in advance so that students have ample time to prepare prior to arrival on campus. There is some variation in courses offered during the summer intensive session from one year to the next.
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 criticially 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.
Finally, 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 executive-style MA program is typically pursued on a part-time basis. Part-time status is defined as no more than 8 credits per semester (no more than 5 credits in the summer). Degree-seeking students are required, however, to complete the degree within four calendar years from the date of first enrollment. A three-year and four-year sample curriculum for part-time study in the executive-style program is provided below.
THREE-YEAR SAMPLE CURRICULUM
YEAR ONE
Fall
Philosophical Bioethics (3 credits)
Clinical Topics in Bioethics (3 credits)
Spring
Law and Bioethics (3 credits)
Electives (3 credits)
Summer
Intensive Session Electives (0 or 6 credits)
YEAR TWO
Fall
Electives (3 credits)
Spring
Bioethics Consultation and Committees (1 credit, if necessary)
Electives (3 credits)
Summer
Intensive Session Electives (0 or 6 credits)
Comprehensive Examination
YEAR THREE
Fall
Master's Thesis or Elective Course (3 credits)
Spring
Master's Thesis or Elective Course (3 credits) and Final Paper
FOUR-YEAR SAMPLE CURRICULUM
YEAR ONE
Fall
Philosophical Bioethics (3 credits)
Spring
Law and Bioethics (3 credits)
YEAR TWO
Fall
Clinical Topics in Bioethics (3 credits)
Spring
Electives (3 credits)
Bioethics Consultation and Committees (1 credit, if necessary)
Summer
Intensive Session Electives (0 or 6 credits)
YEAR THREE
Fall
Electives (3 credits)
Spring
Electives (3 credits)
Summer
Intensive Session Electives (0 or 6 credits)
Comprehensive Examination
YEAR FOUR
Fall
Master's Thesis or Elective Course (3 credits)
Spring
Master's Thesis or Elective Course (3 credits) and Final Paper
Sample of Distance Learning Course Offerings
The following courses are currently offered in a distance learning format:
Bioethics Consultation and Committees (1 credit)
Clinical Topics in Bioethics (3 credits)
Ethics and Integrity in Science (1 credit)
History and Meaning of Ethics and Professionalism in Medicine (3 credits)
Introduction to Research Ethics (3 credits)
Justice and Healthcare (3 credits)
Law and Bioethics (3 credits)
Philosophical Bioethics (3 credits)
Physician Conduct: Ethics and the Law (3 credits)
Special Topics in Bioethics (3 credits)
Readings and Research (1-4 credits)
Master's Thesis (6 credits)
For more information on these courses, please see "Course Descriptions" under the traditional MA program.
Technical Requirements for the Executive-Style MA Program
The minimal technical requirements for the program include:
1. Personal computer;
2. Latest version of web browser, version 5 or higher;
3. Microsoft Office 2000 or newer;
4. Adobe Acrobat Reader;
5. CD-ROM drive;
6. Sound card with speakers or head-set;
7. Email accessibility;
8. Minimum 56 K modem connection to the Internet (broadband connection recommended);
9. Printer.
In additional to the technical requirements above, students must know how to:
1. Access and use the Internet, email, Adobe Acrobat Reader, and instant messenger;
2. Work with email attachments;
3. Contact their Internet Service Provider (ISP) for technical assistance on Internet connection and tools.
Applying to the Executive-Style MA Program
Individuals interested in entering the executive-style MA 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 submitting 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.
Individuals may apply for admission prior to taking any bioethics graduate courses. Students routinely take courses in the Certificate Program in Clinical Bioethics as special students first and then apply those credits to the degree upon matriculation into the MA program. Students moving from special student status to degree-seeking status are required to complete the full degree program application process.
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 at (414) 456-8218.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Executive-Style MA Program
1. Who can enroll in the program?
The program is open to anyone interested in bioethics that 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 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 should 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 executive-style MA program can be completed in as few as 2 years. The Graduate School requires that the program be completed in a maximum of 4 calendar years.
6. Do I have to be in front of my computer on a particular day and time in order to participate in the online courses?
No. Online class discussions are conducted in non-real time so students can participate at their convenience each week. Students are paced on a week to week schedule, just as in a traditional on-campus course. Opportunities for optional real-time interactions are provided in some courses of the program.
7. 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.
8. What is the cost of tuition?
Tuition for the 2008-2009 academic year is $650 per credit for part-time and non-degree students, or $11,700 per year for full-time students.
9. When is the application deadline?
Applications to the bioethics program are reviewed on an ongoing basis by the program's admissions committee.
Applications for Fall admission are due July 1st; for Spring admission, November 1st; and Summer admission, March 1st.
10. 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.