AMA-MCW Online Fellowship in Physician Ethics and Professionalism
Program Objectives
Program Description
Requirements for the Fellowship Program
Technical Requirements
Applying to the Fellowship Program
Frequently Asked Questions
Program Objectives
The AMA-MCW Online Fellowship in Physician Ethics and Professionalism program is designed for physicians who want to expand their background and knowledge of medical ethics and physician professionalism. Understanding the history, role, and practical applications of medical ethics and professionalism is an important asset for physicians who are in leadership positions on ethics committees, privacy boards, or institutional review boards. The program is primarily Internet-based in order to accomodate the needs of practicing physicians throughout the country and the world.
Program Description
The AMA-MCW Online Fellowship program has three components:
1. Core Curriculum
A core curriculum made up of two required courses: one on the history of ethics and professionalism in medicine and one survey course in philosophical, clinical or legal bioethics.
2. Elective Curriculum
An elective curriculum consisting of two three-credit elective courses chosen by the student to meet his or her individual needs and/or interests.
3. AMA Site Visit
A brief site visit to the annual meeting of the AMA's House of Delegates in Chicago, IL where students will learn how the AMA establishes ethics policy and their code of medical ethics.
Requirements of the AMA-MCW Online Fellowship Program
Students in the AMA-MCW Fellowship program are required to complete a total of four three-credit online courses (twelve credits total). Two of these courses are required and two courses are electives of the student's choosing.
The required courses are:
History and Meaning of Ethics and Professionalism in Medicine (3 credits), and
one of the following courses:
- Philosophical Bioethics (3 credits),
- Clinical Topics in Bioethics (3 credits), or
- Law and Bioethics (3 credits)
A sample of elective courses offered includes:
Clinical Topics in Bioethics (3 credits)
Issues in Pediatric 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)
Students may take one or two courses per semester as fits their scheduling needs. For more information on these courses, please see the course descriptions under the traditional MA program section.
Students in the program are also required to make a site visit to the American Medical Association's annual meeting in Chicago, IL. The onsite component of the AMA-MCW Fellowship program allows students to experience how the AMA creates ethics-related policy through its Council on Ethical and Judicial Affairs (CEJA) and House of Delegates (HOD). Onsite seminars will give fellows an overview of AMA organization and policymaking; attendance at CEJA and HOD sessions will allow them to observe AMA function and how issues pertinent to organized medicine are debated; and, local experts will present current topics and issues in ethics. These activities will be supplemented with additional educational sessions at a local university hospital to expose fellows to ethics in the clinical setting. The required onsite visit is held for four days in June.
Students receive a certificate upon completion of all four courses and the onsite visit. Graduate credits accumulated in this program may be applicable toward the Master of Arts degree at the Medical College of Wisconsin, which can be pursued either through the executive-style or the traditional format. Students wishing to apply credits earned in the program must matriculate into the MA program immediately upon completion of the Fellowship program in order for all credits earned to apply. Students that do not matriculate into the MA program immediately will be limited as to the number of credits that may apply toward the degree.
Technical Requirements of the AMA-MCW Fellowship 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 RealPlayer;
2. Work with email attachments;
3. Contact their Internet Service Provider (ISP) for technical assistance on Internet connection and tools.
Applying to the Program
Individuals interested in pursuing the AMA-MCW Online Fellowship in Physician Ethics and Professionalism must be accepted to the MCW Graduate School as Non-Degree Seeking or Special Students.
Online screening forms can be completed and submitted at any time. Applications to the MCW Graduate School are also accepted on an on-going basis. It is recommended that completed applications be submitted by June 15 for fall admission, or by October 15 for spring admission. Applications received after these dates may continue to be accepted as long as space in the program is available.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Fellowship Program
1. Who can enroll in the program?
The program is designed for physicians who want to expand their knowledge of medical ethics and physician professionalism. Non-physicians with advanced degrees may also be interested. Anyone interested is encouraged to complete the online screening form.
2. How long will it take for me to complete the program?
Students can complete the courses of the program in just two semesters by taking two courses per semester. Taking one course per semester is also an option, which would result in completing the courses of the program in four semesters. The onsite visit is available annually in June.
3. What is the cost of the program?
Course tuition for the 2007-2008 academic year is $630 per credit for Non-Degree Seeking or Special Students. In addition, students are required to purchase books and materials, and arrange for their own transportation, lodging, and meals during the five-day onsite visit to the AMA.
4. Do I have to be in front of my computer on a particular day and time in order to participate in the online courses?
Online class discussions are conducted in non-real time through threaded discussion forums so students can participate at their convenience each week. Students are paced, however, on a week to week schedule, just as in a traditional on-campus course. Online courses may offer opportunities for students to engage in real-time chats with guest faculty throughout the semester. Students are encouraged to participate if possible.
5. Do I have to take the GRE?
No. The application process for admission to the MCW Graduate School as a Non-Degree Seeking or Special Student does not require GRE or any other graduate admission test scores. The application process for Non-Degree Seeking or Special Student status only requires submission of a completed Special Student application form, a $15 application fee, and an official copy of an undergraduate or graduate degree transcript.
6. When is the application deadline?
Online screening forms are accepted at any time. Applications for Non-Degree Seeking or Special Student status are also accepted on an on-going basis. It is recommended, however, that completed applications be submitted by June 15 for fall asmission or by October 15 for spring admission. Applications received after these dates may continue to be accepted as long as space in the program is available.
7. Is the program accredited?
The courses offered in the program are part of the bioethics graduate program offered through the Medical College of Wisconsin's Graduate School of Biomedical Sciences. The MCW 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.
8. Whom should I contact if I have additional questions?
Please contact Kristen Tym, Bioethics Graduate Program Coordinator, at ktym@hpi.mcw.edu or 414-456-4299. Additional information is also available online at the AMA's Institute for Ethics site.