Program Director: Sarah J. Lux, PhD
Department Chair: Kevin T. FitzGerald, SJ, PhD
Program Office: Department of Medical Humanities
Master of Science in Bioethics
Graduate Study in Bioethics
The Master of Science in Bioethics degree program is designed for students who are seeking a deeper understanding of the impact of relevant cultural, philosophical, political, and legal issues in health care practices and policies, especially regarding their impact on vulnerable populations. Pursuant to promoting the Jesuit value of concern for people who are poor and marginalized, students will be encouraged to critically reflect on their own attitudes, actions, and personal development during the program. Faculty will draw strongly upon a variety of disciplines to form and educate agents of change through intellectual and humanistic engagement with the enterprises of health care.
Program Goals
Students who complete the Master of Science in Bioethics degree will be able to:
- Identify and deconstruct ethical problems in health care, systems, policies and laws.
- Apply ethical principles, norms, and theories in ethically complex situations to facilitate open and informed discussion among multiple stakeholders.
- Analyze general concerns of bioethics surrounding health care of populations made vulnerable or marginalized.
- Synthesize and communicate findings from research and critical reflection on a selected topic of ethical concern.
- Critically reflect on personal and professional attitudes, actions, and experiences to improve communication and interaction with diverse populations.
- Incorporate diverse perspectives from the humanities and liberal arts into ethical reflection about health care structures.
Graduate Certificate Admissions Requirements
- Baccalaureate degree or higher: Applicants who do not hold a post-baccalaureate degree must have an undergraduate GPA of at least 3.0 in the last 60 hours of undergraduate study.
- Transcripts: Applicants must submit official transcripts from the institution that awarded their baccalaureate degree. Issuing institutions must send the transcripts directly.
- Curriculum vitae: Applicants should include relevant education, employment history, certifications and licensures, teaching and research experience, publications, presentations, awards, honors, affiliates, professional associations, experience and background in health, public health, or bioethics.
- Personal Statement: In 500 words or fewer, applicants must explain how their professional goals relate to the field of bioethics and how successful completion of this program will assist them in achieving those goals.
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): All international applicants must demonstrate proficiency in the English language by submitting a minimum TOEFL score of 100 iBT (213 CBT/550 PBT). International applicants who received their baccalaureate or higher degree from an accredited institution in the U.S., United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand are not required to submit a TOEFL score report.
- Application and application fee of $50.
Master of Science in Bioethics Admissions Requirements
In addition to the requirements for the graduate certificate, applicants seeking admission to the MS in Bioethics program must also submit the following:
- transcripts from all graduate-level coursework and
- two letters of recommendation (to be completed and submitted by persons other than family members who can assess the applicant’s performance in an academic or work setting).