Master of Arts in Bioethics at the Medical College of Wisconsin

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, MCW’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, MCW'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

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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 Medical College of Wisconsin’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 MCW.

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 Medical College of Wisconsin’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.

Learn more about admissions

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 MCW 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.

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Detailed Requirements for the MA Degree

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Sample Two-Year Curriculum

The MA program requires that students attend at least one summer intensive on the campus of the Medical College of Wisconsin. All other program requirements can be completed from a distance.

Year One

Fall
Philosophical Bioethics (3 credits)
Clinical Topics in Bioethics (3 credits)

Spring
Law and Bioethics (3 credits)
Elective (3 credits)
Bioethics Consultation and Committees (1 credit; if necessary)

Summer
Electives (summer intensive; 6 credits)

Year Two

Fall
Elective (3 credits)
Master's Thesis or Elective (3 credits)
Comprehensive Exam

Spring
Elective (3 credits)
Master's Thesis (3 credits) or Elective (3 credits) and Final Paper

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 elective courses and the thesis or final paper topic. The purpose of the areas of emphasis is to allow students to pursue an area of bioethics that is of particular personal interest or professional importance. The areas of emphasis described below serve as examples. Students are welcome to pursue other areas of emphasis with the guidance of the Director of Graduate Studies.

A 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 choose to pursue it.

A 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.

A 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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Regulatory Issues in Human Subject Research Protections – Bioethics 10226 (3 credits)
There is no question that the fruits of research have fueled medical progress. Yet, the history of research involving human subjects is not unblemished. Federal regulations, based on ethical principles set forth in the Belmont Report, now govern much of the research undertaken in the United States. In this course, we will explore the history and substance of research regulations in the United States, the application of the regulations to specific research issues, and situations where the regulations do not provide clear guidance. Prerequisites: Bioethics 10207 or sufficient practical experience in research ethics as determined by the course instructor.

Current Topics in Research Ethics – Bioethics 10228 (3 credits)
Rapidly evolving scientific and technologic capabilities in medicine combined with an ever-increasing demand to translate these scientific developments to the bedside presents new challenges to regulating human subjects research. This course seeks to keep pace with many of these new and emerging challenges, providing students an opportunity to critically examine the ethical and legal implications of these topics. Specific topics for analysis will be drawn from the current medical literature, popular press, and evolving policy guidance. Prerequisites: Bioethics 10207 or sufficient practical experience in research ethics as determined by the course instructor.

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.

Reading and Research, Bioethics 10295 (1-3 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.

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 pedagogical projects are acceptable, with the approval of each student's faculty advisor and thesis committee.

Areas of Emphasis

A 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 choose to pursue it.

A 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.

A 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.

Elective Courses

MA in Bioethics FAQ

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Who can enroll in the program?

The program is designed to enhance the clinical practice of health care professionals and/or to provide a foundation for further study of bioethics for professionals and students in any discipline. Individuals with an advanced degree (e.g. MD, JD, PhD) or who plan to obtain an advanced degree are best suited for enrollment.

What are My Career Options with a Master's Degree in Bioethics?

The best answer to this question is it depends. We see the MA in Bioethics primarily 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. While some graduates of our program have had great career success after obtaining 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. So, what you can do with an MA in bioethics depends largely on you.

Some of our graduates serve on ethics committees and/or institutional review boards at their home institutions, provided ethics or research ethics consultation or ethics-related education activities, 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 as related to career options.

Do I have to take the GRE?

The Graduate School admission requirements do include submission of official GRE test scores. While GRE scores are preferred, LSAT or MCAT scores may be submitted in lieu of GRE scores.

Applicants with a PhD, MD, or JD degree from an accredited institution may request a waiver of the test score requirement at the time of application.

How Long Will it Take Me to Complete the Program?

The MA program can be completed in as little time as two years. The Graduate School requires that the program be completed in a maximum of four calendar years.

Can I Enroll Part Time?

Yes! Students can enroll part time, as long as they complete the degree program within the required maximum of four calendar years. How fast or slowly students move through the program is up to the individual student.

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, as long as the credits have not been previously applied to a degree. 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.

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 through the semester, just as they would be in a traditional on-campus course.

Contact Us

Graduate School
Suite H2200
8701 Watertown Plank Rd.
Milwaukee, WI 53226

(414) 955-8218
gradschool@mcw.edu