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Program Details

Graduate Program: Bioethics (MA)

General Information

Request Information
Program/Degree
Bioethics (MA)  
Program Description

The MA in Bioethics is offered 100% online and was developed to serve emerging and seasoned health professionals in Arizona, nationally and globally. The advanced study of bioethics at the University of Arizona College of Medicine - Phoenix brings together liberal arts disciplines including philosophy, history and sociology of science, psychology, sociology, and anthropology, with the expertise from the University of Arizona, College of Medicine – Phoenix faculty and other key university partners. Bioethics is a discipline dealing with the social, legal, and ethical implications of biological research and applications, especially in medicine. It includes medical ethics which focuses on issues in healthcare, research ethics which focuses on the conduct of research, and with public health ethics which addresses ethical issues in public health. We aim to give clinicians, social workers, chaplaincy, nurses, and lay individuals who wish to seek out a Master of Arts in Bioethics the background and training to engage in the teaching of ethics, ethics research, ethics consultations, and difficult bedside ethical issues.

Thirty credits are necessary to complete the degree with 12 core credits and 18 elective credits. The core courses prepare you to explore how ethical issues underlie the decisions that shape our minds, lives, and society as we move through bedside medical decisions, the difficult decisions related to diversity, equity, inclusion, the rights of people and everyday decisions that we make in our lives.

The elective courses will allow you explore your areas of interest within the field. You will apply your learning in the culmination of a final master’s project (ETH 909) in a topic of you choosing.

Note: The MA in Bioethics is offered to Arizona residents through the Phoenix Campus. It is offered to national and international students through Arizona Online. All courses are 7.5 weeks long, asynchronous, and offered through iCourse. Many courses are available for graduate students from other programs to take as electives.

Questions? Please contact Molly Kurtz, mgittelm@arizona.edu

 
Department/Academic Unit(s)

COM Phx Bioethics and Medical Humanism

The Department of Bioethics and Medical Humanism's mission is to provide leadership in bioethics research, education, practice and public engagement.

We strive to prepare students to provide respectful, humane patient care, to address current ethical problems in health care through research and discussion and to engage with providers, patients, and families to resolve their ethical conflicts.

We use relevant medicine, law, moral reasoning, literature, drama and art to inform students about ethical issues and prepare them to empathize and communicate compassionately.

 
College

College of Medicine, Phoenix

 
Campuses where offered

Arizona Online - Online

Phoenix Campus - Phoenix

 
Contacts
Admissions Contact
Molly G Kurtz
480-459-1019
Graduate Program Coordinator
Molly G Kurtz
480-459-1019
Director of Graduate Studies
David H Beyda
602-827-2108
Graduate College Degree Counselor
Megan Jia Mcnulty-Luoma
520-626-9962
 
Tuition and Fees
Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. 
Please refer to the UA Registrar's's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

Admissions Information

Admissions Requirements

 

Application Requirements:

  • Bachelor's Degree from an accredited university with a 3.0 cumulative GPA
    • A student may apply to the program prior to receiving their bachelor's degree but must have received the degree prior to starting the program.
    • International applicants visit Graduate College for more information
  • Statement of Purpose (up to 750 words) Answer the following questions:
    • Why do you want to study bioethics?
    • Why is this program a good fit for you?
    • How will you benefit the program?
    • What are your academic and professional experiences and/or expertise that will contribute to your success in this program?
    • What are your career goals, and how do you think this program will help you achieve them?
  • Supplemental Question: Describe and analyze an issue or dilemma in bioethics that you find interesting and challenging. Please limit your response to a maximum of 1200 words.
  • CV/resume: upload a copy of your curriculum vitae/resume in PDF format.
  • Letters of Recommendation: 2 required (Ideally, these letters should be written by professors, research or professional supervisors that can speak about your academic and research abilities and potential for graduate studies.)

 

 
Standardized Tests

GRE scores are not required.

International Students please visit the Graduate College website on English Proficieny Requirements.

 

 
Funding Opportunities

The MA in Bioethics does not currently offer any department level financial support, including Graduate or Teaching Assistantship (GA or TA). Please visit the Graduate College website for to explore possible funding opportunities.

Please refer to the UA Bursar's Office Tuition and Fees Calculator for up-to-date information about tuition and fees. Please refer to the UA Registrar's Office Special Course Fees for up-to-date information about special course fees. 

 
Admissions Deadlines

Domestic Applicants:

  • Fall
    • Priority: July 1
    • Secondary: August 1
  • Spring:
    • Priority: November 13
    • Secondary: January 2

International Applicants:

  • Fall
    • Priority: July 1
    • Secondary: August 1
  • Spring: 
    • Priority: November 13
    • Secondary: January 2
 
International Conditional Admission

International applicants may be considered for conditional admission to this program at the department's discretion.

Other Information
The GRE Institution Code for The University of Arizona is 4832

Completion Requirements

Minimum Credit Units

30 

Core Coursework Requirements

ETH 500 Foundations of Bioethics, 3 units

ETH/LAW 515 Healthcare Ethics, 3 units

ETH 572 Current Controversies in Bioethics, 3 units

ETH 909 Master’s Project, 3 units

 
Elective Coursework

ETH 501 Biomedical Ethics and Global Corruption, 3 units

ETH 502 Humanities, Ethics, and health: A Global Perspective, 3 units

ETH 503 Biomedical Ethics and the Law, 3 units

ETH 504 Applying Key Moral Theories to Issues in Global Ethics, 3 units

ETH/PHPM 608A Public Health Law and Ethics, 3 units

ETH/RELI 506 Religious Diversity in Healthcare: Intercultural Training, 3 units (starting Fall 25)

ETH 520 Ethics Consultations: The How’s and Why’s, 3 units

ETH 506 Chronicle of Medical Ethics: Past & Present, 3 units

ETH 521 Narrative Medicine in Narrative Ethics, 3 units

ETH 522 Controversies of Life and Death: The beginnings and ends, 3 units

ETH 516 Pediatric Ethics, 3 units

ETH 517 Ethics and the Arts, 3 units

ETH/LAW 575 Clinical Research Ethics, 3 units

ETH 530 Human Aging: Ethical Considerations, 1 unit

 
Additional Requirements

N/A

 
Student Handbook

Please refer to the Graduate Student Handbook for students who are pursuing this program of study.

 

Persistent link: https://grad.arizona.edu/catalog/programinfo/BIOEMA
Last revised 30 May 2023
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