Medical Ethics Master’s Program

Curriculum

Master of Arts (M.A.)

Students begin the Master of Arts in Medical Ethics and Humanities Program by building a foundation in the medical humanities with theoretical perspectives in ethics. This foundation gives students the tools to critically examine issues and values relevant to health care delivery, research, and the health care organization, as well as the ability to self-reflect, addressing biases and recognizing different viewpoints. All students will be required to participate in a foundations course and a research methods course. Based on students’ interests and career paths, they may choose one of two tracks: medical ethics with an emphasis on clinical ethics, or the medical humanities.

Course type Semester offered Credits
Health Humanities as Craft Required Fall 3
Topics in Medical Humanities Required Fall 3
Responsible Conduct of Research Required Spring 1
Research Ethics Required Summer, Odd Years 1
Health Humanities Immersion Required Fall, Spring, Summer 1
Research Writing for Scholarship Required Fall and Spring 3
Clinical Ethics Clinical Ethics Track Spring 3
Organizational Ethics Clinical Ethics Track Summer, Even Years 3
Invalid Women Medical Humanities Track Spring, Odd Years 3
Medical Rhetoric Medical Humanities Track Spring, Even Years 3
Health Care Justice Elective Fall, Even Years 1
Psychiatric Ethics Elective Fall, Odd Years 1
Primary Care Ethics Elective Fall, Even Years 1
Surgical Ethics Elective Fall, Odd Years 1
Independent Studies Elective Fall, Spring, Summer 1-3
Healthcare Law & Ethics Elective Fall 2
Recipes for Health Elective Spring, Odd Years 1
Disability and Embodiment Elective Summer, Odd Years 1
MA Thesis I Thesis Fall, Spring, Summer 3
MA Thesis II Thesis Fall, Spring, Summer 3
TOTAL CREDITS: 32

Graduate Certificate

The Medical Ethics and Humanities Graduate Certificate Program is designed for health care professionals and students who have the desire to explore ethical issues in the clinical and community settings through the lens of ethical theory and narrative-driven humanities. It is ideal for the busy health care professional or student who wishes to combine clinical practice with ethics consultation, education and research.

Medical Ethics Track
Course title Semester offered Credits
Clinical Ethics Spring 3
Research & Presentation Spring 3
Healthcare Justice Spring, Even Years 1
Pharmacy Ethics Spring, Odd Years 1
Psychiatric Ethics Fall, Odd Years 1
Primary Care Ethics Fall, Even Years 1
Responsible Conduct in Research Fall 1
Research Ethics Summer 1
Healthcare Law Spring, Odd Years 1
Medical Rhetoric Spring 3
Research Methods Spring, Fall 3
Social Determinants of Health Spring, Even Years 3
Human Values Practicum All 1
Organizational Ethics Summer 3
Recipes for Health Summer 1
Surgical Ethics Fall, Odd Years 1
Invalid Women Spring 3
Humanities Track
Foundations in Medical Ethics and Humanities Fall 6
Human Values Practicum All 1
Research & Presentation Spring 3
CREDITS REQUIRED: 10

Course Descriptions

Course descriptions for the Medical Ethics & Humanities program can be found in the current edition of the NEOMED Compass, the University’s catalog and student handbook.
VISIT THE NEOMED COMPASS WEBPAGE

Program Goals and Objectives

Each course in the program should help the student achieve the goals and objectives listed below:

Objective 1

To provide a comprehensive, academic opportunity for students and healthcare professionals throughout Northeast Ohio who aim to:

  • 1.1. Understand and conceptualize medicine from different perspectives and disciplines
  • 1.2. Gain a deeper understanding of the other (patient, family, community) in relation to the self through narrative as it is constructed and deconstructed
  • 1.3. Recognize, resolve, and reflect challenging issues or problems that arise in the clinical setting

Objective 2

To create a community of educators and practitioners whose mission is to provide educational and experiential opportunities in ethics and the humanities to:

  • 2.1. Deepen medical knowledge and skills and enhance patient care,
  • 2.2. Train students to be social science and humanities researchers, and
  • 2.3. Initiate early training of clinical ethics consultations, committee work, and policy development and implementation.

QUESTIONS?

We are happy to help. Write to COGSAdmissions@neomed.edu.