Case Western Reserve University is home to one of the nation’s premier bioethics departments, offering medical students the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in Bioethics and Medical Humanities alongside their MD (University of College program) without adding time to the MD program and without additional tuition, making it an efficient and accessible pathway for students This dual‑degree program provides advanced, interdisciplinary training that integrates ethical analysis, cultural understanding, and humanistic perspectives into the practice of medicine. Students engage deeply with the moral, social, and cultural dimensions of health and health care, learning to navigate complex issues that shape clinical decision‑making and health policy. Coursework is led by nationally and internationally recognized faculty from medicine, nursing, philosophy, law, religious studies, anthropology, sociology, public health, and history, reflecting the truly interprofessional and multidisciplinary nature of the field.
Questions can be sent to bioethics@case.edu.
Application Requirements
Students must apply and be accepted to each degree program independently to qualify. New students can apply to both programs simultaneously; current medical students may apply before the start of the fall semester (August) during the first year.
To apply to the MA in Bioethics and Medical Humanities program, check out the Application Requirements.
To learn more about the application to the School of Medicine or the Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine program, explore the admission information.
Course Requirements
| Course | Credits |
|---|---|
Introduction to Clinical Medicine (IBIS 451) in years 1 and 2 Students register for this course to earn credit for their Foundations of Clinical MedicineMD course. One course cannot show up on two different transcripts. | 3 |
| Foundations in Bioethics I and II Courses (BETH 401 and BETH 402) | 12 |
| Clinical Ethics Rotation (BETH 405) Taken over 2 Semesters | 3 |
Electives in Bioethics and Medical Humanities Students should discuss with their advisor regarding opportunities to count MD coursework or research as an electives in for the MA program. Up to 6 credits can be double counted | 9 |
| Mini elective in Bioethics and Medical Humanities | 1.5 |
| Capstone in Bioethics and Medical Humanities (BETH 402C) | 1.5 |
Course Schedule
MD/MA students continue taking MD courses over the four or five years of medical school.
4-year plan of study
| Semester | Course |
|---|---|
| M1 Fall | BETH 401 Foundations in Bioethics and Medical Humanities I (6 cr) |
| M1 Spring | BETH 402 Foundations in Bioethics and Medical Humanities II (6 cr) BETH 405 Clinical Ethics Rotations (1.5 cr)* |
| M2 Summer | BETH 405 Clinical Ethics Rotations (1.5 cr)* |
| M2 Fall | BETH 405 Clinical Ethics Rotations (1.5 cr)* Elective #1 (3 cr)** |
| M2 Spring | IBIS 451 (3 cr) Elective #2 (3 cr)** |
M3 Summer M3 Fall M3 Spring | No MA courses typically, students focus on clerkships |
| M4 Summer | No MA courses typically, students focus on clerkships |
| M4 Fall | Elective #3 (3 cr)** Mini elective (1.5 cr)** |
| M4 Spring | BETH 402C Bioethics and Medical Humanities Capstone (1.5 cr) |
*Students must complete 3 credits of BETH 405 Clinical Ethics Rotations (except for students in the Health Policy or Research Ethics concentrations). BETH 405 Clinical Ethics Rotations can be taken any semester starting with M1 Spring. Summer semester can be 3 credits, while fall or spring semester must be 1.5 credits.
**Electives can be moved around through the students MD program. This should be discussed with the MA advisor.
For students on a 5-year plan, course schedule should be discussed with the MA advisor.