Curriculum

The Master in Bioethics and Medical Humanities is a 30 credit hour program. Students completing the Traditional Program, Core Courses make up 16.5 credit hours and 13.5 will be Elective credits. This program has the flexibility to be full-time for one academic year or part-time for up to three academic years. 

Make a study plan that just works for you

While our program provides several frameworks for concentrations, you are free to create your own. Our Medicine, Society, and Culture Concentration and Research Ethics Concentration allow students to deep dive in those areas, but we also encourage you to explore the issues most relevant to your specific interests. We invite you to take advantage of all the opportunities available through CWRU. For instance, our students have taken electives in the med school, law school, and business school as part of shaping their specific educational goals. Additionally, students may consider a dual-degree program. Here is an example of a flexible study plan. 


Sample Plan for full-time Students

Fall Semester
Traditional Program Medicine, Society, and Culture Research Ethics
Foundations of Bioethics I
(6 Credits)
Foundations of Bioethics I
(6 Credits)
Foundations of Bioethics I
(6 Credits)
Clinical Ethics Rotations
(1.5 Credits)
Clinical Ethics Rotations
(1.5 Credits)
Clinical Ethics Rotations
(1.5 Credits)
Elective #1 (3 Credits) Foundations of Medicine, Society, and Culture Research Ethics and Regulations
Elective #2 (3 Credits) Elective #1 (3 Credits)
*Related to MSC
Elective #1 (3 Credits)
*Related to Research Ethics
Mini elective (1.5 Credits) MSC Seminar (1.5 Credits) Research Ethics
Journal Club (1.0 Credit)
Spring Semester
Traditional Program Medicine, Society, and Culture Research Ethics
Foundations of Bioethics II
(6 Credits)
Foundations of Bioethics II
(6 Credits)
Foundations of Bioethics II
(6 Credits)
Clinical Ethics Rotations
(1.5 Credits)
Clinical Rotations or
Optional Practicum
Research Ethics Practicum
Capstone (1.5 Credits) Capstone (1.5 Credits) Capstone (1.5 Credits)
Elective #3 (3 Credits) Elective #2 (3 Credits) Elective #2 (3 Credits)
Elective #4 (3 Credits) Elective #3 (3 Credits)
*Related to MSC
Elective #3 (3 Credits)
*Related to Research Ethics
N/A N/A Research Ethics
Journal Club (0.5 Credit)