Bioethics PhD FAQ's

You’ll want to complete our online application, submit all of the required materials and pay the application fee.

The final application deadline is January 15. We start reviewing applications after the deadline has been reached. Keep in mind we only admit candidates on even numbered years (2026, 2028, etc), with the application cycle opening the previous fall (2025, 2027, etc). 

Success in a PhD program requires that you are ready for independent study. As PhD students learn skills in our program, their success depends on their background knowledge, motivation, the ability to learn, and resourcefulness in collaboration. 

Characteristics of promising early career scholars include motivation and experience. Most of our current students enter with Masters degrees (in a variety of fields) as part of their demonstration of maturity, ability to succeed, and knowledge, although prior graduate work is not the only way to demonstrate these qualities. Career trajectory planning, presentations and/or publications, and experience in research are valuable prerequisites for doctoral work. 

In your statement, we would like to hear about your specific interests in bioethics and/or medical humanities and where you would like to take those interests in your future career. It is very important that you mention some faculty members in our department who you would like to work with, related to your interests; we use this information in making decisions because intensive mentorship is an important part of a PhD program. It is helpful for you to review our primary faculty members’ experience and interests on the Bioethics Department’s Faculty and Staff page. Note that secondary and adjunct faculty cannot be primary advisors to PhD students, although they may serve on dissertation committees.

We would also like to know about any prior research and scholarly work you have done, even if it was not part of a paid position or formal degree requirement. Did you complete a thesis? Have you contributed to a publication? Did you earn a master’s degree? You might tell us about these activities in your statement, and have the professor who guided the work write a letter of recommendation. It is important to answer the application question prompts provided as part of your essay.

Grades and test scores also give us an idea of your academic background and achievement. We do not require GRE scores, but we're happy to see the scores if you take the test.

We encourage international candidates from outstanding institutions to apply. International candidates are given the same consideration as domestic applications. We consider research and teaching experience, background knowledge from undergraduate and graduate education, clear areas of interests and career trajectory for the future. 

For each candidate, your background will be unique. Candidates should have a strong background in the social or behavioral sciences, public health or health services research, legal or health policy research, philosophy or a related humanities disciplines.

We encourage applications from candidates with strong research or publication experience, although there is no minimum requirement in this area. We want to see that candidates have the potential to be excellent scholars and researchers, who can contribute to the field in a meaningful way. 

No! Unlike other PhD programs that focus more on hard science or bench research, candidates do not need to have a mentor/advisor/research project identified before submitting your application. However, candidates need to indicate in their personal essay, what areas of research you are interested in and who from our faculty would you like to work with in the program. We recommend identifying at least one primary faculty member as your potential mentor. You are welcome to reach out to faculty to discuss your interest and the program

Our Department of Bioethics is proud to cover tuition for all students in the PhD in Bioethics program for the entirety of the program. 

For your first year, you will receive the standard SOM stipend (2024-2025 was $37,500), which allows you to live comfortably in Cleveland. There are many discounts available through Case Western Reserve University Access Services (like bus passes, discounted cable service, etc). The program also pays for your health insurance. The program will work with students to identify opportunities for a stipend after the first year, but it is not guaranteed. 

The cost of living in Cleveland is relatively low. Rent depends on how close you are to campus and the area in which you want to live. Review current housing options in Cleveland. 

Generally, PhD students work with the program co-directors to identify the work assignments. Students may lead TA for an undergraduate course, eventually teach a course, and/or join a research project. PhD student work expectations are a maximum of 20 hours per week

Yes, PhD students are provided $2000 as reimbursement for moving expenses. 

As a new student in the Bioethics PhD program, you will start with core courses and electives mostly within the Department of Bioethics. As part of their pedagogy course, PhD students will lead small group discussions for students in the MA program. You will also spend time in health care institutions in the region to develop understanding and skills in clinical bioethics.

Most PhD students move in July or early August, to become established and acquainted with the area and campus before classes begin at the end of August. 

The first semester is intense because this is a new learning environment, with new faculty, colleagues, responsibilities, community, and a new city. For these reasons, we encourage students to focus on their course work in their first semester. We encourage students to meet regularly with the academic advisor and PhD program directors to enhance communication and needs as you adjust.

Yes! As part of stipend for students in the program, students are provided with the opportunity to work as teaching assistants. Depending on the student’s level of experience and interest, students can even co-teach or teach their own course further along.

It is possible to complete the PhD in Bioethics in approximately 4 years, as some of our recent graduates have done, but other students may take 5 years or more. Students spend their first two years completing coursework, and then propose, complete, and defend a dissertation project in the remaining years.

CWRU consistently ranks in the top tier of research medical schools, which places us with some very accomplished peers. Our program specifically was the first PhD in Bioethics program in the US and still ranks at the top of PhD in Bioethics programs. 

Opportunities for graduates of the PhD program in Bioethics are bountiful! They include careers as independent investigators, serving as a bridge between colleagues in the traditional medical humanities and those in clinical and basic-science departments. Other graduates find employment in academic bioethics centers, clinical and basic science departments in medical schools, schools of public health, government agencies, and public policy institutes.

During the PhD in Bioethics, you will learn a variety of skills and acquire knowledge in a specialized area. You will be required to develop skills in the various methodologies used in Bioethics and Medical Humanities, including qualitative, quantitative and normative methods, and in designing a research project and/or grant proposal in Bioethics or Medical Humanities. You’ll also build professional skills by participating in and presenting at academic meetings, giving seminars, and taking advantage of opportunities for scholarly publication. The program also provides training in developing academic credentials and networks, teaching, and giving and receiving professional mentorship.

Programs that provide information about careers in undergraduate colleges, small biotech/industry, large pharmaceutical companies, and other areas are offered several times a year through individual programs, the BGSO, and the Graduate Education Office. 

Graduate students can take advantage of many available resources, from student groups for community like BGSO in the School of Medicine and others ad around the university, to offices like Disability Resources, Health and Counseling Services, Mather Center for Women, and many more. One of the Department’s priorities is ensuring that students receive the resources and support they need as students and scholars. 

Most graduate students live off-campus, since commuting is relatively easy in Cleveland. Many graduate students live in the Coventry neighborhood of Cleveland Heights, which is a 20-minute walk from campus. This neighborhood has a supermarket as well as many restaurants and bars. Another popular neighborhood is Little Italy (10 minute walk from campus). Some students live in Shaker Square, which is a 10 minute bus ride from campus.

The University runs shuttle buses (free for students) that have regular routes around campus. Cleveland's public transport system (RTA) includes a rapid transit train that stops on campus, providing easy access to many popular destinations (i.e. airport, downtown, West Side Market). RTA also has a bus system that serves the city and suburbs.

Cleveland is typical of much of the central United States, with pleasant summers and snowy winters. July is the warmest month (average high of 82°), and January is the coldest (average high of 34°). Warm clothing is a must for getting through the winter. Many find the cool, colorful fall season one of their favorite times of the year. For more information on living in Cleveland, visit our Welcome to Cleveland page.

Cleveland’s neighborhoods reflect the people from many countries and cultures who settled in the city, including Indian, Arabic, Chinese, Puerto Rican, and Ukrainian, to name a few.

International students make up 10-15% of the students in our biomedical graduate programs and 12% of our PhD students come from underrepresented minority groups. Many students participate in the community and activities in the Minority Graduate Student Organization in the School of Medicine.