The CWRU Department of Bioethics provides PhD students with a multi-disciplinary learning environment, with faculty representing the fields of philosophy, social science, public health, law, medicine, and nursing. Doctoral students are part of a fully integrated educational program within the Department that includes an undergraduate minor, a Master’s degree program in Bioethics and Medical Humanities, medical school teaching, international student exchanges, and postdoctoral training.
Program Timeline
|
Program Timeline |
Details |
|
|---|---|---|
|
Year 1 |
Program Begins |
-Core courses -Clinical Rotations |
|
Year 2 |
Ends with Comprehensive Exams |
-Core courses -Electives and Theory |
|
Years 3+ |
You’re a PhD Candidate! |
-Research -Present/network at conferences -Publish Articles -Apply for Fellowships |
|
Years 4+ |
Ends with Graduation |
-Finish and defend your dissertation |
Our Curriculum
The PhD in Bioethics curriculum shapes scholars who can address pressing social and ethical problems in biomedicine and health. Students may enter the PhD program in Bioethics from any discipline. However, all students will become fluent with the ways in which bioethical scholarship employs concepts and methods from the humanities, social sciences, clinical research, law, and health policy. Our curriculum is organized around five core areas:
- Normative and social science theory and methods
- Research ethics
- Clinical ethics
- Public health ethics
- Medical humanities and social medicine
Students work with their advisor to create a customized program of study relevant to their interests. Particular strengths of our Department include:
- Clinical ethics
- Ethical and social issues in genetics and genomics
- Ethics of stem cell research and biomedical engineering
- Medical and health humanities and social medicine
- Research ethics and public health ethics
Sample Program of Study
First Year
|
Course Name |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
Clinical Ethics Rotations Foundations in Bioethics and Medical Humanities I & II Foundations of Medicine, Society & Culture Philosophical Bioethics Research Design in Bioethics I & II University Pedagogy and Teaching (optional) Elective |
3 6 3 3 6 1.5 3 |
| Total | 25.5 |
Second Year
|
Course Name |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
Research Ethics and Regulations Critical Readings in Bioethics Grant Writing Statistics Theory courses relevant to student Electives |
3 3 3 3 6 7.5 |
| Total | 25.5 |
Third Year +
|
Course Name |
Credits |
|---|---|
|
Dissertation PhD |
total of 18 |
Graduation Requirements:
- Completion of a minimum of 51 credit hours of coursework for candidates with bachelor’s degrees; candidates with master’s degrees may receive advanced standing of up to 9 credit hours
- 18 credit hours of dissertation coursework
- Comprehensive examination preceding advancement to candidacy
- Dissertation proposal defense
- Completed dissertation and dissertation defense
For details and additional forms, please visit the School of Graduate Studies Doctoral Graduation Requirements webpage.