Program Overview

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Medical Humanities & Ethics (Master of Arts)

Creighton's innovative program combines health humanities with foundational bioethical concepts to offer an enriched educational experience. Students gain an in-depth understanding of the human experience of medicine and healthcare practices, plus the fundamental knowledge and analytical tools required to discuss ethical healthcare issues.

The program is for students pursuing health-related careers and those interested in exploring more significant questions regarding mortality, suffering, care, and justice. Whether you are applying to medical school, seeking a health professional degree, or are interested in an academic career, you will graduate with the ability to apply justice-focused medical humanities and ethics in your work.

Program Details

Key Features

• Ethical Analysis and Decision-Making: Delve into approaches in bioethical analysis and decision-making strategies. Navigate complex moral challenges in diverse healthcare settings.
• Interdisciplinary Understanding: Embrace interdisciplinary approaches when exploring how the humanities and ethical concerns intersect in patient care. Gain insights into the cultural, spiritual, political, and economic factors shaping health-related concepts.
• Jesuit Values at the Core: Rooted in Jesuit values that emphasize ethical considerations regarding compassion, a commitment to social justice, and a foundation for humanities-based, ethical leadership in healthcare.

Learning Outcomes

• Synthesize knowledge from diverse humanities and social sciences fields to cultivate a deeper and broader understanding of health, illness, and suffering.
• Analyze ethical concerns regarding the healthcare of vulnerable or marginalized populations using ethical principles, norms, and theories.
• Consider the social determinants of health and healthcare inequality and determine healthcare professionals' responsibility for addressing these issues.
• Apply advanced knowledge of the social influences that contribute to human health and illness effectively when communicating with patients and practitioners.
• Critically reflect on personal and professional attitudes, actions, and experiences to improve communication and interaction with diverse populations.
• Critically consider how cultural background, history, and experiences shape views on health, illness, and healthcare.

Plan of Study (30 Credit Hours)

• MMH 601 Intro to Medical Humanities (3)
• MHE 601 Health Policy (3)
• MMH 794 Special Topics in Medical Humanities (3)
• MHE 604 Social Cultural Contexts in Health Care (3)
• MMH 603 End-of-Life Care in the Clinical Setting (3)
• MHE 606 Theories of Justice (3)
• Electives (6 credits)
  • Either a capstone project or thesis:
    • MMH 711 Capstone Research in Medical Humanities and Ethics
    • MMH 712 Thesis Research in Medical Humanities and Ethics

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the MA in Medical Humanities and Ethics program, applicants must:

• Complete an application
• Possess a bachelors degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Provide official transcripts from all educational institutions attended
• Include a resume or curriculum vita
• Submit a personal statement
• Submit an essay
• Submit three letters of recommendation from persons other than friends or family members

International students are welcomed into this program so long as they complete it from their country of residence, as F-1 visas will not be issued. International applicants must meet English language proficiency requirements.

Provisional Admission

If you cannot provide a GRE score or proof of success in graduate-level coursework, you may be granted provisional admission. You must earn at least a B or higher in the first six credits of the program to gain full admission and continue in the program.

Dates & Deadlines

• Start Classes in August: Apply by July 15
• Start Classes in January: Apply by December 1

Tuition & Financial Aid

Tuition rates change in the fall of each year. To help make your graduate studies at Creighton University more affordable, we encourage you to file the FAFSA to apply for financial assistance. We also encourage you to apply for available graduate student scholarships and fellowships.

Related Degrees

• Bioethics (Graduate Certificate)
• Lifestyle Medicine (Graduate Certificate)

Department Links

• School of Medicine
  • Department of Medical Humanities

Program Director

Sarah J. Lux, PhD, Program Director, MA in Medical Humanities and Ethics

The programs curricular interdisciplinary approach helps students gain a more nuanced understanding of the social, cultural, and ethical aspects of healthcare by exposing them to these issues from a variety of angles.