Bioethics in Glendale

Fast Facts

Degree

• Master of Arts in Bioethics (M.A.)
• Certificate in Bioethics
• Dual-degree options with other MWU programs
  

General Requirements

• Bachelor's degree (exceptions for certain health professionals)
• Minimum cumulative GPA of 2.75
  

Length of Program

42 quarter hours, part-time or dual-degree

Class Size

10

Program Characteristics

• Part-time, evenings
• Some classes online
• Flexible scheduling and progress toward degree
• Interactive, discussion-based approach to learning
• Participant insight and experience valued

Career Opportunities

• Bioethics degree compliments professional degree program
• Enhances current or career goals

MWU Outcomes (2005-2007)

• 87% of matriculants accepted into professional programs (Ph.D., medicine, dentistry, pharmacy, or other health care programs)
• 95% of matriculants pursue professional programs or work in the bioscience industry
  

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts or Certificate in Bioethics programs, the applicants must submit the following documented evidence:

0. Completion of a bachelor's level (or its equivalent, i.e., 120 undergraduate hours including the professional program) or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university (not required for the Certificate in Bioethics). Exceptions to this requirement may be made by the Bioethics Program Admissions Committee for an applicant who have:Successfully completed an accredited professional program such as physician assistant, nursing, dental hygienist, etc.;
   Completed a minimum of 100 semester hours of undergraduate training (including professional program), 20 of which are in general education courses including humanities, fine arts, social sciences, computer sciences, or business;
   Five or more years of experience in a health care-related profession;
   Demonstrated a record of continuous professional development, and
   Submitted one additional letter of reference (i.e., three total) attesting to their ability to perform at a graduate level.
0. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a scale of 4.00 for their bachelor's or higher degree program;
0. Official transcripts verifying completion of a bachelor's degree or higher level degree program from a regionally accredited college or university;
0. Two letters of recommendation;
0. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check;
0. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.

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Program Description

The Midwestern University Biomedical Sciences Program offers curricula leading to a master's level degree in Bioethics (42 quarter-hours). In addition, an academic certificate program (30 quarter-hours) in Bioethics is also available. These part-time programs are designed to accommodate working professionals. Classes are offered at convenient times, and curriculum addresses the specific needs of health care providers. The M.A. degree in Bioethics should not be viewed as a terminal degree or a means to secure a job in a subspecialty of health care. Rather, this program is designed to enhance the on-going career and/or practice of those already involved in providing therapeutic, legal, and spiritual care to patients. A premium is placed on interdisciplinary education and integrating all aspects of the health care continuum. Therefore, students from all disciplines of health care (physicians, physician assistants, nurses, physical therapists, occupational therapists, speech therapists, pharmacists, dentists, researchers, etc) study together with health care administrators, lawyers, social workers, clergy, and other interested individuals.

The Midwestern University Biomedical Sciences Program offers a variety of part-time and full-time master-level degree programs in biomedical science, health professions, education, and bioethics. The professional roles that graduates can expect to experience are highly dependent on their current professional activities and future career goals. Completion of a degree program may enhance the students' current profession or provide the skills necessary to launch new career opportunities. Students may take this opportunity to improve their GPA, fill the "gaps" in their undergraduate transcripts, and demonstrate proficiency at taking graduate-level courses. Individual courses in the Biomedical Sciences Program may be taken as a non-degree candidate to either sample the curriculum or learn about a specific topic. Courses may be audited or taken for credit as a non-degree student on a space-available basis.

The Biomedical Sciences Program offers opportunities for training at all levels of the "health care continuum" — in the laboratory, classroom, and clinic — through a dynamic learning experience that fosters disciplined thinking and self-directed learning. The courses of study provide the academic foundation on which to make discoveries in the laboratory, sound ethical decisions in the clinic, and effective teachers in the classroom as they train future health care professionals.

Degree Descriptions

Master of Arts (M.A.) in Bioethics

The curriculum leading to the M.A. degree in Bioethics offers a deeper understanding of the ethical issues related to patient care and health care practice, as well as methods for addressing these issues. The 42 quarter-hour curriculum can be completed in as little as 15 months, and must be completed within a period of 60 months, excepting approved leaves of absence. The program includes 12 credit hours of required courses, including Introduction to Medical Ethics, Foundations of Bioethics, Philosophy of Medicine, and Ethics of Research and Experimentation. Beyond these required courses, students opt for a research or a didactic track. In the research track, students are required to perform an approved research project (12 credits). Prerequisite to the research project are two independent studies (one credit each) that enable students to develop a proposal, which includes the specific objectives and methods, for the project. Sixteen additional credits must be taken as electives. The didactic track has no research project; students are required to take 30 elective hours in addition to the required courses. Bioethics students interested in acquiring additional educational skills may take certain electives in the Health Professions Education program as well.

The M.A. degree program intends to augment the professional experience and skills of students by providing substantial training in the theory and practice of ethical decision making within the health care arena. Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including physicians, nurses, chaplains, lawyers, administrators, social workers, pharmacists, physician assistants, allied health personnel, health professions students, and other interested professionals. Applicants usually hold a bachelor's level or higher degree from a regionally accredited college or university, though some individuals with significant undergraduate coursework and relevant professional experience may be admitted. The program should provide graduates with credentials needed for increased opportunities and advancement within their current career.

Certificate in Bioethics

The curriculum leading to the Professional Certificate in Bioethics offers a deeper understanding of the ethical issues related to patient care and health care practice, as well as methods for addressing these issues. Students come from a wide variety of backgrounds, including physicians, nurses, chaplains, lawyers, administrators, social workers, pharmacists, physician assistants, dietitians, and other interested professionals. There is no degree requirement for entry into this program.

The 30 quarter-hour curriculum may be completed in as little as 12 months, and must be completed within a period of 60 months, excepting approved leaves of absence. To complete the 30-credit hour requirement, students may take any of the required or elective courses in the bioethics curriculum, except for research project credits. Students wishing to switch to an M.A. degree in Bioethics after completing courses in the Bioethics Certificate curriculum will be required to reapply to the Biomedical Sciences Program and meet all admission requirements for the M.A. degree program. Successful completion of the Certificate in Bioethics curriculum does not automatically qualify the student for admission into the Master of Arts in Bioethics program.

The Certificate in Bioethics program intends to augment the professional experience and skills of the student by providing training in the theory and practice of ethical decision making in the health care arena. The program may also provide graduates with credentials needed for increased opportunities and advancement within their current career.

Dual-Degree Options for Physician Assistant, Occupational Therapy, Cardiovascular Sciences, Podiatry, and D.O. Students

The Biomedical Sciences Program offers an educational opportunity to current and incoming bachelor-track physician assistant (PA), occupational therapy (OT), cardiovascular science (M.S.CV), podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) and medical (D.O.) students. Students accepted into the programs may also apply to the Biomedical Sciences Program as dual-degree candidates in either Bioethics or Health Professions Education. The following policies apply:

1. Applicants must apply and be accepted into the clinical program and Biomedical Sciences Program separately. Only applicants meeting minimum entrance requirements for both degree programs will be given an option for the dual-degree program.
2. The clinical degree program shall be considered the primary degree program and the Biomedical Sciences Program the secondary degree program. Continuity of the primary degree program must be maintained.
3. The length of the secondary program shall be extended for a duration of time sufficient to complete the secondary degree program. This is usually three to six months (for PA, OT, and CVS students) and may be individualized to accommodate availability of desired courses, academic proficiency, type of track desired in the Biomedical Sciences Program (i.e., research or didactic track, if applicable), and student preferences. The Biomedical Sciences Program degree must be completed within a total of 60 months from initial matriculation.
4. Students must maintain the minimum cumulative GPA requirements of each program. Failure to maintain the minimum cumulative GPA in either program will result in students being given an academic warning or placed on academic probation. This may result in deceleration or temporary suspension from the secondary degree program.
5. The number of credits required for completion of the Biomedical Sciences Program is degree-specific as stated under Degree Descriptions above. Some courses from the student's clinical degree program may be suitable for credit in the Biomedical Sciences Program degree program. If approved, these courses may be substituted for elective credit in the Biomedical Sciences Program up to a maximum of six (6) credits. No Biomedical Sciences Program tuition will be charged for these credits.
6. In addition to the established quarterly tuition for the clinical degree program, students enrolled in a dual degree shall pay tuition to the Biomedical Sciences Program on a per credit basis. Dual-degree students accepted into the Biomedical Sciences Program at any time before graduation shall receive a 30% discount on the normal Biomedical Sciences Program per-credit-hour charge during their matriculation in the primary degree program and for up to 12 months following completion of their primary degree program. Quarterly Biomedical Sciences Program tuition is determined by the number of credits for which the student is registered.

Mission

The mission of the M.A. and Certificate in Bioethics program is to augment the professional experience and skills of students by providing substantial training in the theory and practice of ethical decision-making within the health care arena. The program should also provide the graduate with credentials needed for increased opportunities and advancement within their current career.

Midwestern University's faculty of the Biomedical Sciences Program personally commit themselves to:

• Effective teaching using state-of-the-art technology
• Continuing their own personal education and development
• Participating in interdisciplinary research and publications
• Demonstrating leadership within their own professions and communities

Accreditation

The State of Arizona Board of Private Postsecondary Education has approved all current degree programs at Midwestern University, Glendale - Arizona Campus. All degrees are conferred under the authority granted by the Arizona State Board for Private Postsecondary Education and The Higher Learning Commision, A Commision of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools.

Midwestern University is accredited by The Higher Learning Commission/A Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools (HLC/NCA), 30 North LaSalle Street, Suite 2400, Chicago, IL 60602.

Related Links

Bioethics as a Career

American Society for Bioethics and Humanities (ASBH)

Bioethics Resources on the Web — National Institutes of Health

Center for Bioethics — University of Minnesota

Library of Bioethics and Medical Humanities Texts and Documents

National Bioethics Advisory Commission Archive

National Bioethics Advisory Commission Links

National Reference Center for Bioethics Literature