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Bioethics in Glendale

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Admission Requirements
Technical Standards for Admission
Application Process and Deadline
Matriculation Process
Dual Admission Program

Bioethics Program Admission

The Master of Arts in Bioethics Program will no longer be offered. The college accepted its last class in winter 2009.

The Bioethics degree program uses a rolling admissions process. Completed applications are reviewed and decisions are made at regular intervals during the admissions cycle. Bioethics students may enter their programs during any academic quarter. Admission to the Bioethics program is considered on a competitive basis for prospective students who hold a bachelor's level or higher degree from a regionally accredited undergraduate college or university. (See admissions criteria for applicants not holding a bachelor's degree.) Multiple criteria are used to select the most qualified candidates. In addition, the Biomedical Science Program Admissions Committee carefully considers the applicant's interests, aptitude, and capacity for graduate study, interpersonal skills, honors, and awards. Selection decisions for the program are made by the Biomedical Sciences Program Admissions Committee with the approval of the Program Director and the Dean of the College of Health Sciences. Decisions for acceptance are made until the maximum enrollment is reached.

Individuals may take one or more classes in the Bioethics program without applying for admission by registering as "non-degree seeking" students. Tuition is per credit and financial aid is not available for such students.

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:

1. 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.
2. A minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 2.75 on a scale of 4.00 for their bachelor's or higher degree program;
3. Official transcripts verifying completion of a bachelor's degree or higher level degree program from a regionally accredited college or university;
4. Two letters of recommendation;
5. Passage of the Midwestern University criminal background check;
6. Commitment to abide by the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.

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Technical Standards for Admission: Master of Bioethics Program

A candidate must have abilities and skills in five areas: 1) observation; 2) communication; 3) motor; 4) intellectual, conceptual, integrative, and quantitative; and 5) behavioral and social. Technological compensation can be made for some limitation in certain of these areas, but a candidate should be able to perform in a reasonably independent manner.

I. Observation: The candidate must be able to accurately make observations at a distance and close at hand. Observation necessitates the functional use of the sense of vision and somatic sensation and is enhanced by the functional use of all of the other senses.

II. Communication: The candidate must be able to communicate effectively, efficiently, and sensitively in both oral and written form and be able to perceive nonverbal communication.

III. Motor: Candidates must be able to coordinate both gross and fine muscular movements, maintain equilibrium, and have functional use of the senses of touch and vision. The candidate must possess sufficient postural control, neuromuscular control, and eye-to-hand coordination to perform profession-specific skills and tasks.

IV. Intellectual, Conceptual, Integrative, and Quantitative Abilities: The candidate must be able to problem solve, measure, calculate, reason, analyze, record, and synthesize large amounts of information in a timely manner. The candidate must be able to comprehend three-dimensional relationships and understand spatial relationships.

V. Behavioral and Social Attributes: The candidate must possess the emotional health required for full utilization of his/her intellectual abilities; the exercise of good judgment; the consistent, prompt completion of all responsibilities; and the development of mature, sensitive, and effective relationships. Candidates must be able to tolerate physically, mentally, and emotionally taxing workloads and to function effectively under stress. The candidate must be able to adapt to changing environments, to display flexibility, and to learn to function in the face of uncertainties. Compassion, integrity, concern for others, effective interpersonal skills, willingness and ability to function as an effective team player, interest and motivation to learn are all personal qualities required during the educational process.

Candidates are required to certify that they understand and meet these Technical Standards. Candidates must provide such certification prior to matriculation. Candidates who may not meet the Technical Standards must inform the Director of Admissions, who will then contact the Dean of Students. The Dean of Students, in consultation with the academic dean (and program director), will identify and discuss what accommodations, if any, the College(/Program) would need to make that would allow the candidate to complete the curriculum. The College(/Program) is not able to grant accommodations that alter the educational standards of the curriculum. Students must meet the Technical Standards for the duration of enrollment in their professional program.

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Application Process and Deadline

Individuals interested in applying for admissions to the Master of Arts in Bioethics degree program may download an application or obtain an application packet by writing or calling:

Office of Admissions
Midwestern University
19555 North 59th Avenue
Glendale, AZ 85308

To be considered for admission, applicants must also:

1. Submit their completed Bioethics Program Application for Admission form;
2. Submit their nonrefundable, non-waivable application fee of $50 (the application fee is waived for dual-degree students);
3. Complete the Bioethics Program's interview process (by invitation only);
4. Submit two signed and sealed letters of recommendation;
5. Submit official transcripts verifying completion of a bachelor's degree or higher level degree program from a regionally accredited college or university.

After receiving completed application packets, the information provided is verified to determine whether all prerequisite coursework has been completed satisfactorily or will be completed prior to potential matriculation and also to verify the cumulative GPAs for all completed courses. Applications meeting all established standards for admission are forwarded to the Bioethics Program Admissions Committee. Applicants will receive written notification of Admissions Committee decisions.

Please Note: Applicants may track the receipt of their application materials and the status of their files on the Midwestern University web site using instructions for accessing account information that will be sent by the Office of Admissions after receipt of their applications. Applicants are responsible for notifying the Office of Admissions of any changes in their mailing address and e-mail address. All requests for application withdrawals must be made in writing

Application Deadline

The Bioethics Program uses a rolling admissions process. Completed applications are reviewed and decisions are made at regular intervals during the admissions cycle. Bioethics students may enter their programs during any academic quarter.

International Applicants

Must complete a minimum of 30 semester hours of coursework from a regionally accredited college or university in the United States, or from a recognized post secondary Canadian institution that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation. Of the 30 semester hours, 15 hours must be in the sciences, six hours in non-remedial English composition, and three hours in speech/public speaking.

Applicants who wish to receive transfer credit for prerequisite coursework completed outside the US or at a Canadian institution that does not use English as its primary language of instruction and documentation must submit an official, detailed, course-by-course evaluation obtained from one of the following evaluation services:

• Educational Credential Evaluators (ECE): 414/289-3400 or Fax 414/289-3411
• World Education Services (WES): 212/966-6311 or Fax 212/739-6100
• Josef Silny & Associates International Education Consultants: 305/273-1616 or Fax 305/273-1338

International applicants who do not provide documentation of acceptable US or Canadian course/degree equivalency will not receive credit, and will be required to complete all prerequisite courses at an accredited college or university in the United States, or at a recognized post-secondary institution in Canada that uses English as its primary language of instruction and documentation.

For clarification about recognized post-secondary institutions in Canada that use English as a primary language of instruction and documentation, international applicants should contact the Midwestern University Office of Admissions.

International Application Packet

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Matriculation Process

The matriculation process begins after an applicant receives notification of his/her acceptance into the Bioethics Program. The student must return both a signed matriculation agreement and an initial deposit to the Office of Admissions. Students must also:

1. Submit deposit monies by the date designated in their matriculation agreement. Deposits are applied toward the first quarter's tuition.
2. Submit official final transcripts verifying completion of a bachelor's degree or higher level degree program from a regionally accredited college or university by the deadline of two weeks (14 calendar days) prior to the first day of classes. For students who are accepted to MWU less than one month prior to the first day of classes, they will have 30 calendar days from the date of their acceptance to submit all official transcripts to the Office of Admissions. Any special circumstances or requests for exceptions to this policy must be made by the Office of the Dean of the college. If students fail to submit all official final transcripts by the stated deadline, their acceptance or continued enrollment in the college may be jeopardized.
3. Submit proof of immunization against measles, mumps, rubella, oral polio (opv), and diphtheria.
4. Submit proof of medical and disability insurance coverage. The student may select either a plan offered by an MWU-approved carrier or a comparable plan offered by an outside carrier of the student's choice.
5. Meet the Technical Standards for the Program.
6. If a non-U.S. citizen/non-permanent resident, provide documentation verifying that sufficient funds have been deposited in a U.S. bank to cover all expenses while attending the College of Health Sciences.
7. Submit additional documents as required by the Office of Admissions.
8. Authorize and pass the Midwestern University criminal background check.
9. Sign and submit the Midwestern University Drug-Free Workplace and Substance Abuse Policy.
10. Complete a physical exam and submit this form and a completed medical file as requested by the Office of Student Services
11. Sign and submit a Credit Policy Statement

If the student either fails to satisfy these matriculation requirements or omits/falsifies information required on official admissions documents, the student automatically forfeits his/her seat in the program.

Articulation Agreement Between Midwestern University Programs

Students enrolled in a Midwestern University program are guaranteed an admission interview with another Midwestern University program if the student:

1. is currently in good standing in the academic program in which the student is enrolled and does not have any pending misconduct charges against him/her;
2. meets all admission requirements for the professional program of interest;
3. after a minimum of two full time quarters of study, achieves a minimum Midwestern University grade point average, derived from all courses completed at Midwestern, that is equal to or greater than 3.0; AND
4. achieves a score on the professional entrance exam (if required) that is not less than one standard deviation below the mean score for students that matriculated into the professional degree program in the previous year.

A guaranteed interview does not guarantee admission into the professional program.

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Related Information

Dual Admission Program

The Bioethics Program offers an educational opportunity to current and incoming physician assistant (PA), occupational therapy (OT), cardiovascular science (M.C.S.), nurse anesthetist (CRNA), biomedical science, podiatric medicine (D.P.M.) and osteopathic medical (D.O.) students. Students accepted into these programs may apply to the Bioethics Program as dual-degree candidates in bioethics. The following policies apply:

1. Applicants must apply and be accepted into the clinical program and Bioethics Program separately. Only applicants meeting minimum entrance requirements for both degree programs will be given an option for admission to the dual-degree program.
2. The clinical degree program will be considered the primary degree program and the Bioethics Program the secondary degree program. Continuity of the primary degree program must be maintained.
3. The length of the secondary program will be extended for a duration of time sufficient to complete the secondary degree program. This is usually three to six months (for OT, CRNA, and M.C.S. students) and may be individualized to accommodate availability of desired courses, academic proficiency, type of track desired in the Bioethics Program (i.e., research or didactic track), and student preferences. The Bioethics 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 the student 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 Bioethics Program is degree-specific. (See degree descriptions.) Some courses from the student's clinical degree program may be deemed suitable for credit in the Bioethics Program degree program. If approved, these courses may be substituted for elective credit in the Bioethics Program up to a maximum of six (6) credits. No Bioethics 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 program shall pay tuition to the Bioethics Program on a per credit basis. Dual-degree students accepted into the Bioethics Program at any time before graduation shall receive a 30% discount on the normal Bioethics 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 Bioethics Program tuition is determined by the number of credits for which the student is registered.

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