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)
- MHE 609 Capstone (3)
- Electives (9 credits)
Admission Requirements
To be considered for admission to the MA in Medical Humanities and Ethics program, applicants must:
- Complete an application
- Possess a bachelor’s degree with a 3.0 GPA or higher
- Provide official transcripts from all educational institutions attended (read more about sending transcripts)
- Include a resume or curriculum vita
- Submit a personal statement (see application for specific requirements
- Submit an essay (see application for specific requirements)
- 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
See the enrollment deadlines and starting dates of courses for the current academic year below. If you have any questions about dates, deadlines, or application materials, please contact an admissions advisor for personalized assistance.
- 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. Visit our financial aid site for more details.
Financial Aid
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.
Have questions? Email or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731 for any additional questions.
Kevin T. FitzGerald, SJ, PhD, Program Director, MA in Medical Humanities and Ethics
“We are going to need a much richer and more comprehensive understanding of what it means to be human and what it means to be ‘well’ in order to deliver the kind of care people need and deserve. The MA program in Medical Humanities and Bioethics is designed to give our students the time and tools to develop that comprehensive understanding and the skills to bring it to patients, families and colleagues who will greatly benefit from the Creighton approach to health care.”
