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Medical Humanities (Master of Arts)

Creighton University’s Master of Arts in Medical Humanities provides students who are interested in healthcare a broad, interdisciplinary understanding of health, illness, suffering, and care. Rooted in Jesuit values, the program examines how health-related concepts are shaped by cultural, spiritual, political, and economic practices.

A graduate education in medical humanities is more than just a degree – it’s an opportunity to draw on the wisdom of individuals who are experts in humanities and social sciences, including literature, history, philosophy, anthropology, psychology, sociology, ethics, religious studies and the arts. The broad application of disciplines helps students uncover the enduring questions about the human experience of medicine and healthcare practice. With an emphasis on critical reflection and the development of personal and professional discernment, the program prepares students to enter professional or academic careers that focus on the care of others.

“You will not leave this program unchanged. This is an opportunity to explore enduring questions related to health, illness, caregiving, disability, and mortality in a way that reveals not only the complexities of healthcare but also the human condition.”
—Nicole Piemonte, PhD | Co-Program Director

A master’s in medical humanities is designed not only for students who intend to pursue health-related careers, but also for students interested in examining larger questions about suffering, mortality, care, and justice. Whether you are applying to a medical or health profession school, or are interested in a career in academia, you will graduate with the ability to apply the perspective of medical humanities to your work.

Program Details

Program Goals and Curriculum

Graduate school is an investment of your time and money, so we make sure your investment is a smart one—and one that you can fit with your goals and interests. This 30-credit program will provide synchronous online learning and an immersive two-week palliative medicine or hospice care experience arranged through the Creighton campus in Omaha or Phoenix or locally in your own town.

You’ll also learn about what matters to you. About half of your credits will be earned through electives, which tailors your degree to your interests. The medical humanities program is housed in the School of Medicine, which means you'll have the opportunity to learn from and alongside an interdisciplinary group of students and educators, including healthcare clinicians.

Your education will also be practical. As part of your curriculum, you’ll participate in a practicum experience. During your practicum, you’ll see firsthand what it’s like to care for patients with serious or terminal illnesses and be encouraged to reflect on these experiences with your classmates and faculty. Engaging with patients, families, and the healthcare team in this capacity can help you discover where you might fit in clinical care or healthcare education.

To earn this degree, you must complete 30 credit hours in either of the two tracks:

Track 1 (with Thesis):

Medical Humanities
Medical Ethics
Healthcare and Social Justice
Student Interest Selective
Professional Development Course
Research Methods and Ethics
End-of-Life Care in the Clinical Setting
Special Topics in Medical Humanities*
Thesis Research and Writing

Track 2 (without Thesis):

Medical Humanities
Medical Ethics
Healthcare and Social Justice
Student Interest Selective
Research Methods
End-of-Life Care in the Clinical Setting
Special Topics in Medical Humanities*
Capstone

*Special Topics courses include content related to History of Medicine, Narratives of Medicine/Healthcare, Literature and Medicine, Medical Anthropology, Religion and Medicine, Art and Medicine, etc.

Faculty

Creighton’s Medical Humanities faculty are experts in a variety of fields, which allows them to personalize programs to individual students’ needs and interests. Their research covers a wide range of disciplines, from Fine Arts to Molecular Biology, and they encourage a collaborative, interdisciplinary approach between departments and research partners.

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Meet the Program Faculty

Admission Requirements

To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts in Medical Humanities program, applicants must:

Complete an application
Possess a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited college or university
- Preference is given to applicants with an undergraduate background with courses in the humanities, arts, social sciences, or health professions.
Provide official transcripts from all educational institutions attended. Read more about sending transcripts here

Submit a personal statement
Submit three letters of recommendation from faculty or workplace supervisor
Include a writing sample, preferably an essay or other written product, that reflects an issue related to healthcare or medical humanities.
Graduates of foreign universities for whom English is not the first language are required to take the TOEFL examination (see Creighton University Graduate School Bulletin).

Due to the specific features and requirements of this program, international students cannot be admitted. Unique situations may be discussed with your enrollment specialist.

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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.

Still have questions? Email or call a friendly financial specialist at 402.280.2731 for any additional questions you may have.

View Cost of Attendance

Learn More About Funding Your Education

Fill Out the FAFSA Application

Dates and Deadlines

The table below details the enrollment deadlines and starting dates of courses for the current academic year. If you have any questions about dates, deadlines, or application materials, please contact an admissions advisor for personalized assistance.