Degree: Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
Field of Study: Bioethics

Program Overview

The goal of the PhD program is to train scholars in the conceptualization, design, and conduct of interdisciplinary research on issues in bioethics, medical humanities, and related areas.  Candidates may enter the program from any discipline. All doctoral students will become fluent in the ways in which bioethics and medical humanities scholarship employ concepts and methods from the humanities, social sciences, clinical research, jurisprudence, and health policy. The Department of Bioethics is a multi-disciplinary learning environment, with faculty representing the fields of philosophy, anthropology, psychology, history, literature, public health, law, medicine, and nursing. The doctoral program’s curriculum is organized around core areas which include: normative and social science theory and methods; research ethics; clinical ethics; public health ethics; and medical humanities.  Concentrations are available to students interested in 1) problems in genetics and genomics; 2) stem cell research and regenerative medicine; 3) research ethics and public health ethics; 4) clinical ethics; and 5) medicine, society and culture (medical humanities and social medicine).

PhD Policies

For PhD policies and procedures, please review the School of Graduate Studies section of the General Bulletin.

Program Requirements

Candidates should have a strong background in the social/behavioral sciences, public health/health services research, legal/health policy research, or philosophy and related humanities disciplines.  An overall grade point average of 3.3 out of 4.0 (at the undergraduate level) is preferred.  Applicants must demonstrate competency in the English language.