Combined MD/MA Program

Our program emphasizes the interdisciplinary study of bioethics through the humanities and the values-oriented social sciences. The goal of the program is a rigorous master's level education in the legal, historical, philosophical, and cultural contexts of medicine. Graduates will be able to use their multidisciplinary understanding of medicine in their teaching, advising, and ethical decision making.

Logistics

This program is designed to fit around Feinberg's medical curriculum. There are two options for completing the MA coursework (illustrated below). Both options allow time to study for the boards and to complete your clinical rotations. The core courses (MHB 401-406) meet from 6 to 9pm once weekly. The Special Topics lectures meet every Thursday from noon to 12:45pm, and the lectures are often recorded and made available for download for those unable to attend. All classes meet on Northwestern's Chicago campus.

Curriculum

Our curriculum consists of eight courses, two tutorial and a master's thesis. The two most common ways to complete curriculum are illustrated below. Courses can be completed in any order. Click on a course's title for its description.

Admissions

Applications to the MD/MA program ordinarily begin with an application for admission to Northwestern's Feinberg School of Medicine. There is a separate application for the master's degree portion of the program, because this degree is provided by the Graduate School. Since our application deadline is much later than Feinberg's, we recommend that you wait to hear that you have been accepted into the medical school before completing the second application.

In addition to the application and application fee, you must provide a one-page statement of purpose describing why you are seeking a combined-degree program. We require two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or employer. You may reuse one letter that was written for your medical school application, but at least one letter must address your interest in medical humanities and bioethics and your ability to do graduate-level work. You may also submit a writing sample; this is optional. The GRE is not required but may bolster your application.

If English is not your native language, you must provide official scores from the TOEFL or IELTS standardized test that fulfill the requirements defined by The Graduate School. You are exempt from this requirement if you have previously completed a degree from an accredited institution where the primary language of instruction is English. This will be verified by your transcripts.

After you have been admitted to the MD program at Feinberg School of Medicine, you may apply online through The Graduate School. CLICK HERE TO APPLY.

Applications and all supplemental materials must be received by the application deadline—see below.

Tuition

The tuition for the MA portion of MD/MA program is approximately $28,500 (versus approximately $52,000 for the MA as a freestanding student). Your MA tuition follows the same billing cycle as the medical tuition, with the first half of each year's tuition in the summer and the second in the winter. The annual cost for the 2012-2013 academic year is $6,805. This amount is set by the Medical School. Increases should be expected in each new academic year.

Financial aid is available from the program on a need basis. We calculate your MA aid level using the aid level determined by the Office of Financial Aid for your Feinberg tuition. We will reduce your MA tuition by 90% of what Feinberg reduces your medical tuition; e.g., if Feinberg reduces your tuition by 50%, we will reduce your MA tuition by 45%. (We cannot match exactly because we lose 10% of incoming tuition to administrative fees.) We offer no merit-based aid at this time.

Contact

If after reading this you have any questions, please contact Graduate Program Coordinator Bryan Morrison.