Dual Graduate Degree Program with Genetic Counseling
Curriculum
Our program emphasizes the interdisciplinary study of medicine and bioethics through the humanities. An introduction to our core disciplines and how they fit together can be found on our main Master of Arts program page (which may or may not have led you here).
The MA curriculum for GC/MHB dual-degree students consists of nine total courses—six core courses (taught by our acclaimed Graduate Faculty), two units of shorter seminars that span multiple quarters, and a capstone project. Below is a graphical representation of the curriculum, as it is commonly taken by GC/MHB students. Hover over a course’s title for its description.
| Quarter | First Year | Second Year |
|---|---|---|
| Fall | ||
| Winter | ||
| Spring | ||
| Summer |
Logistics
This program is designed to fit with your Genetic Counseling program. The core courses (MHB 401-406) meet in the evening, from 6 to 9pm, once weekly. The Special Topics course meets every Thursday from noon to 12:45pm. All classes meet on Northwestern University's Chicago campus.
Alumni Outcomes
Equipped with both the MS and MA degrees, Genetic Counseling/Medical Humanities & Bioethics graduates often enrich their clinical counseling work by teaching, publishing, and presenting on ethics and humanities issues in their rapidly changing field. In addition to being equipped to take on institutional leadership roles in ethics and participate in policymaking more broadly, our graduates find that their MHB education informs and strengthens their everyday clinical practice.
Admissions
Applications to this dual-degree program are handled by the Genetic Counseling program. Applicants should indicate in their application that they are interested in pursuing the dual-degree program and should address their interest in both degrees in their academic statement. Please follow the GC program's guidelines for letters of recommendation. A letter that addresses your interest in bioethics and/or the medical humanities and your ability to do graduate-level humanities work is encouraged but not required.
We are committed diversity and inclusion, and strongly encourage applications from members of under-represented and marginalized groups, including women, racial and ethnic minorities, and LGBTQ+ applicants. Northwestern University does not discriminate or permit discrimination by any member of its community against any individual on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, parental status, marital status, age, disability, citizenship, or veteran status in matters of admissions, employment, housing, or services or in the educational programs or activities it operates. Learn more about Diversity and Inclusion at Feinberg.
If you have questions about the Medical Humanities & Bioethics program specifically, please contact MHB Graduate Program Coordinator Bryan Morrison. For all other questions, please contact the Genetic Counseling program.
Tuition
The cost of pursuing the master of arts degree as a Genetic Counseling student is one-half the cost of pursuing it as a single degree. Genetic Counseling students entering in Fall 2024 will pay $40,400 total for the degree (versus approximately $80,800 as a single-degree student). Additionally, significant need-based grants to reduce MA tuition are available directly from the MHB program.
Contact Us
Contact Bryan Morrison for additional information or assistance.