Curriculum
The program requires successful completion of a minimum of 64 term credits, including a practicum and a thesis seminar. Upon matriculation, each student charts a program of study to meet individual goals.
Full-time students typically complete the degree over four 8-week academic terms plus a few credits during the summer. Part-time students must complete program requirements within four years.
In addition to formal coursework, practicum, and thesis, all students will participate in a variety of supplemental seminars in bioethics, such as the Berman Institute Noontime Seminar Series, Robert H. Levi Symposium, Shallenberger Lecture in Ethics, and the Sheila Hutzler-Rives Memorial Lecture in Palliative Care. These events allow students to interact with a broad network of national and international leaders in bioethics.
700.601 Foundations of Bioethics with Anne Barnhill PhD and BI Core Faculty
Offers an introduction to central approaches and issues in bioethics. Includes a discussion of the history of the field and the issues that led to its birth and growth internationally. Introduces philosophical, empirical and non-empirical approaches to bioethics and core ethical issues in clinical care, public health, science and research. Provides a foundation for future study in bioethics.
700.602 Hot Topics in Bioethics with Travis Rieder, PhD and BI Core Faculty
Offers a continuation of the exploration of ethical theory and its use in bioethics begun in “Introduction to Ethical Theory”. Utilizes the conceptual and methodological tools from “Ethical Theory” in analyzing topics and cases currently being discussed in bioethics. Although topics change from year to year, common themes include: discussion of legal changes concerning end of life; the ethics of new reproductive technologies; ethical challenges concerning genome-editing technologies; and global ethical challenges such as climate change and resource allocation.
700.603 Introduction to Ethical Theory with Travis Rieder, PhD
Explores the relationship between philosophical ethical theory and the practical world of bioethics. In particular, examines the classical accounts of moral obligation and virtue in the context of a variety of contemporary bioethical problems. Further presents the distinction between individual bioethics and collective bioethics, with the goal of determining how the theoretical grounding for these fields differ. The motivating questions are both methodological and substantive: First, how does theory contribute to bioethical investigations? And second, does reflection on ethical theory tell us what to do concerning particular, bioethical problems?
700.604 Methods in Bioethics with Jeremy Sugarman, MD, MPH, MA
Describes the range of methods used in bioethics research and practice, including philosophy, law, history, religion, and quantitative/qualitative research techniques. Emphasizes the strengths and weaknesses of each method in addressing bioethical questions or problems. Illustrates each method with contemporary examples from bioethics and public health. Exposes students to experts in various methods. Presents one cross-cutting example of an issue addressed by all methods. Discusses the challenges of interdisciplinary and multi-disciplinary research.
Expected Courses
To gain a comprehensive view of bioethics, students are expected to take a range of courses during their time at Johns Hopkins. Some of the courses relevant to MBE course of study include:
- Bioethics, Human Rights, and Global Health
- Bioethics and the Law
- Ethics in Clinical Practice
- Ethics and Decision-Making in Clinical Practice
- Nutrition Ethics and Policy
- Germs, Genes, Patients, & Populations
- Ethics, Policy, and Emerging Biomedical Technologies
Focused on the Future
As a graduate of the MBE program, you will be equipped to drive the responsible pursuit of new knowledge and you will be prepared to help develop new tools to consider society’s thorniest issues through a cross-disciplinary lens.
Advances in health care and scientific research benefit people around the world. From the first ventilator to the first vaccine, scientific and technological discoveries have prolonged life and alleviated human suffering while advancing health-related knowledge. However, such advancements often present challenging ethical questions for individuals and society related to appropriate use, access, safety, rights and obligations.
The MBE program prepares you to make meaningful contributions at the intersection of health sciences and societal impact.
