Master of Arts in Bioethics and Science Policy - Public Impact and Engagement

The Master of Arts in Bioethics and Science Policy is the only program in the country that combines bioethics and science policy to teach students how to thoughtfully identify, analyze, and propose solutions to address cutting edge and historical developments in science, medicine, technology and policy. The program will provide a foundation in the history, philosophy, legal, social, and theoretical approaches to bioethical analysis, as well as in science and health policy. Another distinctive feature of the program is the option for students to select a topical area in which to concentrate their advanced studies. These concentrations represent existing or emerging areas of knowledge that pose complex questions about the relationship between science, ethics, and society. The three pre-designed concentrations are Genomics, Neuroscience, and Public Impact and Engagement. Students may also design an independent concentration with program faculty. In addition to coursework, each student will complete a capstone project under the guidance of a faculty mentor: either an in-depth research paper, or a field placement to gain practical experience (“practicum”), with a written report analyzing the experience and integrating concepts learned in the program. The capstone project is designed to demonstrate that a student has acquired extensive knowledge of current thinking in bioethics; has collected, synthesized, and reflected on these issues; and has developed competence in scholarly writing. Situated within the Science & Society initiative at Duke, the Master of Arts in Bioethics and Science Policy and the broader initiative offer a host of workshops and programs to deepen student understanding of the field, help students consider career options, and connect students with leaders in bioethics and science policy and with other departments on campus. These extra-curricular offerings include a monthly Science & Society Roundtable, a Distinguished Speaker Series, monthly career luncheons, joint workshops with other Duke entities, and a yearly career fair in Washington, D.C. Full time students can complete the program in 3 semesters, one of which can be during the summer, but it is recommended that students without background or experience in bioethics take 1.5-2 years to complete the program. A distinctive feature of Duke’s MA in Bioethics & Science Policy is the opportunity to concentrate in a specific area to allow students to focus on an existing or emerging area that poses fundamental questions about the relationship between science, ethics, and society. A concentration consists of four electives: Background course in concentration area * Two electives in concentration area One general elective Public Impact & Engagement This concentration enables students to bring the tools and understandings of investigative journalism, humanities scholarship, and community engagement/citizen science to bear on ethical and policy questions in science and health policy.