Dual-Degree Program

We offer motivated students the opportunity to earn a Master of Arts in Medical Humanities & Bioethics in conjunction with the Master of Science in Genetic Counseling. Northwestern University is one of the only universities in the country to offer such a unique dual-degree program.

The Bioethics and Medical Humanities program emphasizes the interdisciplinary nature of ethics and medicine and complements much of the curriculum of the genetic counseling program. Students take courses in the history of medicine, the philosophical foundations of bioethics, law and medicine, literature and the social sciences.

The degree is designed as a part-time program for working professionals, medical students, law students and genetic counseling students. Classes are offered at night to accommodate students' other coursework and rotations. On-campus classes take place over the same six quarters as the genetic counseling program.

For course descriptions, faculty bios and financial information, please visit the Center for Bioethics & Medical Humanities website.

Interested applicants should indicate on their application that they are applying to the dual-degree program. Applicants to the dual-degree program are required to submit two additional documents: 

• A letter of recommendation from faculty or an employer who can address your interest in bioethics and/or medical humanities, your qualifications for the Graduate Program in Genetic Counseling and your ability to do graduate-level humanities work.
• In your Academic Statement, please include why you are applying to the dual degree program in Bioethics and Medical Humanities.