The Master of Science in Philosophy and Bioethics program integrates training in philosophical analysis and ethical reasoning with applied bioethics, with particular attention to contemporary and practical ethical concerns across medicine, health care, biomedical research, and the life sciences. Students develop skills in conceptual analysis, argumentation, ethical evaluation, and case reasoning. Their work culminates in a capstone project or thesis through which students integrate the knowledge gained in the program and develop their own interests within the field of bioethics.

The program Philosophy and Bioethics is available as a 4+1 program and as a stand-alone master's. It prepares graduates for a wide range of career paths in health care institutions, the biotech industry, ethics committees, public policy settings, non-profit organizations, and medical education environments. Students may also use the MS degree as a springboard for further study in philosophy, bioethics, law, medicine, or the health humanities.

MS Degree in Philosophy and Bioethics Admissions Requirement

Applicants to the MS program must hold a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and typically have a minimum overall GPA of 3.0, including a 3.0 in their major.

4+1 Philosophy and Bioethics (MS Program) at Tulane

The terminal MS Degree may be earned in one of two ways:

• 30 Credit hours total which includes satisfactory completion of 24 hours of coursework (8 courses) and submission and defense of a thesis (6 credits). This route is not intended for candidates for the PhD.

• Satisfactory completion of 30 hours of coursework (10 courses)

  The 4+1 MS degree will be awarded to students who obtain either of the following:     

  Passing grades in 30 credit hours of graduate level courses (i.e., 6000-level and 7000-level). Passing grades in 24 credit hours of graduate level courses and a Master's thesis (6 credits). The first option will be encouraged in most cases.  In order to satisfy either of these options, it will be necessary to carry over a number of courses from the undergraduate degree.  The requirements for the Philosophy Major in the B.A. degree include two courses at the 6000-level. ONE AND ONLY ONE of those courses can count toward the 4+1 MS requirements. Up to 6 graduate-level credit hours taken while an undergraduate can count toward both the UG and GR degrees. In addition, up to 6 additional graduate hours taken while an undergrad but that do not count for credit toward the undergrad degree may be applied to the 4+1 MS. In other words, those are overload credits for the undergraduate degree. 

  Further details and information about the application process may be obtained from the Directors of The MS in Philosophy and Bioethics, Dr. Tzofit Ofengenden and Dr. Chara Kokkiou. 

​Course Requirements (for both 4+1 and MS) 

Course List

Course ID	Title	Credits
Core Courses (Select 5)		15
Students will select 5 of the 6 core courses; however, the capstone is mandatory unless the student chooses to write a thesis. The core courses are subject to change.
BEMH 6002	Foundations in Bioethics
BEMH 6003	Medical Humanities
BEMH 6009	Current Controversies in Bioethics
PHIL 6132	Reproductive Health: Bodies, Ethics, and Technology
PHIL 6133	Compassion and Care Ethics in Medicine
BEMH 6020	Capstone
Elective Course (5) See Options Below		15

Elective Courses (5) 

Students can select electives from both the Bioethics and Medical Humanities program and the Philosophy department, or from either one.

Course List

Course ID	Title	Credits
Elective Courses (Select 5)		15-20
BEMH Electives
BEMH 6001	Neuroethics: The Ethics of Neuroscience and the Neuroscience of Ethics
BEMH 6006	The Doctor As Author
BEMH 6007	Ethical Theory
BEMH 6013	Medicine and Identity
BEMH 6018	Feminist Theory and Practice in Medicine
BEMH 6021	Jewish Bioethics
BEMH 6022	Disability: Past, Present, and Future
BEMH 6023	Animal Ethics
BEMH 6025	Ethics of Death and Dying
BEMH 6810	Special Topics
Philosophy Electives
PHIL 6050	Moral Philosophy
PHIL 6105	Philosophy of Neuroscience
PHIL 6130	Moral Psychology & Meta-Ethics
PHIL 6150	Freedom & The Self
PHIL 6170	Philosophy of Perception

^{Program String and Banner Code: MDMS_GR, BEPH}

For more information, please review our program at medicine.tulane.edu/education/biomedical-sciences-graduate-program.