MA in Bioethics/MSN


Why pursue an MA-Bioethics/MSN dual degree?

The purpose of the program is to prepare advance practice nurses from the very onset of their careers to be equipped to identify, address, and assess ethical issues as they appear in clinical practice and healthcare administration. Students who graduate with a dual MA-Bioethics/MSN degree will not only be prepared to enhance the care they provide to patients, but also will be prepared to work on issues of public and institutional policy as it relates to the provision of clinical care, to serve on ethics committees, or to conduct education on the ethical foundations of clinical practice.

As one of only three universities in the US offering a dual MA-Bioethics/MSN degree, you would be poised to differentiate yourself from other professionals by demonstrating that you have the interest in and capacity to address the most timely and challenging ethical issues facing your profession.

Degree Information

Students will apply to each program for admission separately, and if accepted to both programs will fulfill the requirements of the programs in parallel. Candidates for the dual-degree program must apply to each school separately. Evaluation criteria for admission to the School of Nursing for students in the dual-degree program are the same as those for the MSN program alone; similarly, evaluation criteria for admission to Laney Graduate School for students in the dual-degree program are the same as those for the MA-Bioethics Program alone. Students accepted into the dual-degree program will be notified of acceptance by both schools. If students are accepted into one school but not the other, they may enroll in the school that has accepted them, but not as a dual-degree student. Upon admission to the dual-degree program, students should consult with the appropriate program director of each school to plan their courses of study.

Students will complete the standard 30 credit hours for the MA-Bioethics curriculum, as well as the standard number of credit hours for the appropriate MSN program (variable depending on program). Students will complete one thesis that meets the requirements for both programs, so thesis hours are likely to be shared.

In all cases, students will complete their first year of coursework in the MA-Bioethics Program and their second year at the School of Nursing. This arrangement is to facilitate the completion of students’ clinical rotations in a coherent and consistent manner.

Students normally complete the MA-Bioethics in 1-2 years, and the MSN in 2-3 years. This dual degree program should not increase time to degree.

Below are the curricula for the MA-Bioethics Program and the MSN Program.

Table 1. MA-Bioethics Program
SemesterClass (credits)
Fall
  • Foundations in Bioethics I (3)
  • Foundations in Bioethics II (3)
  • Bioethics Seminar (1)
  • Elective (3)
  • Elective (3)
Spring
  • Foundations in Bioethics III (3)
  • Practicum(4)
  • Bioethics Seminar (1)
  • Elective (3)
Summer
  • Thesis*(3)
  • Elective (3)
Table 2. MSN Program
Credit BreakdownCredit Breakdown
FallTLSCSummerTLSC
Total16Total15
Becoming an APRN I11Management of Acute and Chronic
Illness of Adults/Adolescents I I
211
Staying Healthy211Advanced Pediatric Practice II22
Clinical Conference in
Specialty(clinical hours
maybeincreasedbased
onspecialty needs)
211Clinical Conference in Specialty
(clinical hours may be increased
based on specialty needs)
413
Advanced Health Assessment321*Quality and Patient Safety/Project
or Research Practicum
321*
Pediatric Advanced Health
Assessment
11Behavioral Health Issues in
Advanced Nursing Practice
22
Research and Evidence
BasedPractice
33Optional Electives2
Innovative Leadership for
HealthProfessions
33
Basic Procedural Skills
for the APRN
11*
Table 2.1 MSN Program
Credit BreakdownCredit Breakdown
FallTLSCSummerTLSC
Total15Total11
Management of Acute and
ChronicIllness of
Adults/Adolescents I
211Palliative Care Across the Spectrum211
Advanced Pediatric Practice I22Clinical Conference in Specialty
(clinical hours may be increased
based on specialty needs)
514
Clinical Conference in
Specialty(clinical hours
maybeincreasedbased
onspecialty needs)
514Becoming an APRN II11
Advanced Pathophysiology33Genetics22
Advanced Pharmacology/
Pharmacotherapeutics
33Dissemination: Practical
Improvement/Research Project
11
Optional ElectivesOptional Electives
KEY:
  • Scientific Foundation Core
  • Scholarly Practice Core
  • Advanced Practice Core
  • Specialty Specific Core
  • T= total number of credit hours
  • L=Lecture 1:1
  • S=Seminar 1:2
  • C=Clinical 1:4
*Clinical contains lab hours

Financial Implications

During their residency in School of Nursing, students will be charged the current rate of tuition in the School of Nursing. When enrolled in the Laney Graduate School, the student will be charged the current rate of tuition for the MA-Bioethics Program. School-sponsored scholarships and grants are applicable only to those semesters in which the student is in residency at the respective schools.

MSN Programs

Given that each program in nursing is unique and independent, the following sections briefly describe the need for each dual degree program according to the specific program at the SON with which we would partner. Students will choose one program in which to enroll for the MSN; depending on this program, the student’s schedule may differ. Regardless, students will complete the first year of coursework at Laney Graduate School, and the remaining time at the School of Nursing.

Specific information on the program in particular departments

Applying for the MSN/MA-Bioethics Dual Degree

Candidates for the dual degree program must apply to each school separately. Evaluation criteria for admission to the School of Nursing for students in the dual-degree program are the same as those for the MSN program alone; similarly, evaluation criteria for admission to Laney Graduate School for students in the dual degree program are the same as those for the MA-Bioethics Program alone.

Students accepted into the dual degree program will be notified of acceptance by both schools. If students are accepted into one school but not the other, they may enroll in the school that has accepted them, but not as a dual degree student.

Upon admission to the dual degree program, students should consult with the appropriate program director of each school to plan their courses of study.