Programs in Healthcare Ethics

All Healthcare Ethics (HCE) programs include academic courses and clinical ethics rotations or internships. Students may study full-time or part-time. Part-time students must take a minimum of 2 courses each fall and spring semester.  Typically, HCE degree courses are taught in the afternoon and evening.

The courses are designed with a focus on research competencies. This will better facilitate the writing of dissertations.

The HCE programs include:

Doctoral Degrees (PhD and DHCE)

The Doctoral Degree Programs require twelve courses (thirty-six credits) beyond the Masters.

The Ph.D. and DHCE doctoral degree programs share the same course work requirements followed by written comprehensive exam.  As a research degree, the Ph.D. program requires a six-credit research dissertation.  As a professional degree program, the DHCE program requires a six-credit practical project.

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Baccalaureate Admission to Doctoral Programs

Students with a Bachelor's degree in a field related to health care ethics, such as a humanities degree with a major or minor in ethics, is eligible to apply for admission to a doctoral program. The Baccalaureate Admission track requires sixteen courses (48 credits) beyond the Baccalaureate Degree.

Online Graduate Certificate Program

The Online Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Ethics trains professionals to provide ethics services, including serving on Ethics Committees, undertaking Ethics Consultations, and addressing Education and Policy needs. The program is designed to integrate ethics across the organizations, fostering culturally competent patient-centered care.

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Master of Arts Degree

The M.A. degree program includes a total of ten courses (30 credits). The required courses include a general graduate-level introduction to ethics (HCE 659 Methods in HCE) and a clinical ethics rotation(HCE 646). The remaining eight courses will be chosen by the student with advisement, ordinarily from a list of courses offered in the doctoral program.

There is no requirement for a thesis or for comprehensive examinations.

Admission requirements include a Bachelor's Degree.

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Master of Arts/Juris Doctor (MA/JD) Joint Degree Program

The joint degree program  is between the Center for Healthcare Ethics and the School of Law  The joint degree program enables students to receive both the M.A. and J.D. degrees in  three to three and one-half years of post-baccalaureate study instead of the normal five years. Students need to be admitted into each program.  Each degree is completed and awarded separately.

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Graduate Admission

There is no fee to apply online!

U.S. citizens and permanent residents
(Green Card holders)
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International applicants
(NOT a U.S. citizen or permanent resident)
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Recommendations
Print and complete the appropriate portion of this Recommendation Form, give it to your references, and ask them to submit it with their letter of recommendation.

Contact Us

chce@duq.edu
412.396.4504

Mailing address:

Center for Healthcare Ethics
Duquesne University
300 Fisher Hall
600 Forbes Avenue
Pittsburgh, PA 15282
USA