The Graduate Certificate in Bioethics provides an educational opportunity at the graduate level for current and future professionals and others throughout the country interested in bioethics, including health care providers, researchers in biomedicine and the life sciences, lawyers, and professionals in religion, health and research administration, and the biotechnology industry. The Graduate Certificate is a freestanding program of graduate study in which students attend the same classes as students in the Master of Arts in Bioethics graduate program. It is offered to increase the flexibility and attractiveness of graduate study in bioethics, particularly to working professionals who wish to add bioethics knowledge to their professional practice.
The Graduate Certificate requires 12 hours of course work with an average grade of B or above. At least 9 hours must come from courses indicated below as “required courses.” There is no thesis requirement. All work must be completed within four years of the date of initial enrollment in the graduate program. Up to 3 hours of transfer credit may be considered in place of elective course work. Transfer credit acceptance is based on review and approval of grades, course syllabi, and other relevant information. Certificate students are able to complete the program in as little as two semesters on a part-time basis.
Admissions
The application requirements for the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics are identical to that of Master of Arts in Bioethics with the exception that there is no standardized test requirement. Application materials should be submitted directly to the Reynolda Campus Graduate School of Arts and Sciences. A complete application will contain all of the following:
- Application for admission (for the Certificate, this must be printed and mailed. No on-line application is currently available)
- Official transcripts – find more information here.
- Three letters of recommendations using the appropriate guidelines.
- Current curriculum vitae or resume
- Statement of Interest – The statement of interest should be approximately 300-600 words describing how you expect the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics will relate to your current and/or future work and interests. More information here.
- Application fee (currently 60.00).
Students wishing to change from the Graduate Certificate to the Master of Arts will be expected to qualify for and apply to move into the Master of Arts degree program. Successful completion of the Certificate program does not guarantee admission to the Master of Arts degree program.
Tuition and Financial Aid
Assuming part-time enrollment (9 credit hours or less in a given semester), Graduate Certificate students pay the hourly tuition rate established by the Graduate School.
Institutional limited need-based scholarships are available for Graduate Certificate students. Information and application procedures can be found here.
As non-degree seeking students, Graduate Certificate students are not eligible for federal financial aid.