Graduate Bioethics Education Programs Results

This database is a reflection of the nature of a crowdsourcing project. ABPD is not endorsing these individual educational programs.

For more information about Bioethics and Humanities Academic Programs, please visit the ASBH webpage.

For more information about additional master’s and doctoral programs in bioethics, please visit the Hastings Center webpage.

Question Answer

Master’s Degree

Please indicate the type of degree associated with your educational program: Master of Science (MS)
Educational program name: Columbia University In-Person and Hybrid Masters of Bioethics Programs
What institution administers your educational program? Columbia University
What bioethics program, department, or division administers your educational program? Masters of Bioethics Program
City: New York
State/Province: New York
Country: United States
Year first class matriculated: 2009
Educational program website:
Does the educational program have a designated faculty program director? Yes
Program Directors Name Robert Klitzman, MD
Program Directors Title Program Director, and Professor of Psychiatry, College of Physicians and Surgeons and Joseph Mailman School of PublicHealth
Program Directors Email rlk2@columbia.edu
Program Directors Phone 646-774-6912
Does the educational program have a designated staff program administrator? Yes
Program Administrators Name Patricia Contino
Program Administrators Title
Program Administrators Email pc2561@cumc.columbia.edu
Program Administrators Phone 646-774-6912
What are the educational program’s admission requirements? Degree(s)
Transcript(s)
Standardized test(s)
Letters of recommendation
CV or resume
Statement of interest
Degree(s) Master’s degree
Standardized test(s) GRE, MCAT or LSAT unless applicant has prior graduate degree

Number of letters of recommendation: 2
Is the educational program offered with a dual degree? Yes
In conjunction with what other degree(s) is the educational program offered? MPH

What is the minimum length of time to complete the full-time educational program?
What is the minimum length of time to complete the part-time educational program?
What is the typical length of time to complete the full-time educational program?
What is the typical length of time to complete the part-time educational program?
Is the educational program offered online or in-person? In-person only
What is the educational program’s average annual new trainee enrollment size? (Average over the last two years) 23
What is the cost per credit?
What is the educational program’s total tuition and fees?
More information on tuition: The amount varies whether the student wishes to take the courses for credit or not. The not for credit option is one-third the tuition. We also have various scholarships available. Many students also take government-sponsored loans.
Does the educational program offer tuition scholarships? Yes
Please describe what types of scholarships are available: Several different kinds are available
Does the educational program offer an annual stipend for trainees? No
What is the stipend per trainee?
What, if any, specific tracks/specializations are offered as part of the educational program? Clinical ethics, research ethics, public policy and ethics
How many credit hours are required to graduate? 36
How many courses are required to graduate? 12
Required course Philosophy of Bioethics
Research Ethics
Introduction to Clinical Ethics
Law and Bioethics
Global Bioethics
Masters Thesis

Elective Advanced Clinical Ethics
Empirical Ethics
Neuroethics
Reproductive Ethics
Clinical Ethcs Practicum
Environmental Ethics
E-Health and Ethics
Ethics and the Pharmaceutical Industry
Pastoral Care and Bioethics
Journalism and Bioethics
Masters Thesis Workshop
Clinical Ethics Consultation
Clinical Ethics Practicum
Science for Bioethicists
Journalism and Bioethics
Religion and Bioethics
Health policy and ethics
Science for Bioethicists

Is there a clinical component associated with the educational program? Yes
Does the educational program provide training in clinical ethics consultation? Yes
On average, how many clinical ethics consultations do your trainees participate in as an observer?
On average, how many formal clinical ethics consultations do your trainees lead? (i.e., interact with the provider/patient/surrogate and write the chart note)?
Do all of your trainees lead a minimum of 30 clinical ethics consultations (i.e., interact with the provider/patient/ surrogate and write the chart note)? No
Is the training in clinical ethics consultation grounded in the ASBH Core Competencies? Yes
Are trainees periodically assessed and evaluated for meeting the skills and knowledge necessary to carry out clinical ethics consultations in accord with the ASBH Core Competencies? No
How are trainees evaluated?
Do trainees complete an oral exam offered by a panel of three clinical ethics fellowship program directors? No
Are graduates purported by the educational program to be competent to conduct independent clinical ethics consultations? No
Does the educational program require any of the following to graduate? Thesis
Do graduates receive a certificate or diploma upon successful completion? Yes