The Master of Arts in Bioethics is a complementary degree program, rather than a terminal or professional degree, such as an MPH or MBA program. Therefore our program has been crafted to work best for students who already have a graduate or professional degree, plan to pursue a professional degree program concurrently with our MA program (e.g., Nursing, Social Work, or Law) or otherwise have an established career in a health-related field.
For more information about concurrent degree programs, see Graduate School Policy 1.5: Concurrent Degree Programs. Unfortunately, it is not an option for UW medical students to concurrently enroll in our degree program due to conflicting course schedules. UW medical students may enroll in our MA before or after completing their MD.
Apply here. If you would like to take our courses before you apply, you may transfer up to 12 credit hours of BH courses taken prior to acceptance into the graduate program. You may take these courses if you are already enrolled in a UW Graduate program, or by registering as a graduate non-matriculated (GNM) student (see the instructions for registering as a GNM student).
Requirements
- Complete the Application for Graduate Study at the University of Washington (select Bioethics and Humanities Program) by January 15
- Submit transcripts for degrees earned, see: Official Transcripts Requirements
- Submit a personal statement. Because our program does not offer a terminal or professional degree, we encourage applicants to pay careful attention to crafting their personal statement. While your personal statement will be unique to you, please make sure it addresses the following questions:
- What personal, professional, or educational experiences have shaped your current interests and goals?
- How will a UW MA in Bioethics help you to further your interests and/or achieve your goals?
- Our program is a complementary graduate program. How will our program augment the training or experience you already possess or will concurrently receive? If you do not already have a graduate degree, plan to concurrently enroll in another degree program, or have extensive professional work experience in a health-related field, please explain why you believe the UW MA in Bioethics is the best course of action at this time.
- Submit an essay in response to the essay prompt (do not submit a writing sample instead)
- Ensure three letters of recommendation are completed in MyGrad by January 15
- If you selected “no” to the question Are you a native English speaker? in your graduate school application, you will be asked to demonstrate English language proficiency
Advisor Meeting
Before submitting an application, we encourage prospective students to meet with our graduate program advisor. Please contact bhadvise@uw.edu.
Admissions Timeline
- Mid-February: admissions decisions are conveyed through the MyGrad program and are final.
- March 1: if you have been admitted, you must accept, decline, or defer the offer on MyGrad program. Your admission decision is final.
- Late-September: if you have been admitted and accepted, begin your autumn coursework
Transfer Credits and Graduate Non-Matriculated Students
You may take up to 12 credit hours of BH courses prior to your acceptance into the graduate program. You may take these courses if you are already enrolled in a UW Graduate program, or by registering as a graduate non-matriculated (GNM) student (see the Graduate School: Graduate Non-Matriculated Students). To register as a GNM student, you must apply and meet with the advisor by the deadlines that follow by emailing bhadvise@uw.edu.
GNM Application Deadlines
Quarter |
Deadline |
Autumn |
August 15 |
Winter |
December 15 |
Spring |
February 15 |