The goal of the Master of Divinity/Master of Arts in Bioethics (MDiv/MA Bioethics) dual degree program is to facilitate an interdisciplinary conversation between theology and bioethics and to provide resources for students whose vocational aims require knowledge and/or competence in both disciplines.
Plan of Study and Requirements
A student typically will first complete two and one-half years of work (five semesters, 59-63 credit hours) primarily in the School of Divinity. This dual degree is designed to be completed in seven semesters. The final two semesters will be completed in the bioethics program but with some electives taken in the School of Divinity. Shared courses will be dual degree appropriate, selected from a list of courses agreed upon by the School of Divinity and the bioethics program. Students will complete a total of 91 credit hours in order to earn the dual degree. An outline of a typical MDiv/MA seven semester schedule is shown below.
Typical Dual Degree Program Outline
| Year | Fall | Spring |
|---|---|---|
| Year One | Mainly Divinity (13) | Mainly Divinity (13) |
| Year Two | Mainly Divinity (13) | Mainly Divinity (13) |
| Year Three | Mainly Divinity (13) | Mainly Bioethics (13) |
| Year Four | Mainly Bioethics (13) |
Students are required to complete 61 hours toward the Master of Divinity Degree.
| Code | Title | Hours |
|---|---|---|
| Biblical Studies | ||
| BIB 521 | Old Testament Interpretation I | 3 |
| BIB 522 | Old Testament Interpretation II | 3 |
| BIB 541 | Introduction to New Testament | 3 |
| BIB 542 | Interpreting New Testament Letters | 3 |
| or BIB 543 | Interpreting New Testament Gospels | |
| Biblical Studies elective | 3 | |
| Historical and Theological Studies | ||
| HIS 501 | History of Christianity | 3 |
| HIS 502 | History of Christianity II | 3 |
| THS 501 | Christian Theology | 3 |
| Theology elective | 3 | |
| THS 521 | Foundations of Christian Ethics | 3 |
| or THS 522 | History of Theological Ethics | |
| Ministerial Studies | ||
| MIN 501 | Art of Ministry I: Introduction to the Life and Work of Ministry | 2 |
| MIN 602A | Internship Reflection Seminar | 1.5 |
| MIN 602B | Internship Reflection Seminar | 1.5 |
| One 300-hour ministry internship placement (as described in the Art of Ministry Program section above) | ||
| MIN 705 | Third Year Capstone | 1 |
| Proclamation * | 3 | |
| Relational Care * | 3 | |
| Community Building * | 3 | |
| Formation * | 3 | |
| Divinity Electives | ||
| General Elective | 3 | |
| One Divinity Ethics elective | 3 | |
| Select five hours from the following: | 5 | |
| Clinical Pastoral Education I | ||
Any Pastoral Care elective | ||
Any Theology elective | ||
| Shared Electives | ||
| Elective credit hours chosen from either program | 4 | |
- *
Courses fulfilling these requirements are offered each semester.
MA Bioethics Required Courses (26 hours)
The 26 hours include a 6-credit thesis requirement and 4 elective credit hours from either program. The dual degree program will utilize the current courses offered through both the bioethics program and the School of Divinity.
Advising
Every student in the dual degree program will be assigned a faculty adviser from each school with whom they are expected to meet regularly throughout the duration of the program. Students are required to follow the student handbook of the school through which they are enrolled.
Continuing Eligibility
To continue in the program, the Graduate School requires that a student maintain a minimum cumulative grade point average of 2.5.
This requirement applies to the MA component of the dual degree program. A student who fails to satisfy this requirement will be placed on academic probation and will have one semester to bring their GPA to 2.5 or greater; otherwise, the student may be dismissed from the program. The minimum grade point average required for successful completion of the MA portion of the degree is 3.0. Continuing eligibility in the Master of Divinity program is outlined in the School of Divinity’s Continuing Eligibility Policy.