Program Director Mark Hall
Overview
Sponsored by the Wake Forest University School of Divinity and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences, the MDiv/MA in Bioethics facilitates an interdisciplinary conversation between theology and bioethics and provides resources for students whose vocational aims require knowledge and/or competence in both disciplines.
The MDiv/MA can be completed in as little as seven semesters. A student typically completes two and one-half years of work (five semesters) primarily in the School of Divinity. The final two semesters are completed in the Bioethics Graduate Program but with some electives taken in the School of Divinity. Shared courses are dual degree appropriate, selected from a list of courses agreed upon by the School of Divinity and the Bioethics Graduate Program.
A MDiv/MA Bioethics student earns 61 credit hours from the Divinity program, 26 credit hours from the Bioethics program (including either 4 credit BIE capstone (BIE 795) or 6-credit BIE thesis requirement (BIE 791/792), and 4-6 elective hours from either program. All students must take BIE 703 (3 hours) and BIE 706/BIE 707 (3 hours). Additionally, students must take two of the three following courses: BIE 702 (3 hours), BIE 704 (3 hours), and BIE 705 (3 hours).
For additional degree requirements, see Requirements for Degrees.
Admission to the dual degree program is a two-tiered process. Interested students must apply separately to the School of Divinity and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and be accepted for admission by both schools. These applications do not need to be simultaneous, but students should indicate on each application their desire to be considered for the dual degree program. Applications are reviewed separately by each program’s admissions committee. Alternatively, students may submit a separate application to enroll in the dual degree program if already admitted to either School. Typically, students make application to the dual degree program by the time they complete one semester in either School. A joint admissions committee composed of members from both schools makes final admissions decisions. The joint committee also oversees and reviews admissions policies for the dual degree. The Graduate Record Exam (GRE) is optional for applications to the Bioethics Graduate Program. The School of Divinity recommends, but does not require, GRE scores.
Students are required to follow the student handbook of the school through which they are enrolled. To continue in the program, a student must remain in good academic standing with both the School of Divinity and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences.
