Medicine with Bioethics
Emory University’s Medicine with Bioethics program is a five-year, full-time integrated academic pathway designed for students who wish to complement their medical education with an in-depth understanding of bioethics. Through this dual curriculum, students simultaneously earn their medical degree while completing a Master of Arts in Bioethics, allowing them to critically examine the ethical, legal, and philosophical issues that arise in clinical practice, medical research, and health policy. This program fosters a holistic perspective that prepares future physicians not only to treat patients, but also to engage in ethical decision-making, advocate for patient rights, and shape healthcare systems grounded in compassion and justice.
The curriculum blends coursework in moral philosophy, healthcare ethics, and medical humanities with clinical rotations and biomedical science training. Students benefit from Emory’s strong faculty expertise in both the School of Medicine and the Center for Ethics, gaining mentorship from thought leaders in bioethics, law, and clinical care. The program is designed to encourage reflection, dialogue, and application of ethical principles in real clinical settings. With opportunities for research, policy work, and interdisciplinary engagement, students graduate with a distinctive skill set that equips them to navigate the complexities of modern medicine with clarity, integrity, and empathy.
Key information
Key Facts
- Program Title: Medicine with Bioethics
- Degree Type: Master of Arts
- Duration: 5 years
- Mode of Study: Full-time, On Campus
- Application Deadline: 15 October 2026
- Location: Emory University, United States
- Field of Study: Medicine
- Language of Instruction: English
Program Structure
Year 1 – Medical Foundations and Ethical Inquiry
- Human Anatomy and Medical Physiology
- Fundamentals of Bioethics
- Foundations of Clinical Reasoning
- Moral Philosophy and Healthcare Ethics
Year 2 – Clinical Medicine and Ethical Contexts
- Pathophysiology and Pharmacology
- Ethics of Human Subject Research
- Doctoring and Clinical Skills Lab
- Cultural and Religious Perspectives in Medicine
Year 3 – Core Clinical Rotations and Applied Bioethics
- Internal Medicine, Pediatrics, and Surgery
- Bioethics in Clinical Practice Seminar
- Psychiatry and Behavioral Medicine
- Ethics Rounds in Hospital Settings
Year 4 – Research, Advocacy, and Interdisciplinary Study
- Medical Ethics Research Project
- Law and Medicine
- Health Policy and Justice in Healthcare
- Narrative Medicine and Reflective Practice
Year 5 – Integration and Transition to Practice
- Sub-Internships and Residency Preparation
- Capstone in Bioethics and Clinical Leadership
- Clinical Decision-Making and Legal Frameworks
- Seminar: Professionalism and Moral Responsibility
Career Opportunities
Graduates of the Medicine with Bioethics program are uniquely qualified to pursue careers as clinicians, educators, policy advisors, and ethics consultants. In addition to practicing medicine, many serve on hospital ethics committees, contribute to healthcare policy, or lead institutional review boards that guide research integrity. This dual training is especially valuable in fields such as palliative care, psychiatry, genetics, public health, and medical education, where ethical dilemmas are frequent and complex. Alumni often become thought leaders who shape institutional culture, advise health systems, and influence public discourse on pressing topics like end-of-life care, informed consent, and health equity. The bioethics component of the degree also supports entry into roles within global health, humanitarian organizations, and academic institutions where medical knowledge and ethical leadership are both essential. Emory’s strong reputation and interdisciplinary approach ensure that graduates are prepared to meet the evolving moral challenges of contemporary healthcare with insight, empathy, and confidence.
Why Choose This Program
This program offers an exceptional opportunity to unite clinical training with ethical scholarship, empowering future physicians to become both competent caregivers and principled leaders. Emory University stands out for its deep institutional commitment to bioethics, reflected in its world-renowned Center for Ethics and integration of ethical reflection into all levels of medical education. Students benefit from a curriculum that is both academically rigorous and practically relevant, enriched by real-world experiences in hospitals, policy settings, and interdisciplinary research. Located in Atlanta, students are positioned within a diverse urban environment that presents real-time case studies in health justice, cultural sensitivity, and systemic inequality. The program attracts students who are not only committed to the science of healing but also to the moral dimensions of care, making it an ideal path for those who seek to lead meaningful change in healthcare, grounded in ethical purpose and human dignity.
Contact Information
For further information, please contact the admissions office at:
Phone: +1 404 727 6123
Email: contentedit@emory.edu
Address: University of Emory, 201 Dowman Drive, Atlanta, GA 30322, United States
