Program goals

PROGRAM GOALS AND CURRICULUM

Graduate school is an investment of your time and money, so we make sure your investment is a smart one—and one that you can fit with your goals and interests. This 30-credit program will provide synchronous online learning and an immersive two-week palliative medicine or hospice care experience arranged through the Creighton campus in Omaha or Phoenix or locally in your own town.

You’ll also learn about what matters to you. About half of your credits will be earned through electives, which tailors your degree to your interests. The medical humanities program is housed in the School of Medicine, which means you'll have the opportunity to learn from and alongside an interdisciplinary group of students and educators, including healthcare clinicians.

Your education will also be practical. As part of your curriculum, you’ll participate in a practicum experience. During your practicum, you’ll see firsthand what it’s like to care for patients with serious or terminal illnesses and be encouraged to reflect on these experiences with your classmates and faculty. Engaging with patients, families, and the health care team in this capacity can help you discover where you might fit in clinical care or health care education.

To earn this degree, you must complete 30 credit hours in either of the two tracks:

Track 1 (with Thesis):

• Medical Humanities
• Medical Ethics
• Healthcare and Social Justice
• Student Interest Selective
• Professional Development Course
• Research Methods and Ethics
• End-of-Life Care in the Clinical Setting
• Special Topics in Medical Humanities*
• Thesis Research and Writing

Track 2 (without Thesis):

• Medical Humanities
• Medical Ethics
• Healthcare and Social Justice
• Student Interest Selective
• Research Methods
• End-of-Life Care in the Clinical Setting
• Special Topics in Medical Humanities*
• Capstone

*Special Topics courses include content related to History of Medicine, Narratives of Medicine/Healthcare, Literature and Medicine, Medical Anthropology, Religion and Medicine, Art and Medicine, etc.

SPECIFIC APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

To be considered for admission to the Master of Arts in Medical Humanities program, applicants must:

• Complete an application and submit a $50 application fee
• Possess a bachelor’s degree with a minimum 3.0 GPA from an accredited college or university
  • Preference is given to applicants with an undergraduate background with courses in the humanities, arts, social sciences, or health professions.
• Provide official transcripts from all educational institutions attended. Read more about sending transcripts here
• Submit a personal statement
• Submit three letters of recommendation from faculty or workplace supervisor
• Include a writing sample, preferably an essay or other written product, that reflects an issue related to healthcare or medical humanities.
• Graduates of foreign universities for whom English is not the first language are required to take the TOEFL examination (see Creighton University Graduate School Bulletin).

Due to the specific features and requirements of this program, international students cannot be admitted. Unique situations may be discussed with your enrollment specialist.