The Dual Degree (MD-MS) program can be completed within the 4-year Medical School curriculum. MD-MS dual degree students complete the MS portion of the curriculum in the first two years at Tulane School of Medicine. M.S. coursework the program is set up to allow integration with the MD curriculum and will ensure that MS classes do not conflict with the scheduled and required MD curriculum and through elective coursework offered in the summer before and after Year 1.
Limited scholarships are available for highly qualified students.
MD/MS Dual Degree Program FAQ
Dual Perspective: Medicine + Ethics
Students graduate with both an MD and an MS in Bioethics & Medical Humanities, giving them the ability to navigate complex ethical decisions in modern healthcare.
Examples of topics they study:
end-of-life decision making
patient autonomy
health equity
emerging medical technologies
Why it matters:
Medicine is becoming more ethically complex, and clinicians need formal training in these issues.
Prepare for Leadership Roles in Healthcare
Graduates are uniquely positioned to become leaders in:
hospital ethics committees
healthcare policy
academic medicine
research ethics boards
public health leadership
This degree helps physicians influence how medicine is practiced and governed, not just deliver care.
Interdisciplinary Education
The program integrates perspectives from:
medicine
philosophy
law
sociology
public health
Students learn to evaluate medical decisions from multiple societal and ethical perspectives, which is increasingly important in modern healthcare systems.
Real-World Ethical Case Experience
Students engage in:
clinical ethics consultations
case discussions
interdisciplinary seminars
This provides practical training in real ethical dilemmas faced in hospitals and healthcare systems.
Focus on Health Equity and Social Justice
Many bioethics programs emphasize addressing:
health disparities
access to care
structural inequities in healthcare
This is especially meaningful in New Orleans and the Gulf South, where healthcare equity issues are prominent.
Strong Preparation for Academic Medicine
Students interested in careers involving:
teaching
research
medical education
health policy
benefit from additional scholarly training in ethics and humanities.
Distinguish Yourself in Competitive Fields
An MD/MS Bioethics degree helps students stand out when applying for:
competitive residencies
fellowships
leadership roles
Programs increasingly value physicians who understand ethical, social, and policy dimensions of medicine.
Curriculum
| Term | Bioethics Track | Medical Humanities Track |
|---|---|---|
| Summer Prior to Year 1 | Elective 1 (3) Medical Humanities (3) | Elective 1 (3) Medical Humanities (3) |
| Year 1, Semester 1 | Current Controversies in Healthcare (3) | Current Controversies in Healthcare (3) |
| Year 1, Semester 2 | Foundations in Bioethics (3) Clinical Ethics (3) | Foundations in Bioethics (3) History of Medicine (3) |
| Summer | Elective 2 (3) Elective 3 (3) | Elective 2 (3) Elective 3 (3) |
| Year 2, Semester 1 | Ethical Theory (3) Research Ethics (3) | Narrative Medicine (3) Medicine in Literature and Film (3) |
| Year 2, Semester 2 | Capstone Project (3) | Capstone Project (3) |
| Total Hours | 21 hours Required courses 9 hours Elective courses TOTAL = 30 hours | |
How to Apply
Our application process is streamlined for medical students and may be submitted through our online portal.
- Click on the button below and register to create an account
- Select Biomedical Sciences
- Select the Masters in Bioethics
You may apply with only a writing sample and personal statement. Your transcripts, verified MCAT score report, and letters of recommendation will be pulled from your medical school application, or may be sent directly to the Biomedical Sciences office.
Application Deadline
Applications for dual degree students are due April 15 of the year you intend to start taking classes.
