Online Master’s Degree in Medical Ethics

As discussion of using of stem cells and artificial reproduction as treatments become more common, ethics in health care is rapidly becoming an popular and highly-demanded focus. A relatively new field and degree program, medical ethics masters programs provide theory and real-life case studies into ethical dilemmas faced by medical professionals in the health care field. Online medical ethics masters degree students can have a direct impact on the health care industry and be agents of change.

Online Master’s Degrees in Medical Ethics Requirements

Online master’s degree students in medical ethics usually have a background in health care administration, nursing, public policy or law. Ethics programs require exceptional critical thinking, reading comprehension, and writing skills. Knowledge of past issues in the field is also useful, as well as courses in philosophy. In addition, distance learning students in any degree program should have a high degree of motivation and drive.

Online masters in medical ethics usually require a bachelor’s degree before application. Common bachelor’s degrees held prior to pursuing an online master in medical ethics may include:

• Bachelor of Nursing
• Bachelor of Arts, Philosophy
• Bachelor of Arts, Health Care Administration
• Bachelor of Arts, Medical Ethics
• Bachelor of Arts, Law and Ethics

A background in philosophy, law, or public advocacy is often desired for applicants to an online masters program in medical ethics. Many students have prior experience in these areas, and concurrently work and participate in a degree program.

Online Medical Ethics Master’s Degree Education

Good online master’s degree programs in medical ethics typically take between 2 to 3 years to complete. The types of medical ethics degrees offered by the best programs online include:

• Master of Arts, Medical Ethics
• Master of Science, Medical Ethics
• Master of Arts, Medical Ethics and Law

Information on Medical Ethics Courses

Courses to earn an online master’s degree in medical ethics involves developing skills in critical thinking, writing, and research. While students will likely specialize in a particular area of interest during their online medical ethics master’s degree program, basic courses are essential to developing needed skills. Required courses for an online master’s in medical ethics may include:

• Health Policy
  This course compares institutional, local, regional, national, and international approaches to public health, health systems, and determination of research and development priorities.
• Law and Health Care Ethics
  This course explores the crucial connection between health law and health care ethics. The course focuses on major ethical themes that have emerged in the law and highlights specific interconnections of doctrines that have come out of landmark cases.
• Philosophical Bioethics
  This course reviews the nature of ethical reasoning, including various epistemological challenges to moral judgment. Major theories of ethics will be introduced, including virtue ethics, natural law, deontology, utilitarianism, casuistry and principals, discourse ethics, and care ethics.
• End of Life Care
  This course will challenge participants to reflect on and examine their own views on disabilities, aging and dying; review historically, culturally and religiously significant patterns for societies’ understanding of aging and death, and medical treatments at the end of life; and, offer analytical tools to critically examine the paradox of harmful life-extension.
• Public Health Ethics
  This course introduces students to ethical issues in population health and the discipline of public health.

Specializations and Concentrations

While basic courses in a top online medical ethics master’s program are required, students will also have an opportunity to specialize their studies. This allows focus their studies in an area of particular use to them, and explore issues they feel are particularly important. Medical ethics can be broken down into three distinct specialties:

• Stem Cell Research Ethics
• Medical Ethics and the Catholic Church
• Medical Ethics and End of Life Care
• Medical Ethics and Public Health Care Policy

Careers in Medical Ethics

The field of medical ethics is rapidly developing across all academic and employment areas. High school diplomas, PhDs and job-specific certificates are all available in a distance learning format, and the industry strongly needs skilled employees to work in this field. From developing distance learning technology to creating appropriate curriculum, distance learning is a new, fulfilling area in which employment is generally growing at a faster than average rate.

Graduates of top online master’s programs in medical ethics may pursue the following career opportunities:

• Bioethics Lawyer
  Bioethics lawyers have earned both a law degree and a masters in medical ethics. Bioethics lawyers litigate difficult cases of medical ethics and assist people caught in the middle of ethical situations. Bioethics is a narrow field of law; bioethics lawyers earn an average of $102,500 per year. Job growth in bioethical law is growing at a faster than average rate.
• Public Healthcare Policy Advocate
  Public health care ethicists influence policy leaders in issues critical to public health. Public health policy advocates earn an average of $65,400 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.
• Medical Ethics Educator
  Medical ethics educators work in a university setting, or work training doctors and lawyers in issues critical in medical ethics. Medical ethics educators earn an average of $62,500 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.
• Medical Ethics Administrator
  Medical ethics administrators manage an ethics board in a hospital or other medical institution. Medical ethics administrators earn an average of $80,000 per year. Job growth is expected at a faster than average rate.
• Medical Ethics Journalist
  A medical ethics journalist keeps abreast of ethical news and works to increase communication around current ethical issues. Medical ethics journalists earn an average of $58,000 per year. Job growth is expected at an average rate.

Medical ethics is an industry that has expanded in every area, and continues to need qualified, skilled workers. A master’s degree in medical ethics from the best online masters degree programs provides essential skills and practice to enter the industry with ease.