Master of Arts in Bioethics

MA Program Application Process

The Master of Arts in Bioethics is a complementary degree program, rather than a terminal or professional degree, such as an MPH or MBA program. Therefore, our program has been crafted to work best for students who already have a graduate or professional degree, plan to pursue a professional degree program concurrently with our MA program (e.g., Nursing, Social Work, or Law) or otherwise have an established career in a health-related field. For more information about concurrent degree programs, see Graduate School Policy. This opportunity is open to all eligible persons regardless of race, sex or other identity.

Important Notice: Starting with the January 2025 application cycle, the department will only consider applications from Fellows sponsored by the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care. Please check back with the department in Autumn 2026 if you are not eligible to apply under the current configuration. The department will be reviewing and redesigning its master’s program and anticipates reinstating broader admissions eligibility once that process is complete.

Application Requirements

Complete the Application for Graduate Study at the University of Washington (select Bioethics and Humanities Program) between December 1 and January 15
Submit transcripts for degrees earned
Submit a personal statement
Submit an essay in response to a specific case study (do not submit a writing sample)
Ensure three letters of recommendation are submitted by January 15
If you have questions about the application, please reach out to the Academic Program Manager at bhadvise@uw.edu

Admissions Timeline

Mid-February: Admissions decisions are conveyed through Slate and are final
Mid-April: If you have been admitted, you must accept, decline, or defer the offer and your admission decision is final
Late-September: If you have been admitted and accepted, plan to attend orientation and begin your autumn coursework

Course Requirements

MA in Bioethics Requirements

Ethical Theory (10 credits)
Empirical Research Methods (6 credits)
Clinical Ethics (6 credits)
Research Ethics (3 credits)
Approved Elective Courses (6 credits)
Practicum (3 credits)
Masters’ Project (6 credits)

Minimum of 40 credits

For more details, please review the BH Graduate Handbook

Tuition and Funding for Students

Tuition Rate

The tuition level is Graduate Tier II, see: Office of Planning and Budgeting, Current Tuition and Fees. Forty credits are required for the MA in Bioethics, students typically take six credits per quarter (autumn, winter, and spring) for two years. Use the Graduate Tuition Dashboard to calculate your tuition fees according to credit hour, see: Tuition Rates. For tuition questions, complete the contact form on the Office of the Registrar website.

Funding

See Graduate School Funding for Students for student assistantships, fellowships, grants, federal loans, work study, and employment opportunities. Also consider the Wylie Burke Endowed Scholarship for Diversity described here.

Tuition Exemption

State employees: See State Employee Tuition Exemption
UW employees: See Human Resources Professional and Organizational Development: Tuition Exemption. To determine your eligibility, email Professional & Organizational Development (POD) at pod@uw.edu, and include your Employee Identification Number (EIN) and quarter you wish to attend in your message. The tuition exemption benefit covers up to 6 applicable credits per quarter. Neither the Office of the University Registrar nor the Department of Bioethics and Humanities can determine an employee's tuition exemption eligibility. Note: all UW Employess register on the 3rd day of the quarter and Non-UW Washington State Employees register on the 4th day of the quarter.

Contacts

Academic Program Manager
bhadvise@uw.edu

Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) Admissions

The Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) application is available. Please note the GNM application dates below. For questions or assistance, please email bhadvise@uw.edu.

Quarter	Application Dates
Autumn	Opens: July 1 Closes: August 15
Winter	Opens: November 1 Closes: December 15
Spring	Opens: January 1 Closes: February 15

GNM Student Status

Graduate Non-Matriculated (GNM) status permits post-baccalaureate students to take graduate level courses. Up to 12 credits of appropriate courses taken successfully as a GNM student may be applied towards a degree, if students are admitted into a degree program at a later date. Individuals who want to register for graduate courses at the UW, but do not plan to apply the credits they earn toward a graduate-level degree, should consider Non-Matriculated (NM) student status instead.

In addition to the GNM Admission requirements stablished by the Graduate School, GNM applicants to the Bioethics Program should provide a one paragraph response stating why they are interested in Bioethics and if they plan to apply to the masters program. Once accepted, GNM students should plan to register for courses.

Information about registering for courses as a GNM with tuition exemption can be found here.

Information about registering for courses as a GNM without tuition exemption can be found here.

GNM students should consider taking three graduate level courses applicable to the MA degree in Bioethics (500 level and above) and attain a competitive grades in each course, if they plan to apply to the MA in Bioethics program. Please note, GNM student status does not guarantee admission into the MA in Bioethics program. If admitted, then the GNM student status is changed to regular graduate student status, and all courses suitable for the program taken as a GNM student (no more than 12 credits) will be credited towards the degree. If you are considering applying for Autumn 2025 admission, please note the following: The admissions criteria for people applying to enter the program Autumn 2025 have changed. The department will only consider applications from Fellows sponsored by the Treuman Katz Center for Pediatric Bioethics and Palliative Care. Please check back with the department in Autumn 2026 if you are not eligible to apply under the current configuration. The department will be reviewing and redesigning its Master’s program and anticipates reinstating new admissions for a larger group once that process is complete.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I qualify for tuition exemptions, waivers, or reductions? Possibly, see if you qualify for Tuition Waivers, Exemptions, and Reductions. BH staff members cannot make this determination.
I would like to take BH courses the year prior to applying for the MA program. What do I need to do so that the credits “apply” to the MA if I am accepted? Prospective MA students may take our courses in anticipation of applying, provided they have permission from the instructor and there is room in the course. In addition, before taking courses, students must apply for admission as a Graduate Non-Matriculating (GNM) student. GNM students who hope to transfer UW credits into the MA program should take applicable courses for a grade.
How many UW credits taken as a GNM student may be applied to the MA degree? A maximum of 12. Note: No more than 12 credits derived from any combination of UW GNM credits and transfer credits may be applied to the MA program. Courses must be pertinent to the study of bioethics. See Graduate School Policy.
As a UW faculty or staff member, may I audit BH courses? Possibly. Non-matriculating students who sign up for our courses must: 1) secure permission from the instructor prior to registering for the course; 2) register and pay for the course; 3) complete assigned work; and 4) take the course for credit. Admission of non-matriculating students into a course is contingent on space availability.
Does BH provide funding for MA students? We do not offer enough funding to cover the cost of tuition. We administer the Wylie Burke Endowed Scholarship in the amount of approximately $500-$1000, yearly.