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This program attends to both philosophical and religious ethics as well as contributions from the social sciences and the medical humanities.
Admission to the DO/MA in Bioethics dual-degree program involves an application process during the first semester of the DO program. Students will be notified of acceptance before the end of the fall semester of the first year. Students must be in good standing in the DO program or they may be required to withdraw from the MA in Bioethics portion of the program.
Tuition & Fees
Please see the COM Tuition & Fees section for information on tuition and fees.
Transfer Credit Policy
Transfer credit is limited to six credit hours for the MA in Bioethics dual-degree program. Grades associated with transferred credit hours will not transfer.
The Chair of Bioethics is responsible for determining the applicability of transfer work to the student’s program. All transfer credits must be completed at an accredited graduate school with a grade of B or better. Pass/fail courses will not be accepted in transfer.
Transfer Credit Request forms are available in the Office of the Registrar. Coursework used to satisfy requirements for one graduate degree may not be used to meet the requirements for a second graduate degree. Student requesting transfer credit must provide the following documentation to their academic program:
- Published catalog course description;
- Course syllabus;
- Official transcript noting earned credit for the course(s). Note: Transcripts received from other universities cannot be released to students or third parties. Transcripts submitted for this purpose must be sent directly from the awarding institution to KCU. Transcripts which have been released to the student and/or third parties are not accepted.
To receive transfer credit, students must submit their Transfer Credit Request form along with all corresponding documentation and receive approval prior to the end of their first semester enrolled in the dual-degree program.
Grades & Assessment Policy
Courses are typically three credit hours (37.5 to 45 contact hours) and offered during the fall and spring. In each course, faculty may employ a variety of assessment methods, including:
- Quizzes and examinations, including a final exam
- Class participation
- Small-group discussions
- Group projects
- Research papers
- Class presentations
- Online assignments
- Experiential learning projects.
A percentage of the total point score possible for the course will be calculated based on the points earned.
Following the completion of each semester, the student can review their grades in Workday.
Dismissal from the Master of Arts in Bioethics Program
A student may be dismissed from the bioethics program for any of the following reasons:
- Failing a course.
- Being placed on Academic Probation in the DO program.
- Not maintaining the standards of ethical, moral, personal, and professional conduct required of KCU students.
- Not completing all required course work within six years of matriculation date.
Graduation Requirements
Master of Arts in Bioethics
A student who has fulfilled all the academic requirements may be granted the Master of Arts in Bioethics:
- Satisfactory completion (passing grades) of all required and elective courses, totaling 30 hours.
- Completion of bioethics coursework within six years of matriculation.
After completion of 27 credit hours of the MA in Bioethics, three credit hours of Bioethics earned for the DO degree will be transferred to the MA degree and the three required credit hours for the DO degree will be waived. This will complete the requirement of 30 credit hours for the MA in Bioethics.
All records are reviewed to determine whether the student has fulfilled all academic requirements, has maintained the standards of ethical, moral, personal and professional conduct required of a recipient of masters of arts degree in bioethics.
Commencement Ceremony
Participation in the commencement ceremony is mandatory for all students who have fulfilled their degree requirements.
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