Dear Prospective Student:
Welcome to The Bioethics Institute of Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles! As you are no doubt aware, bioethics is one of the most interesting and fastest growing fields of study. It is difficult to pick up a newspaper or to listen to a national news broadcast on any given day and not be drawn into one or other of the most controversial bioethical topics facing contemporary society today—issues like the use of human embryos in stem cell research or the alteration of our genetic make-up through the Human Genome Project or the use of fertility drugs to enhance pregnancy.
As a multidisciplinary field of study, bioethics has only been around since the early 70s. It is concerned with the ethical dimensions of the new scientific discoveries in the life sciences and genetics, the technological developments in medicine and pharmacology, and the delivery of healthcare to patients. It is one of the most challenging fields, but it is also one of the most rewarding.
The Bioethics Institute offers two distinct academic programs to meet your needs. The first is a Master of Arts in Bioethics degree, which is a 30 semester-hour program and can be completed in 2 years. The second is a Graduate Certificate in Bioethics, which requires 4 courses and can be completed in one year. Each of these programs will provide you with opportunities to study under an award-winning faculty who possess both the academic training and the clinical experience to engage you in your graduate studies. Whether you are interested in becoming a leader in bioethics in your medical center, or preparing to go on to further training in medical or law school, or wanting to learn how to make a difference in the just distribution of healthcare, The Bioethics Institute and its faculty will offer you the skills and knowledge to accomplish your goals.
Please take some time to review our website and to learn about all the academic and clinical opportunities that await you in The Bioethics Institute.
Sincerely,
James J. Walter, PhD
Austin & Ann O'Malley Professor of Bioethics and Chair (2004-2009)
