Master's Degree in

Bioethics

How should we think about moral and ethical issues related to healthcare, scientific research, and emerging technology? The Master of Arts/Bioethics from Trinity Evangelical Divinity School (TEDS) will provide you with the ethical and theological understanding you need to approach these questions with skill and care. Our program will equip you to work in healthcare, science, law, advocacy, clergy, and more.
We offer the MA in Bioethics in several flexible delivery formats. Complete the program in person or online (with one or two weeklong summer courses). Through the research and annual conference at Trinity’s Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity, you will be exposed to the most recent research in the field of Bioethics and have opportunities to network with professionals. Learn to engage with real-world ethical issues in a thoughtful and compassionate manner at TEDS.
"My Masters in Bioethics from Trinity gave me critical knowledge that enabled me to do hundreds of media interviews each year, train healthcare professionals, write for publications, and affect public policy decisions at the state and federal levels"
Dr. David Stevens ’02

About TEDS

Trinity has been entrusted with the Gospel since 1897, and every day we are called to live with purpose. Our purpose as a divinity school is to know the Gospel, live the Gospel and make the Gospel known. In today’s ever-changing culture, Trinity immerses students in a community of biblical orthodoxy and practical living. The Trinity faculty is among the most widely published in evangelical academia and has deeply influenced the leaders shaping the present and future of evangelical Christianity across the globe.

Certificate Options

If you want to study bioethics without committing to our master’s program, then explore our two graduate certificate options. We offer certificates in Pro-Life Advocacy and Engagement and Hippocratic Healthcare Ethics. If you decide to later pursue an MA in Bioethics, your certificate courses will fully count toward your degree.

Why Earn a Master of Arts in Bioethics at TEDS?

Important, Timely Subject

Delve into some of the most complex ethical questions facing medicine, science, and public policy. At Trinity, you’ll not only study bioethics from a rigorous academic perspective but also explore how Christian values and ethics inform and influence the field. We’ll give you the framework and tools to understand and navigate these issues with clarity and compassion.
CBHD Logo

The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity

Get access to The Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity (CBHD), Trinity’s world-class Christian bioethics center. The center engages in research and cultural-engagement initiatives. As a student, you’ll be able to attend CBHD events, including their annual conference.

In-Person and Online Options

Many of our students need flexibility to earn their master’s degree in Bioethics. Some work full time, while others live around the world. We offer courses in four formats, making the program accessible for a variety of needs:
Residential option: Learn in person on our Deerfield, Illinois, campus and have regular face-to-face interactions with students and staff. Access internship opportunities with the Center for Bioethics & Human Dignity or the journal Ethics & Medicine.
Hybrid option: Take a combination of residential, modular, or online courses based on your schedule. You'll be able to take advantage of in-person courses while also taking remote synchronous classes through online streaming.
Modular option: In this option, you'll learn online for most of the semester. You'll then travel to campus for two to three days once or twice during each session (Fall, Spring, and Summer) as part of your coursework. The modular option allows for great flexibility while still allowing you to spend time in person with faculty and classmates. You may also take a mix of modular, hybrid, or online courses for added flexibility.
Online option: Take most of your core and elective courses completely online through remote synchronous and asynchronous coursework. You will visit our Deerfield campus for one or two weeklong courses during our summer sessions. This option allows you the most flexibility, and you can pursue the program with very few trips.

Dual Master's Program Options

At TEDS, you can earn another master’s degree along with your MA in Bioethics without substantially lengthening your degree plan. By earning dual degrees, you’ll be able to study and integrate two different academic fields. This can offer a unique and comprehensive understanding of complex bioethics issues. In addition, earning two degrees at the same time can save you time and money compared to pursuing each degree separately. Finally, your degree programs can provide extra networking opportunities and connections.



At TEDS, you can choose to pursue:

Careers and Outcomes for Bioethics Graduates

The MA in Bioethics will give you a foundation that will enhance many careers related to the field. Many of our graduates pursue careers in:
  • Advocacy
  • Church ministry
  • Education
  • Healthcare
  • Ministry
  • Policy advising
  • Science

Financial Aid

Did you know that nearly 95% of our students receive some form of financial aid? At Trinity we offer scholarships, grants, rebates, and other aid options to help pay for the cost of schooling. Learn more about what is available below or by contacting the Financial Aid Office at [email protected].

Study with the Authors

Experience a classroom setting like none other. At Trinity, you will study under leading theologians, experts, and renowned authors in their specific field. Our professors will not only teach you but invest in your life.
“Some of the most pressing ethical concerns of our day are arising alongside developments in medicine, science, and technology. Now more than ever, we need thought leaders and professionals equipped with the bioethical tools and firm biblical convictions necessary to engage these vital issues from a distinctly Christian perspective. That is what guides our approach to our bioethics program and graduate certificates.”
MICHAEL J. SLEASMAN
DIRECTOR OF BIOETHICS DEGREE PROGRAMS

Prerequisites

In addition to the requirements for general admission, applicants to TEDS Master of Arts in Bioethics program need the following:
  • A bachelor’s degree with a minimum undergraduate GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
  • Scores from the Graduate Record Exam (GRE) or Miller Analogies Test (MAT) may be required if your GPA is less than 3.0 or if the Admissions Office requests them.
Lili Grant
Trinity Evangelical Divinity School Commencement

MA in Bioethics Curriculum

Learn to navigate the intersection of medicine, science, technology, and ethics. You will also complete a capstone project that will prepare you for integrative work in your field.
Foundational Courses: 9 hours
  • Biblical Theology and Interpretation
  • Foundation for Cultural Engagement in Bioethics
  • Theological Bioethics and Contemporary Alternatives
Required Courses: 17-18 hours
  • The Clinical Context
  • Research Ethics
  • Clinical Issues in Bioethics
  • The Public Policy Context
Bioethics Electives: 5-9 hours
  • The Right to Life & the Law
  • Advanced Clinical Ethics
  • Bioethics Practicum

Request Information

Gain the knowledge and Christian foundation needed to address complex ethical issues at TEDS. With our in-person and online Master of Arts in Bioethics, you’ll learn to engage with real-world issues in a nuanced and compassionate way.