MSN-MA in Bioethics Dual Degree
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Program Overview
This program prepares advance practice nurses to identify, address, and assess ethical issues as they appear in clinical practice and healthcare administration. Students who graduate with a dual MA-Bioethics/MSN degree will be prepared to work on issues of public and institutional policy as it relates to the provision of clinical care, to serve on ethics committees, or to conduct education on the ethical foundations of clinical practice.
Curriculum
Students will apply to each program for admission separately, and if accepted to both programs will fulfill the requirements of the programs in parallel. Candidates for the dual-degree program must apply to each school separately. Evaluation criteria for admission to the School of Nursing for students in the dual-degree program are the same as those for the MSN program alone; similarly, evaluation criteria for admission to Laney Graduate School for students in the dual-degree program are the same as those for the MA-Bioethics Program alone. Students accepted into the dual-degree program will be notified of acceptance by both schools. If students are accepted into one school but not the other, they may enroll in the school that has accepted them, but not as a dual-degree student. Upon admission to the dual-degree program, students should consult with the appropriate program director of each school to plan their courses of study.
Students will complete the standard 30 credit hours for the MA-Bioethics curriculum, as well as the standard number of credit hours for the appropriate MSN program (variable depending on program). Students will complete one thesis that meets the requirements for both programs, so thesis hours are likely to be shared.
In all cases, students will complete their first year of coursework in the MA-Bioethics Program and their second year at the School of Nursing. This arrangement is to facilitate the completion of students’ clinical rotations in a coherent and consistent manner.
Students normally complete the MA-Bioethics in 1-2 years, and the MSN in 2-3 years. This dual degree program should not increase time to degree.
Below are the curricula for the MA-Bioethics Program and the MSN Program.
Degree Information
| Semester | Class (credits) |
|---|---|
| Fall |
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| Spring |
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| Summer |
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| Credit Breakdown | Credit Breakdown | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | T | L | S | C | Summer | T | L | S | C |
| Total | 16 | Total | 15 | ||||||
| Becoming an APRN I | 1 | 1 | Management of Acute and Chronic Illness of Adults/Adolescents I I | 2 | 1 | 1 | |||
| Staying Healthy | 2 | 1 | 1 | Advanced Pediatric Practice II | 2 | 2 | |||
| Clinical Conference in Specialty(clinical hours maybeincreasedbased onspecialty needs) | 2 | 1 | 1 | Clinical Conference in Specialty (clinical hours may be increased based on specialty needs) | 4 | 1 | 3 | ||
| Advanced Health Assessment | 3 | 2 | 1* | Quality and Patient Safety/Project or Research Practicum | 3 | 2 | 1* | ||
| Pediatric Advanced Health Assessment | 1 | 1 | Behavioral Health Issues in Advanced Nursing Practice | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Research and Evidence BasedPractice | 3 | 3 | Optional Electives | 2 | |||||
| Innovative Leadership for HealthProfessions | 3 | 3 | |||||||
| Basic Procedural Skills for the APRN | 1 | 1* | |||||||
| Credit Breakdown | Credit Breakdown | ||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall | T | L | S | C | Summer | T | L | S | C |
| Total | 15 | Total | 11 | ||||||
| Management of Acute and ChronicIllness of Adults/Adolescents I | 2 | 1 | 1 | Palliative Care Across the Spectrum | 2 | 1 | 1 | ||
| Advanced Pediatric Practice I | 2 | 2 | Clinical Conference in Specialty (clinical hours may be increased based on specialty needs) | 5 | 1 | 4 | |||
| Clinical Conference in Specialty(clinical hours maybeincreasedbased onspecialty needs) | 5 | 1 | 4 | Becoming an APRN II | 1 | 1 | |||
| Advanced Pathophysiology | 3 | 3 | Genetics | 2 | 2 | ||||
| Advanced Pharmacology/ Pharmacotherapeutics | 3 | 3 | Dissemination: Practical Improvement/Research Project | 1 | 1 | ||||
| Optional Electives | Optional Electives | ||||||||
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| *Clinical contains lab hours |
Admissions
Financial Implications
During their residency in School of Nursing, students will be charged the current rate of tuition in the School of Nursing. When enrolled in the Laney Graduate School, the student will be charged the current rate of tuition for the MA-Bioethics Program. School-sponsored scholarships and grants are applicable only to those semesters in which the student is in residency at the respective schools.
MSN Program Considerations
Given that each program in nursing is unique and independent, the following sections briefly describe the need for each dual degree program according to the specific program at the SON with which we would partner. Students will choose one program in which to enroll for the MSN; depending on this program, the student’s schedule may differ. Regardless, students will complete the first year of coursework at Laney Graduate School, and the remaining time at the School of Nursing.
Requirements
To be considered for MSN admission, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Candidates for the dual degree program must apply to each school separately. Evaluation criteria for admission to the School of Nursing for students in the dual-degree program are the same as those for the MSN program alone; similarly, evaluation criteria for admission to Laney Graduate School for students in the dual degree program are the same as those for the MA-Bioethics Program alone.
- Laney Graduate School Application
- Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing Application
- Students accepted into the dual degree program will be notified of acceptance by both schools. If students are accepted into one school but not the other, they may enroll in the school that has accepted them, but not as a dual degree student.
- Upon admission to the dual degree program, students should consult with the appropriate program director of each school to plan their courses of study.
Requirements for MSN admission include:
- A baccalaureate degree from an accredited nursing program (CCNE, NLNAC)
- Unencumbered RN license in the state of Georgia or a multistate RN license
*Check specific requirements for specialty of interest.
- Application for admission
- $50 application fee
- Official transcripts from each school attended
- Resume
- Personal statement
- 2 to 3 references (preference for at least one to be a nursing supervisor)
- Students with international nursing degrees must provide an evaluation from Commission on Graduates of Foreign Nursing Schools for previous nursing coursework.
- Students with international transcripts for non-nursing degrees must provide an evaluation from World Education Services for previous non-nursing coursework.
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores are required if English is a second language. View Emory University's accepted tests policy.
Preferred Method: Choose Emory University - School of Nursing in the electronic transcript systems or have your school email your official transcripts to nursingquestions@emory.edu.
If your school does not participate in the electronic transcript system or cannot email your transcripts, please have them mail a hard copy to:
Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs
Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing
Emory University
1520 Clifton Road
Atlanta, GA 30322
All courses and degrees in the application checklist must be verified by the Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs before they are marked as received.
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Admission decisions are based upon candidate competitiveness as well as program availability. Applicants may be placed on a waitlist. Decisions for waitlisted applicants are announced as seats become available, up to the first day of orientation. Application deadlines can be found here.
Questions? Call us at the our Office of Enrollment and Student Affairs at 404.727.7980 or email nursingquestions@emory.edu.
Policies & Guidelines
Applicants to any of our distance-accessible courses/ programs that may lead to professional licensure or certification should become familiar with the regulations governing distance accessible programs in their state. Licensure requirements vary from state to state and by professional organization. Emory is working toward developing a database to provide this information. Prospective students residing in states other than Georgia and those states identified, should contact their state’s Board of Nursing and Department of Education for specific rules and regulations pertaining to completion of clinical learning experiences in that state when enrolled in a distance-accessible program.
Emory University undergoes accreditation at the university level and throughout our colleges and schools to ensure our educational programs meet the highest standards. The Nell Hodgson Woodruff School of Nursing is accredited by multiple organizations. View our Accreditations.