Theology and Health Care Ethics, Ph.D.

Students who are interested in both bioethics and theological ethics and who wish to write a dissertation on bioethics from a theological perspective should consider Saint Louis University's joint Ph.D. in Theology and Health Care Ethics, offered by the Gnaegi Center for Health Care Ethics and the Department of Theological Studies. Unlike a dual degree, this program offers one degree: a Ph.D. in Theology and Health Care Ethics. 

Curriculum Overview

The degree consists of 60 credits: 27 credits in health care ethics, 21 credits in theology and 12 dissertation research hours. Pre-comprehensive exam coursework can usually be completed in three years (nine credit hours each fall and spring). Non-coursework requirements include reading comprehension of French or German (or another language with approval of both programs), three research tools requirements in Library Database Skills, Medical Terminology and Statistics and Study Design, and written and oral comprehensive exams. 

Fieldwork and Research Opportunities

All joint Ph.D. students take a three-semester, 150-hour clinical practicum to gain experience working in a clinical setting. Students interested in the clinical ethics concentration can complete an additional advanced practicum in which students are placed in active clinical ethics consultation services for 300-plus hours. In addition to these fieldwork opportunities, most Ph.D. students graduate with two or more publications.

Careers

Graduates of this program are highly qualified candidates for academic jobs in theology departments, religion departments or bioethics centers, as well as administrative jobs in mission and ethics in health care institutions. 

Admission Requirements

• Transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• GRE scores
• Resume
• Writing sample 
• Professional goals statement

Tuition 

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Scholarships, Assistantships and Financial Aid

For priority consideration for a graduate assistantship, apply by the program admission deadlines listed. Fellowships and assistantships provide a stipend and may include health insurance and a tuition scholarship for the duration of the award. 

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1. Graduates will be able to demonstrate a broad knowledge of the foundational disciplines, methods, topics and issues in health care ethics required for the scholarly analysis of issues in the field. 
2. Graduates will be able to demonstrate an understanding of the theories and methods that structure the study of theology and religion. 
3. Graduates will be able to demonstrate a proficiency in formulating original, normative theological arguments on topics related to theology and health care ethics.
4. Graduates will be able to demonstrate the ability to conceptualize, develop and bring to successful completion an original, sustained and coherent independent research project that contributes to the field (i.e. the dissertation).
5. Graduates will be able to demonstrate an ability to generate appropriate job search materials (i.e. curriculum vitae, teaching portfolio, writing sample, etc.).

Non-Course Requirements

• Research Tools Requirements (Statistics and Study Design, Library Research Skills, Medical Terminology).
• Reading comprehension of French or German (or another language with approval of faculty). 
• Written and oral comprehensive exams.

Continuation Standards

Students must maintain a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of 3.50 in all graduate/professional courses.

For additional information about our program, contact:

Harold Braswell, Ph.D. 
Graduate program coordinator, Health Care Ethics
harold.braswell@slu.edu