NYMC > School of Health Sciences and Practice (SHSP) > SHSP Academics > Degrees > M.S. in Bioethics > Goals and Core Competencies

Bioethics Goals and Core Competencies

Goals and Objectives

The M.S. Degree and the Advanced Certificate goals & objectives are as follows:

Goal 1: To foster students’ development of competence as ethics scholars, including developing skills of ethical deliberation and implementing moral action strategies.

Objectives: Our first goal specifies an emphasis on training in the skills of ethics. The intent is for students to acquire the knowledge and skills necessary to understand, analyze, plan, and act on personal and professional values related to bioethics. We have three interrelated objectives that originate from this goal, that our students develop proficiency in:

    • Demonstrating awareness of the ethical, legal, and social implications of issues related to bioethics.
    • Examining existing frameworks and challenging normative assumptions and expectations
    • Communicating one’s decision and moral action strategy to various stakeholders and parties.

Goal 2: To foster students’ development of interest in the medical, scientific, social, and humanities-based questions related to health.

Objectives: Our second goal is meant to promote self-directed and life-long learning. We have two interrelated objectives that originate from this goal, that our students develop proficiency in:

    • Demonstrating awareness of how language and culture influence the way people understand concepts such as health, wellness, and illness.
    • Engaging in personal introspection into one’s attitudes, beliefs, opinions, and feelings about one’s own and others’ cultural and moral premises as they relate to health, wellness, and illness.

Core Competencies

Upon graduation, a student with an M.S. degree or an Advanced Certificate should be able to manifest the following core competencies:

  • Identify basic theories, concepts, and models of bioethics.
  • Develop the skills of ethical reasoning to reach ethically defensible resolutions.
  • Appreciate the ways in which ethical values are integral to the practice of medicine and health care delivery, both in the clinical encounter and from an organizational perspective.
  • Develop communication skills and implementation strategies to deal effectively with ethical issues.