About the Program

Humanizing healthcare is the mission of the Medical Humanities program at Drew University. The curriculum melds academic inquiry with real-world experience to prepare students for careers throughout the healthcare industry. Students participate in practicums at hospitals, non-profits and other healthcare organizations throughout the greater New York City region. Close faculty mentorship guides graduate students through rigorous research and practical experience, which prepares them for careers as healthcare professionals and advocates.

Program Requirements

Certificate of Medical Humanities (15 credits) requires the completion of 3 mandatory courses–Biomedical Ethics, Medical Narrative and Clinical Practicum–and two elective courses are taken as seminars.

Certificate of Research Ethics (15 credits) meets the seven NIH core competencies. Students complete five mandatory courses: Foundations of Research Ethics; International Research Ethics; Research Ethics and Law; Social, Cultural and Religious Issues in Research; and the Ethical Conduct of Research and Research Oversight Practicum.

Master of Medical Humanities (33 credits) requires the completion of 10 courses, including 4 mandatory courses—Biomedical Ethics, Medical Narrative, Clinical Practicum and Thesis Research. All MMH candidates must complete a 50–75 page master’s thesis.

Doctor of Medical Humanities (45 credits) requires the completion 12 courses, including four mandatory courses—Biomedical Ethics, Medical Narrative, Clinical Practicum and The Joy of Scholarly Writing. All DMH candidates must complete a 150–220 page doctoral dissertation. Prerequisite: All DMH applicants must have an MMH or recognized master’s degree in medicine, a medically related field or the humanities.