Center for Bioethics and Health Law

Overview of the Department

The Center for Bioethics & Health Law (CBHL) brings together clinicians, scholars, and researchers from across the University to investigate issues in bioethics and health law by employing empirical, philosophical, humanistic, and legal research methods. Founded on the premise that questions arising in healthcare, public health, and research must be addressed by integrating insights of myriad disciplines, the Center hosts programming in bioethics, health humanities, health law, healthcare and religion, and research ethics.

Faculty of the Center for Bioethics & Health Law, and its affiliated faculty, teach in the MA Program in Bioethics, serve on thesis committees, and provide clinical and research mentorship. (Faculty are listed on the Center’s website at http://bioethics.pitt.edu/people.) They conduct empirical, legal, and scholarly research, and serve on national and international bodies addressing issues of bioethics and health policy. Their research addresses ethical issues across the lifespan, professional issues like conscientious objection, issues in research (including genomic, international, mental health, and palliative care research); and public health ethics. (Their research is described at http://bioethics.pitt.edu/research.)

Contact Information

Program Director: Lisa S. Parker, PhD
Program Administrator: Mia Spinelli
Main Office: 519 Barco Law Building
412-648-7007
Fax: 412-648-2649
bioethics@pitt.edu

Admissions

Applicants for admission must submit digital scans of all undergraduate and graduate transcripts, three letters of recommendation, a personal statement explaining interest in the program (gand its relevance for current or future education or career plans), and a sample of written work demonstrating critical reasoning skills and/or ability to present an argument. (Official transcripts are not required during the application process; applicants will be required to submit certified transcripts when they accept the offer of admission and matriculate.) International applicants whose first language is not English are required to submit TOEFL scores. Applications for admission to the Bioethics Program in the fall term must be submitted by March 31; after that date, interested applicants should contact the program administrator. Joint program students must be admitted by both the Dietrich School and the relevant professional school.

Financial Assistance

Applicants may qualify to receive a Dean’s Tuition Scholarship to defray part of the cost of tuition and fees and may apply for student loans.Qualified out-of-state students may be offered a scholarship equal to the difference between out-of-state and in-state tuition.

Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences Faculty

Programs

Master’s

Courses

Bioethics

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