Sociomedical Sciences

MS Degree with a Concentration in History & Ethics

The thirty-credit MS degree is designed for students interested in applying historical analysis to public health practice and policy making but who do not seek a professional public health degree (MPH). The curriculum focuses on American public health and medicine in the twentieth century. It emphasizes the ethical, legal, and policy debates surrounding efforts to control infectious and chronic diseases; the influence on health policy of civil society actors such as activists, advocates, and non-governmental organizations; and the evolving standards of professional practice for both public health and medicine.

Course of Study

The course of study consists of thirty credits (ten courses) and a master’s thesis, and is designed to be completed in either full-time (two semesters) or part-time (three or more semesters). This program will be of particular interest to mid-career professionals with health-related interests in fields such as nursing, medicine, health policy, bioethics, journalism, and law; postdoctoral students seeking to enhance their training by gaining additional analytic tools for public health policy making; and students seeking preparation for further study in a doctoral program.

Learn more about our MS degree:

• Course Requirements
• Sample Program Plans