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URochester Medicine / Health Humanities and Bioethics / MD-MS Combined Degree / Program Structure

Program Structure

Program Structure

The MD/MS is a 4+0 program: The 30-credit course plan incorporates existing educational content from the MD curriculum—HHBe lectures embedded in the MD curriculum, the HHBe Pathways content, and HHBe med school electives—totaling 9 credit hours that are cross-counted for both the MD and MS degrees. Students also complete 7 master’s-level courses (21 credit hours). These courses are scheduled so they do not conflict with required medical school activities, allowing students to complete both degrees in four years.

Curriculum Highlights

  • MHB 412: Introduction to Health Humanities: a foundational, largely asynchronous course spanning the history of medicine, the biopsychosocial model, bioethics, empathy, narrative medicine, and cultural humility.
  • Graduate seminars, including MHB 420: Stories in Healthcare, MHB 421: History of Modern Medicine, MHB 430: Art and Medicine, and MHB 472: Philosophical Foundations of Bioethics. Medical school curriculum, including the HHBe Pathway, a longitudinal four-year enrichment experience, an elective, and required HHBe seminars  throughout medical school.
  • Capstone, a mentored capstone practicum (MHB 497: Capstone Practicum) culminating in a scholarly or creative project, presented to peers and faculty.