The Wake Forest University School of Divinity and the Graduate School of Arts & Sciences jointly offer a dual, three-and-a-half-year degree program, Master of Divinity/Master of Arts in Bioethics (MDiv/MA). The program’s objective is to facilitate an interdisciplinary conversation between theology and bioethics and to provide resources for students whose vocational aims require knowledge and/or competence in both disciplines. By allowing some divinity courses to count as electives toward the MA degree, as well as allowing some graduate bioethics courses to count among the elective credits permitted within the MDiv curriculum, students are able to earn two advanced degrees in less time than it would take to earn the two degrees separately.

The rationale for the program is based on the premise that the goals of the University, as well as the academic and vocational goals of both fields of study, are enhanced by cross-disciplinary studies. A dual degree program in bioethics and divinity signals the commitment of both the School of Divinity and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to interdisciplinary collaboration and learning.

The dual degree program will save students up to a semester plus a summer of enrollment. A student typically will first complete 2 ½ years of work primarily in the Divinity School. The final two semesters will be completed in the Bioethics Program but with some electives taken in the Divinity School. A student will earn 72 credit hours from the MDiv program, 26 credit hours from the Bioethics Graduate Program (including a 6-credit thesis requirement), and 4 elective credit hours from either program.

Admission to the MDiv/MA program is a two-tiered process. Students interested in the program must apply separately to the School of Divinity and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and be accepted for admission by both schools. These applications do not need to be simultaneous, but students should indicate on each application their desire to be considered for the joint degree program. Alternatively, students may submit a separate application to enroll in the dual degree program if already admitted to either School. Applications will be reviewed separately by each program’s admissions committee.

Typically, students apply to the dual degree program by the time they complete one semester in either school. The Graduate Record Exam is typically required for application to the Bioethics Graduate Program, but can be waived under certain circumstances.

The School of Divinity recommends, but does not require, GRE scores. Final decision about admission to the program will be made by a joint committee of the MDiv/MA program.

During five semesters of the program, students pay full-time Divinity tuition and are eligible for Divinity financial aid. For at least two additional semesters, students are enrolled in the Bioethics Graduate Program through the Graduate School and pay Graduate School tuition. Divinity School financial aid is not available to students during these two semesters. A limited amount of aid may be available through the Bioethics Graduate Program. Students should consult the prospectuses of both schools for information about tuition and financial assistance.

The Wake Forest University School of Law and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences jointly offer a dual, three-and-a-half-year degree program, Juris Doctor and Master of Arts in Bioethics (JD/MA). The program’s objective is to facilitate an interdisciplinary and comparative study of law and bioethics and to encourage students whose academic or career interests require gaining competence in both disciplines. By allowing some law courses to count as electives toward the MA degree, as well as by allowing some graduate bioethics courses to count among the elective credits permitted within the JD curriculum, students are able to earn two advanced degrees in less time than it would take to earn the two degrees separately.

The rationale for the program is based on the premise that bioethics is becoming increasingly relevant to several areas of practice within the legal profession. These contemporary dynamics similarly make it necessary for scholars and practitioners of bioethics to appreciate how law operates to express and to change biomedical values. A dual degree program in bioethics and law signals the commitment of both the School of Law and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences to interdisciplinary collaboration and learning.

The dual degree program saves students up to a semester plus a summer of enrollment. It is anticipated that students accepted to the program will spend their first year full-time in the law school, and one extra semester full-time in the Bioethics program. They complete 12 additional bioethics hours during their 2nd and 3rd years of law school. The full bioethics semester typically comes after the third year of law school.  Students will pay tuition and register with the law school for six semesters and with the bioethics graduate program for one semester.

Admission to the JD/MA program is a two-tiered process. Students interested in the program must first apply separately to the School of Law and the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences and be accepted for admission by both schools. These applications do not need to be simultaneous, but they should indicate their intent to be considered for the dual degree program on their respective applications to the Law School and the Graduate School.

Alternatively, persons may submit a separate application to enroll in the dual degree program if already admitted to either School. In order to be considered eligible for admission, the JD/MA candidate must take the Law School Admission Test (LSAT). The Graduate Record Examination (GRE) test is optional, however, and will be waived on request. Final decision about admission to the program will be made by a joint committee of the JD/MA program. Students should consult the prospectuses of both schools for information about tuition and financial assistance.