Valparaiso University

What you'll study

This interdisciplinary master’s blends core topics in health professions education with applied ethics and medical humanities. Students study contemporary theories of teaching and learning in clinical contexts, curriculum development, assessment and programme evaluation, together with courses in biomedical ethics, narrative medicine, and the role of history, literature and philosophy in health care. Typical modules include:

• Foundations of Health Professions Education – adult learning theory, instructional design and clinical teaching methods.
• Curriculum Design and Assessment – learning outcomes, assessment strategies, competency frameworks and program evaluation.
• Research Methods for Educators – qualitative and quantitative methods, scholarship of teaching and learning, and project design.
• Clinical Ethics – frameworks for ethical decision‑making, clinical consultation processes and institutional ethics policy.
• Medical and Health Humanities – narrative competence, history of medicine, visual and literary approaches to understanding patient experience.
• Interprofessional Education and Leadership – collaborative practice, facilitation skills and leadership in educational settings.
• Capstone or Applied Project – an evidence‑based educational project, ethics consultation case series, or a humanities‑informed curricular innovation implemented in a clinical or academic setting.

Course delivery typically combines seminar study, practical workshops, supervised teaching or ethics consultation practice, and an applied capstone that allows students to demonstrate integration of education, ethics and humanities perspectives.

Entry requirements

Applicants normally need a bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution. The programme is intended for candidates with backgrounds in health professions (nursing, medicine, allied health, public health, clinical psychology, etc.) or in related fields such as education or the humanities who can demonstrate a clear interest in health care teaching, ethics or the humanities.

• Transcript(s) showing completion of a recognised undergraduate degree.
• Relevant professional experience in a health, educational or clinical environment; health‑care practitioners are often expected to have clinical experience.
• A personal statement outlining professional goals and reasons for pursuing the degree, and how the programme fits career plans.
• Letters of recommendation (typically two) from academic or professional referees familiar with the applicant’s work.
• A current CV or résumé. Some applicants may be invited to interview as part of the selection process.

Specific GPA thresholds, prerequisite coursework and language requirements (where applicable) are set by the university; prospective applicants should consult Valparaiso University admissions for precise criteria and any required documentation.

Career prospects

Graduates from this master’s programme go on to a range of roles that bridge clinical practice, education and ethics. Common career pathways include:

• Clinical educator or faculty member in schools of medicine, nursing and allied health, designing and delivering curricula and assessment.
• Academic developer or instructional designer focused on health professions programmes and continuing professional development.
• Ethics consultant or member of clinical ethics committees within hospitals and health systems.
• Coordinator of interprofessional education and simulation programmes that prepare teams for collaborative care.
• Medical humanities coordinator, museum or archive education roles, and public engagement projects that humanise health care.
• Further academic study and research in health professions education, ethics or humanities (doctoral study or educational research roles).

The programme emphasises practical skills and an applied capstone, which helps graduates demonstrate tangible outcomes to employers in clinical, educational and institutional settings.

Why study at Valparaiso University

Valparaiso University combines a liberal arts tradition with professional preparation and places a strong emphasis on thoughtful reflection, service and community engagement. The university offers small class sizes and close faculty mentoring, enabling students to pursue interdisciplinary projects that integrate educational practice, ethical analysis and humanities inquiry.

• Close faculty interaction: students work with faculty who have expertise in clinical education, ethics and humanities scholarship.
• Interdisciplinary environment: opportunities to collaborate across nursing, health sciences, theology and the humanities.
• Applied learning: practicum, teaching opportunities and capstone projects connect academic study with real institutional needs in local health‑care settings.
• Professional networks: regional clinical partnerships and alumni connections support career development in education and ethics roles.

Prospective students should contact Valparaiso University’s graduate admissions or the programme director for detailed information on course delivery formats, practicum arrangements and how the programme can be tailored to individual professional goals.