University of Oregon

What you'll study

This master’s blends core study in health professions education with courses in healthcare ethics and medical humanities. You will examine philosophical and ethical frameworks applied to clinical decision‑making; narrative, visual and literary methods for understanding illness; and contemporary approaches to teaching and assessment in undergraduate and postgraduate health programmes.

• Core modules: Foundations of Health Professions Education; Ethics in Clinical Practice; Medical Humanities and Narrative Medicine;
• Teaching and assessment: Curriculum Design and Evaluation; Assessment and Feedback in Clinical Education; Simulation and Experiential Learning;
• Research and methods: Qualitative Methods for Health Research; Educational Scholarship and Programme Evaluation; Research Ethics;
• Applied and elective options: Interprofessional Education; Leadership and Change in Healthcare Education; Digital Pedagogies and Educational Technology; Practicum/Teaching Residency or Project-based capstone (scholarship project or applied curriculum development).

Students typically choose between a capstone practicum or a research project/thesis, enabling either an applied pathway with supervised placements in clinical or community settings or an academic pathway that prepares for doctoral study. The programme is offered with flexible study patterns to accommodate part‑time working professionals and includes opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across humanities, education and health sciences.

Entry requirements

Applicants should hold a recognised bachelor’s degree or equivalent. Typical entrants are licensed health professionals (doctors, nurses, allied health practitioners), educators, or graduates in the humanities and social sciences with demonstrable interest in health or education.

• Academic background: A completed undergraduate degree from an accredited institution; a degree in a health profession, education, philosophy/ethics, history, literature or related field is common.
• Experience: Professional or volunteer experience in a healthcare, educational or community setting is highly desirable—applicants without clinical backgrounds should demonstrate relevant experience or a clear rationale for transition to health professions education.
• Supporting documents: Personal statement outlining goals; current CV; academic transcripts; two professional or academic references. Some applicants may be invited to an interview.
• English language: Proof of English proficiency if your prior degree was not taught in English, in line with university requirements.

Meeting minimum entry expectations does not guarantee admission; selection is based on the strength of the whole application and fit with the programme’s cohort and supervised placement capacity.

Career prospects

Graduates move into roles that bridge clinical practice, education and ethics. Common career outcomes include:

• Clinical educator or faculty member in medical, nursing or allied health programmes;
• Curriculum developer or assessment lead within health faculties or professional training bodies;
• Clinical ethics consultant or member of hospital ethics committees;
• Education programme director or simulation centre coordinator;
• Policy advisor, educational researcher or PhD candidate in health professions education, bioethics or medical humanities;
• Roles in continuing professional development, patient advocacy, narrative-based care initiatives and instructional design for healthcare organisations.

The programme’s combination of practical placements, project work and research methods equips graduates to design evidence‑informed educational interventions and to contribute to ethical deliberation and humanities-informed practice in diverse health settings.

Why study at University of Oregon

The University of Oregon offers an interdisciplinary environment that brings together humanities, education and health sciences, supporting innovative approaches to teaching and ethics. Students benefit from faculty with expertise in education scholarship, ethics and narrative approaches to health, and the university’s collaborative links with regional health providers and educational organisations.

• Interdisciplinary teaching: Coursework and supervision draw on scholars across departments, ensuring diverse theoretical and practical perspectives.
• Applied learning: Practicum placements and capstone projects enable students to test curriculum designs, teaching strategies and ethics work in real clinical and community contexts.
• Flexible study: The programme accommodates part‑time study and working professionals, with options that combine in‑person and remote learning.
• Research support: Training in qualitative methods and educational scholarship prepares students for ongoing research or further postgraduate study.

These elements make the University of Oregon programme a strong option for those seeking to lead educational innovation, ethical practice and human-centred scholarship in contemporary health care.