Loyola University Chicago

What you'll study

This programme combines core education theory and practice with courses in clinical ethics and the medical humanities. You will study contemporary approaches to teaching and assessment in health professions education alongside modules that interrogate ethical decision-making, narrative medicine, and the role of the arts and humanities in clinical care. Learning is typically delivered through a mix of seminars, case-based learning, workshops and an applied capstone or project.

• Foundations of Health Professions Education – adult learning theory, curriculum design, alignment of outcomes, teaching methods for diverse learners.
• Assessment and Evaluation – formative and summative assessment strategies, workplace-based assessment, programme evaluation, feedback and remediation.
• Clinical Ethics – ethical frameworks, clinical consultation skills, ethics committee practice, complex decision-making at the bedside.
• Medical Humanities and Narrative Medicine – literature, visual arts and narrative approaches to enhance empathy, reflection and communication.
• Interprofessional Education – designing and facilitating learning across professional boundaries to improve team‑based care.
• Education Scholarship and Research Methods – qualitative and quantitative methods relevant to educational research, critical appraisal and scholarship in healthcare education.
• Applied Project / Capstone – a supervised project, curriculum development piece or ethics consultation portfolio that demonstrates applied competence and contributes to practice.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised bachelor's degree or equivalent. The programme is designed for current health professionals (for example, physicians, nurses, allied health practitioners, dentists, pharmacists), clinical educators, and other individuals working in health‑related settings; professional experience is strongly valued.

• Academic transcript(s) demonstrating completion of a first degree; a competitive academic record is expected.
• A current CV or résumé detailing relevant clinical and/or educational experience.
• A personal statement outlining professional goals, reasons for pursuing the programme, and a proposed area of capstone focus.
• Referee reports or letters of recommendation, typically from professional or academic sources who can speak to the applicant's suitability for graduate study.
• Depending on the applicant's background, an interview may be requested as part of the selection process.

Applicants whose first language is not English may need to demonstrate English language proficiency in line with university requirements.

Career prospects

Graduates of this master's develop the skills required to design and lead educational programmes, contribute to ethics consultation services, and integrate humanities-informed approaches into clinical practice. Typical career pathways include:

• Clinical and university-based educators: roles designing curricula, leading simulation programmes, and delivering faculty development.
• Clinical ethics consultants and members of hospital ethics committees, providing consultation and policy development support.
• Healthcare leadership and quality improvement positions that require expertise in education, communication and professionalism.
• Academic careers in health professions education, including roles in programme evaluation, educational scholarship and research.
• Positions in continuing professional development, instructional design for health organisations, and community or patient‑facing educational initiatives.

Why study at Loyola University Chicago

Loyola University Chicago combines a strong commitment to Jesuit values with an emphasis on social justice, interprofessional collaboration and reflective practice—qualities that align well with education, ethics and humanities in healthcare. The university's campuses include health sciences facilities and connections with teaching hospitals and community partners, providing opportunities for practical, clinically‑relevant learning and applied projects.

Students benefit from interdisciplinary faculty with expertise in medical education, bioethics, nursing, medicine and the arts, and from a learning environment that emphasises compassionate, patient‑centred care. The programme’s applied capstone and opportunities for interprofessional work help graduates move directly into roles that influence teaching, policy and practice in healthcare settings.