*** We are currently not accepting applications for the Fall 2023-24 academic cycle. Please stay tuned for more updates. ***
Minimum admission requirements
Admission to the Master of Health Science (MHSc) in Bioethics is based on the general regulations of the School of Graduate Studies. Applications must also satisfy the Dalla Lana School of Public Health’s additional admission requirements.
You must hold an appropriate bachelor's degree and a recognized degree in one of the health care sciences (e.g., MD, BScN, BScOT, BScPT, BSW) or equivalent. We do consider applicants from other disciplines on an individual basis. When in doubt, ask Terry Yuen, program administrator, at jcb.education@utoronto.ca if your previous degree is acceptable.
We require that you to hold at least a mid-B average (75%) in final year of your degree or in the last 5.0 full course equivalents completed at a senior level.
The program favours individuals with outstanding academic credentials and demonstrated evidence of scholarly ability and personal maturity.
You must demonstrate the potential that you will provide significant bioethics leadership in your home institution or local community upon completion of the MHSc in Bioethics. We also encourage you to have at least 3 years of full-time professional work experience. If this is not the case, please get in touch with Terry (email above) to determine if your application will be accepted.
Program requirements
This course-based program is offered in modular format in 24 two-day Thursday/Friday blocks from September to April, normally over two years; certain international students may complete all coursework in one academic year. The program does not include a distance-learning option. You will be expected to complete 8.5 full-course equivalents (FCE), including a 1.0 FCE practicum, and a major paper of publishable quality on a topic of your choice.
Program length
It consists of 5 sessions and is considered a full-time program. A typical registration sequence is Fall/Winter/Summer/Fall/Winter and will take place over 2 years.
Time commitment
You will take 2 full days of courses (on Thursdays and Fridays) usually every other week. There are 12 two-day class blocks each year for a total of 24 two-day sessions over the two years. Additionally, you will need time outside of class to do the required readings, to complete coursework assignments, and to fulfill the practicum.
Language and other requirements for international students
Please check the Dalla Lana School of Public Health website for international student requirements.
Required courses
Courses are restricted to students officially enrolled in the MHSc in Bioethics or the Collaborative Specialization in Bioethics.
Year 1 of the program covers key topic areas in bioethics and concentrate on providing you with the theoretical foundations of the field in terms of legal frameworks, research methods, philosophical approaches, and resource allocation ethics. The application of theory to practice in clinical, organizational and research settings is emphasized.
The Year 1 courses you’ll be enrolled in are:
- CHL 3001Y - Core Topics in Bioethics
- CHL 3003Y - Empirical Approaches in Bioethics
- CHL 3005H - Legal Approaches to Bioethics
- HAD 5771H - Resource Allocation Ethics
- PHL 2146Y - Topics in Bioethics: Theoretical Approaches
Year 2 of the program gives you the opportunity to further develop core knowledge (e.g., in research ethics, organizational and health systems ethics) while adding more core skill competencies, such as teaching bioethics, developing a bioethics curriculum, and contributing to bioethics scholarship (including the preparation of a paper in publishable form covering an area or issue of your choice). Based on your individual interests in the areas and activities of bioethics, you will complete a mentored applied learning course (practicum), and a practical bioethics course that aims to support you in preparing a "capstone" project that, ideally, builds on the practicum experience and the core knowledge and skills gained throughout the MHSc program.
The Year 2 courses you’ll be enrolled in are:
- CHL 3051H - Research Ethics
- CHL 3052H* - Practical Bioethics (capstone course)
- CHL 3002Y - Teaching Bioethics
- CHL 3004Y - Ethics and Health Institutions
- CHL 3006Y - Writing in Bioethics
- CHL 3008Y* - Applied Learning in Bioethics (practicum)
* "Continuous course" that may continue over multiple sessions/terms during the program. The course is graded when completed.
Tuition & fees
The MHSc in Bioethics program is offered through the Graduate Department of Public Health Sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, and is coordinated by the Joint Centre for Bioethics. Please visit the Planning & Budget website to get the most up-to-date information on domestic tuition fees and international tuition fees.
Additional fees
For additional fees (e.g. incidental and ancillary fees) related to the MHSc in Bioethics program, please visit “Understanding Your Fees” in Student Accounts.