Dual Degree MD/Health Care Ethics—Frequently Asked Questions

Q. How much will adding the MSHCE degree to my MD studies increase the cost of my schooling?
A. For current M1 students (beginning the program in 2010), the MSHCE portion of your degree will cost $18,531*, which is the cost of 24 credit hours of courses and fees during the MSHCE year. Since you will be receiving dual credit for IDC 135 in your M1 year and MHE 609 during your M4 year, you will save the cost of six credit hours that you would have paid had you taken the MSHCE program separate from your medical school coursework.
*Please note that while inflationary tuition increases have been calculated in this number, university fees are subject to change.

Q. Will I have time to work, volunteer, continue my shadowing experience, etc., during my MSHCE year of courses?
A. Yes, most of our students taking one course per 8-week term are employed full-time (although they are busy!), so when you are taking just one MSHCE course, you should be able to work or volunteer and still have enough time to complete your coursework. Please note that during Fall Term 1 (late August to late October), you will be taking two MSHCE courses. During that time, it is recommended that you keep your work or volunteer hours closer to 20 hours per week.

Q. How will my year taking MSHCE courses affect my student loans?
A. Since you will be enrolling in at least 6 credit hours per semester, repayment of your student loans will continue to be deferred throughout the MSHCE year between your M2 and M3 year. Further Financial Aid questions should be referred to gpfinaid@creighton.edu or call 402-280-2666.

Q. I am scheduled to go to St. Joseph's in Phoenix for my M3 and M4 year. Will I still be able to do so if I take a year between my M2 and M3 year to pursue the MSHCE degree?
A. All efforts will be made to allow students enrolled in the M.D./M.S. in Health Care Ethics dual-degree program to continue their M3 and M4 years of medical school at their chosen location of Omaha or Phoenix. However, a final decision on the assignment of students to the Omaha or Phoenix campuses will be determined by student preferences and curricular demands for a given academic year.

Q. What are the advantages of obtaining the MD/MS in Health Care Ethics?
A. Students graduating with the dual degree will not only have a more thorough understanding of ethical issues in the Health Care arena, but they will also have had a chance to apply their knowledge to real-life Health Care problems and issues as they progress through their medical curriculum.

Q. Will the MD/MS in Health Care Ethics make me more competitive in residency and for future employment?
A. Although each residency program and employer sets its own criteria for ranking applicants, the MD/MS in Health Care Ethics certainly provides a student with a distinct knowledge base on ethical issues within Health Care that most students do not possess.

Q. Will I be in any way at a disadvantage by taking a year off of my medical education to pursue the MD/MS in Health Care Ethics coursework?
A. The MD/MS in Health Care Ethics program was carefully set up to allow students to complete the majority of the coursework between what has been traditionally known as the basic science and clinical years of medical education. As such, it occurs during a "natural' break in the curriculum (i.e., before you begin your clerkship and elective coursework). Opportunities will also exist for the student to continue to work and/or volunteer in clinical settings, such as our Magis Clinic for those who are homeless or underinsured or the Porto Urgent Care Center at the Sacred Heart Ministry. Also, since all MSHCE coursework is online, you can spend your MSHCE year in any location, so your options include staying in Omaha, moving to Phoenix (if that will be your clinical campus), or even returning home to save money on room and board while working or volunteering in your hometown.

Q. What are the technology requirements for this program?
A. View this site for the answer

Have more questions? REQUEST MORE INFORMATION or call 866.717.6365 to speak with an Admissions Representative.