Widener University

What you'll study

This interdisciplinary master's blends core concepts from educational theory, clinical ethics and the humanities with applied training in curriculum design and assessment. Typical modules and learning themes include:

• Foundations of Health Professions Education – adult learning theory, instructional design, syllabus and course planning for clinical contexts.
• Assessment and Evaluation – formative and summative assessment strategies, workplace‑based assessment, programme evaluation and use of assessment data to improve learning outcomes.
• Clinical Ethics and Professionalism – ethical frameworks, clinical decision‑making, consent, confidentiality, and navigating complex ethical dilemmas in healthcare.
• Medical and Health Humanities – narrative medicine, history and philosophy of medicine, visual and performing arts as tools for reflection and empathy.
• Interprofessional Education and Collaborative Practice – designing and facilitating learning activities that bring together different health professions to foster team‑based care.
• Research Methods for Education – qualitative and quantitative methods applied to educational research, programme evaluation and scholarship of teaching and learning.
• Leadership and Change in Health Education – project management, change leadership, policy implications and institutional curriculum reform.
• Capstone or Practicum – an applied project or supervised teaching/practice placement where students design, implement and evaluate an educational or ethics/humanities initiative.

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to hold a recognised undergraduate degree. Candidates with professional qualifications in health disciplines (for example nursing, medicine, allied health, pharmacy, dentistry) are particularly well‑suited, though applicants from related humanities or social science backgrounds with relevant experience are also considered.

Typical application materials include:

• A completed application form and official academic transcripts.
• A current curriculum vitae that outlines professional experience and responsibilities.
• A personal statement describing your educational goals, teaching or clinical experience, and interest in ethics and the humanities.
• References or letters of recommendation, usually academic or professional supervisors.

Some applicants may be invited to an interview. Specific GPA thresholds, prerequisite coursework and any professional practice requirements follow university admissions policy and should be confirmed with Widener's admissions office.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to academic and practice‑based roles that bridge education, clinical work and ethics. Common career paths include:

• Clinical educator or faculty member in university programmes, hospitals and allied health training centres.
• Curriculum developer or educational coordinator responsible for course design and assessment.
• Clinical ethics consultant or member of institutional ethics committees.
• Interprofessional education facilitator and leader in team‑based care initiatives.
• Educational researcher or coordinator of scholarship of teaching and learning projects.
• Roles in health humanities programming, patient‑centred care initiatives, professional development and continuing education.

The programme is also suited to professionals aiming for leadership positions in academic affairs, training departments, and in policy or advocacy roles where ethical and humanistic perspectives inform practice.

Why study at Widener University

Widener offers an intimate learning environment with faculty who combine clinical experience, education scholarship and expertise in ethics and the humanities. The university’s regional clinical partnerships provide opportunities to test educational interventions and complete practicum placements in real healthcare settings.

Students benefit from an interdisciplinary approach that integrates rigorous educational theory with narrative and reflective practices, supporting the development of compassionate, evidence‑based educators. Flexible delivery options and a focus on applied capstone projects help students translate learning directly into professional practice.