This Master's in Health Professions Education, Ethics, and Humanities develops skills in teaching, curriculum design, ethical analysis and humanistic approaches to health care. It suits clinicians, allied health professionals, educators and humanities graduates who want to combine pedagogic practice with bioethical and humanistic perspectives in clinical and academic settings.
This programme combines core topics in health professions education with ethics and the humanities to prepare graduates to teach, design curricula, lead ethical deliberation and apply humanistic methods in health settings. Typical modules cover educational theory and pedagogy for clinical learners; curriculum development; assessment and competency-based education; qualitative and mixed-methods research methods; clinical ethics and bioethics; narrative medicine and medical humanities; cultural competency and health equity; and seminar-style readings in philosophy, history and literature relevant to medicine.
Learning activities usually include interactive seminars, case-based discussions, small-group teaching practice, ethics consultation simulations, qualitative research projects and a substantial capstone or thesis project that applies education, ethics or humanities methods to a problem in health professions practice. Many students also complete a supervised practicum or teaching placement in a clinical, community or classroom setting to gain applied experience.
Applicants are typically expected to hold a recognised bachelor’s degree. Competitive applicants often have a professional qualification in a health discipline (for example medicine, nursing, allied health) or a first degree in a humanities or social science with relevant experience. Admission normally requires a CV, personal statement describing educational and career goals, and one or more letters of recommendation.
Selection considers professional experience in health care or education, commitment to interdisciplinary work, and the quality of academic準 preparation. Specific course prerequisites, portfolio requirements or English language proficiency rules may apply; applicants should consult the programme office for detailed guidance.
Graduates typically move into roles that bridge clinical practice, education and ethics. Common career paths include clinical educator, faculty member in health professions schools, curriculum developer, simulation centre director, assessment specialist, clinical ethicist or ethics committee member, programme director for interprofessional education, and positions in academic administration focused on teaching and learning. Others apply their training to research in health humanities, policy work on medical education standards, or leadership roles in hospitals, professional associations and community health organisations.
CUNY offers an urban, public-university environment with access to a large and diverse clinical and cultural ecosystem. Students benefit from interdisciplinary faculty across CUNY campuses and opportunities to engage with teaching hospitals, community health providers and arts and cultural institutions across New York City. The university’s emphasis on public service and community engagement makes the programme particularly well suited to those interested in health equity and inclusive pedagogy.
The programme is structured to accommodate working professionals, with flexible scheduling options and practicum placements in local healthcare and educational settings. CUNY’s network also supports applied research and collaborative projects that connect classroom learning to real-world clinical and community challenges.
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