Simmons University

What you'll study

This master's brings together three interrelated strands: health professions education (theory and practice of teaching and assessment), ethics (clinical and research ethics, professional responsibility) and humanities (narrative medicine, history and philosophy of medicine). The programme combines core taught modules, elective options and a substantial applied capstone or practicum project tailored to the student's professional context.

• Core modules typically include: Principles of Health Professions Education; Curriculum Design and Assessment; Clinical Ethics and Decision Making; Research Methods for Health Humanities.
• Humanities and ethics options may cover: Narrative Medicine and Storytelling; History and Philosophy of Medicine; Global and Public Health Ethics; Disability Studies and Social Justice in Health.
• Education and practice options may include: Instructional Technology in Health Education; Interprofessional Education; Competency-based Assessment; Faculty Development and Mentoring.
• Research and methods components teach qualitative and mixed-methods approaches commonly used in education and humanities scholarship, including ethnography, narrative analysis and programme evaluation.
• Capstone/practicum is an applied project or placement in a clinical, educational or policy setting that demonstrates integration of education, ethics and humanities — for example curriculum redesign, an ethics consultation programme, or a narrative-based patient education intervention.

Entry requirements

Applicants are expected to hold a recognised bachelor's degree. Admissions typically favour candidates with professional experience in health care, education, social science or the humanities, though applicants from other backgrounds with a clear rationale and relevant experience are considered.

• Academic record: an undergraduate degree from an accredited institution. Graduate coursework or prior study in health, education, ethics or humanities is advantageous.
• Professional experience: relevant clinical, educational, research or community experience is valued, particularly for applicants without subject-specific academic preparation.
• Supporting documents: statement of purpose outlining goals and fit with the programme, current CV, academic transcripts and professional references.
• International applicants: evidence of English language proficiency where required (e.g. recognised test scores or institutional exemptions), and documentation of credential equivalence.
• Interview: some applicants may be invited to an interview to discuss their experience, project ideas and readiness for graduate study.

Career prospects

Graduates go on to roles that bridge clinical practice, education and scholarship. The programme prepares students for positions in academic institutions, health systems and policy settings where teaching, ethical leadership and human-centred approaches are required.

• Clinical educator, faculty developer or simulation centre leader in nursing, medicine, allied health and professional schools.
• Curriculum designer or assessment specialist for undergraduate, graduate or continuing professional development programmes.
• Member or director of hospital ethics committees, clinical ethics consultation services or institutional review boards.
• Health humanities scholar, narrative medicine practitioner, patient engagement specialist or community health educator.
• Policy advisor, programme evaluator or administrator in health services, public health agencies and non-profit organisations focusing on ethics and equity.

Why study at Simmons University

Simmons University has a long-established focus on health professions and nursing education and an interdisciplinary approach that links clinical practice with the humanities and ethics. The programme benefits from small cohort sizes, close faculty mentoring and opportunities to collaborate with Simmons' health sciences departments.

• Location in the Boston region provides access to a dense network of hospitals, medical schools and cultural institutions for partnerships, practicum placements and guest faculty.
• Emphasis on applied projects and real-world curriculum work means students graduate with practical deliverables that advance careers in education, ethics and programme leadership.
• Faculty commonly include clinician-educators, ethicists and scholars in the health humanities, offering interdisciplinary supervision for capstone research and practicum work.
• Supportive professional development resources and alum networks help graduates transition into educational leadership, ethics roles and academic appointments.