Degree Requirements

The Narrative Medicine Master's of Science degree requires 38 points to complete. Those studying full-time can complete the program in one academic year plus the following summer, and for a few students, in one academic year. Students may also choose to spend two years of part-time study to complete the degree.

The degree requirements for the M.S. in Narrative Medicine include 28 points of course work in Narrative Medicine, 6 points of elective courses chosen from other departments, and a 4-point practicum/independent study option, which may be a clinical field placement, capstone project or thesis work.

Required Core Courses

Five courses (20 points) are required.

  • NMED K4020. Narrative Medicine: Giving and Receiving Accounts of Self. 4 pts.
  • NMED K4025. Illness Narratives: Embodiment, Community, Activism. 4 pts.
  • NMED K4100. The Self and Other in the Clinical Encounter. 4 pts.
  • NMED K4110. Close Reading and Reflective Writing in the Clinical Context I (Seminar). 4 pts.
  • NMEDK4111. Close Reading and Reflective Writing in the Clinical Context II (Practicum). 4 pts.

Topics in Narrative Medicine

Two courses (8 points) are required. Courses are offered on a rotating basis; two of them will be offered each year.

  • NMED K4200. Narrative Genetics: Representations of Inheritance, Normativity and Personhood in Cinema. 4 pts.
  • NMED K4220. Narrative, Health, and Social Justice. 4 pts.
  • NMED K4250. Co-constructing Narratives. 4 pts.
  • NMED K4290. Narratives of Death, Living and Caring at the End of Life. 4 pts.

Elective Courses

Three to four courses (6-8 points) are required. Students choose courses from a list of related courses in other schools and departments of the University, with the advice and permission of the faculty adviser. Departments students may choose courses from include: Sociology, Anthropology, English, History, Philosophy, Creative Writing, Religious Studies, Psychology, Journalism, and Art History.

Practicum/Independent Study

In consultation with their faculty adviser, students may choose a clinical placement, a program development and/or evaluation project, a scholarly thesis, or a writing project.

  • NMED K4900. Practicum/Independent Study. 4 pts.

Research Methodology Requirement

All students who have not done previous academic coursework in research methodology will be required to complete a course in research methodology, with an emphasis on evaluative research.