Columbia University is launching a new dual-degree master’s program in social work and bioethics, beginning in fall 2025. Offered jointly by Columbia School of Professional Studies (SPS) and Columbia School of Social Work (CSSW), the program is designed to prepare graduates to become leaders at the intersection of social work and bioethics.
Columbia’s offering stands apart by uniting two top-ranked schools and providing students with access to a broad network of faculty, alumni, and career resources.
“This partnership between the School of Professional Studies and the School of Social Work reflects Columbia’s commitment to innovation in graduate education,” said Troy Eggers, dean of Columbia School of Professional Studies. “By bringing together two world-class schools, students will be equipped with a unique skill set that positions them to lead in settings where ethical decision-making and social impact intersect.”
The Columbia University Master of Science in Bioethics and Master of Science in Social Work dual-degree program will provide strong foundational knowledge and expertise in bioethics and social work. Students follow a coordinated plan of study across CSSW and SPS. Select courses count toward requirements in both degrees, so that completing the dual program is more efficient than pursuing each separately.
“My background in health research has proven to me that data is a tool for social justice, and can serve to effect policy change—particularly for those communities most pushed to the margins,” said Dr. Melissa Begg, dean of Columbia School of Social Work. “Yet data cannot solve the challenges we face by itself. It must be paired with ethical reasoning and a deep understanding of the human experience. Our dual degree in bioethics and social work is a powerful step forward in preparing leaders who can help generate solutions that are human-centered, ethical, and responsive to the communities they are meant to serve.”
From questions about genetic testing and reproductive technologies to debates over end-of-life care and the use of AI in medicine, today’s challenges demand thoughtful ethical guidance. Students will become proficient in addressing these complex ethical challenges across health-care, government, non-profit, and academic sectors, while also advancing the delivery and evaluation of social services.
“In our ever-evolving and complicated world, new bioethical issues arise all the time,” says Dr. Robert Klitzman, director of the M.S. in Bioethics program. “We need individuals to understand how to navigate these issues, and this program will prepare them for it.”
The need for professionals trained in both social work and bioethics is growing nationwide. Hospitals and health-care institutions increasingly seek clinical ethicists with direct practice experience. Individuals dually trained in social work and bioethics are able to work as clinical ethicists at the bedside. Policymakers also rely on such practitioners, who can integrate ethical analysis with profound understandings of social impact.
“As a former clinical social worker in oncology, I know how much a foundation in bioethics can contribute to our multi-disciplinary practice in health care, particularly when assisting patients and family navigating life-altering illness, and advocating for them in ethics consults and institutional policy making,” says Richard Hara, senior associate dean for the M.S. in Social Work Education.
Applications for fall 2026 enrollment are open. To learn more, visit the Master of Science in Bioethics and Master of Science in Social Work dual-degree program website.
