Capstone Experience

A mentored, hands-on capstone ethics experience complements the Master of Science in Bioethics (MBE) program, tailored to each student’s professional expertise and interests. Our program participants are paired with faculty who are actively working on the front lines of bioethics.

Working in collaboration, students actually see and participate in the type of bioethics they will be practicing after graduation. They gain practical, real-life understanding applying what they have learned as they work alongside a bioethics leader in their area of concentration.

Mentored Practical Experience

The capstone experience is a mentored practical experience tailored to each student's professional expertise and interests culminating in a poster presentation in May. Our program participants are paired with faculty who are actively working on the front lines of bioethics.

Working in collaboration with their mentor, students actually see and participate in the type of bioethics they will be practicing after graduation. They gain practical, real-life understanding applying what they have learned as they work alongside a bioethics leader in their area of concentration.

Capstone Seminar

The Capstone Seminar engages intentionally-small sections of students led by a Seminar leader on a weekly basis with occasional larger group meetings on Zoom which bring together speakers and students from multiple sections to share content and increase networking opportunities. The part-time sections meet in the evening hours.

Mentor and teaching faculty member speaking to a class.

Capstone Mentors

Harvard faculty and other professionals in medicine, research, law and beyond may apply to mentor an MBE student.

Become a Mentor

Placement Options

Placement options for the program’s capstone experience are designed with the program director and faculty to align with each student’s professional expertise and bioethics interest. Options include:

Clinical Bioethics: working in a Harvard Medical School teaching hospital with an ethics consultant, ethics support services and clinical ethics committees.
Research Bioethics: working in a research compliance office; reviewing study protocols; attending IRB meetings; working with data safety monitoring boards and consent monitors
Public Policy: working with a state agency such as the Dept. of Public Health on ethical aspects of crisis standards of care.

All candidates will have the opportunity to tailor a field experience for their specific professional interests.

An amphitheater audience watching an MBE faculty member present at a podium.

Unique Experiences

Want to be a part of our unique capstone experience? Consider applying to the MBE program.

Learn More

Each year Harvard Medical School and the Center for Bioethics communities recognize and celebrate graduating Master of Science in Bioethics students and their capstone projects. Capstone mentors, faculty, alumni, members of the HMS community and prospective students are in attendance. The capstone symposium program features an address by a keynote speaker followed by a poster presentation and reception.

Dates and details for the 2024 symposia will be provided in the coming months. Check back here in during Spring 2024 semester.