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.

Apply to Be a Capstone Mentor

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

I'm Interested

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.

Course Descriptions

Learn more about the available courses at HMS.

Read Descriptions

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.

May 2, 2023 from 7-9 p.m. ET for the Virtual Capstone Symposium, featuring Mildred Z. Solomon, EdD as the keynote speaker
May 9, 2023 from 3-5 p.m. ET for the In-Person Capstone Symposium, featuring Elliott J. Crigger, PhD as the keynote speaker

Click to download the Booklet containing student bios and project abstracts.