Duke doctoral students can enroll in the Master of Arts in Applied Ethics & Policy while pursuing their PhD, without paying for an additional 30 units of graduate credit. PhD students who wish to receive a second master’s degree en route to the PhD will be charged tuition for the additional 30 course credits required.

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What an excellent opportunity to reflect on the ethical issues in life sciences commercialization and prepare for a career in healthcare consulting and business after graduation. If you are a PhD student at Duke, you certainly do not want to miss this opportunity!”

– Khairunnisa Semesta, PhD’23

The process for applying for a concurrent master’s degree while pursuing your PhD:

• Prepare a simple form explaining why you wish to pursue the second degree and the intellectual relationship of the two programs.
• You will need two letters of recommendation from Duke faculty, one from each department supporting the relationship between the doctoral and master’s program for which the applicant is applying.
• You will need the approval of both the Director of Graduate Studies in your PhD program and in the Master’s program to which you are applying.
• The request then requires the approval of the Associate Dean for Academic Affairs at the Graduate School.

You may not apply, however, until after you have completed your preliminary examination.

You cannot double-count any courses toward both your PhD and the master’s. You must complete all of the requirements of both programs.

All Graduate School Academic Policies & Forms