스킵네비게이션

The Graduate School

Course Infomation DONG-A UNIVERSITY, WHERE WE MAKE YOUR HISTORY

Cross-sectoral Cooperative Program

Department introduction

With the development of biomedical science and technology, a wide range of bioethical issues have emerged, including suicide, abortion, end-of-life care, research ethics involving human subjects, and issues concerning the elderly. In response, there is a growing social demand for professionals in bioethics who can philosophically and ethically reflect on humanity and life, and who are capable of seeking desirable solutions to these issues.
The Graduate Program in Bioethics is an interdisciplinary department that integrates philosophy, ethics, life sciences, and medicine. It aims to cultivate philosophical and ethical knowledge and critical thinking about humanity and life, while fostering convergent professionals who are well-versed in both the theory and practice of bioethics.

Educational Objectives

The Graduate Program in Biomedical Ethics seeks to cultivate scholars who can address the diverse bioethical issues arising from advances in biomedical science and technology. The program emphasizes maintaining the academic rigor of philosophy and ethics while fostering integrative, interdisciplinary research that combines both theoretical and practical expertise in biomedical ethics.

Major Field

  • Master’s Program : Major in Biomedical Ethics (Degree: Master of Philosophy)
  • Doctoral Program : Major in Biomedical Ethics (Degree: Doctor of Philosophy)

Career Paths After Graduation

Career FieldRepresentative Occupations

Biomedical Ethics

Bioethics Policy Maker

Genetic Bank Administration Officer

Biomedical Ethics Policy Researcher

Clinical Research Ethics

IRB (Institutional Review Board) Administration Specialist

IRB Education Specialist

Clinical Research Associate (CRA)

Clinical Trial Administrator (CTA)

Study Start-Up Specialist (SSU)

Others

Life Counselor

Life Coach

Well-Dying Education Specialist

Employment Status

  • HospitalsGangnam Severance Hospital, Samsung Medical Center, Pusan National University Hospital, Yangsan Pusan National University Hospital, Yangsan Pusan National University Dental Hospital, Kosin University Gospel Hospital, Inje University Haeundae Paik Hospital
  • Clinical Research Organizations (CROs) & Pharmaceutical Companies : LSK Global PS, ADM Korea, UMTE
  • Others : Korea National Enterprise for Clinical Trials (KoNECT), Southeast Region IRB, Bioinfra

Faculty Overview

NamePositionDegreeMajor
Jin-Kyung KimProfessor (Head Professor)Ph.D. in LiteratureBioethics

Sang-Hyuk Park

Professor

Ph.D. in Philosophy

Ethics

Sung-Eun Kim

Professor

M.D., Ph.D.

Internal Medicine, Medical Humanities

Young-Seok Lee

Professor

M.D., Ph.D.

Pediatrics

Min-Kyu Kim

Professor

Ph.D. in Law

Medical Law

Sun-Hee Lim

Professor

Ph.D. in Science

Genetics

Jin-Ung Jung

Professor

Ph.D. in Science

Biotechnology

Do-Kyung Kim

Professor

M.D., Ph.D.

Medical Humanities

Department Regulations

A. Admission

  • Recognition of Related Departments Departments in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences that are relevant to Biomedical Ethics are recognized as related departments.
  • Special Admission For the master’s program, candidates must hold a bachelor’s degree; for the doctoral program, candidates must hold a master’s degree. Priority is given to applicants with at least two years of practical experience in biomedical fields or biomedical education. The number of special admission slots is limited to a certain percentage of the department’s total enrollment quota.

B. Credit Requirements

The special admission policy applies to candidates with a bachelor’s degree (for the master’s program) or a master’s degree (for the doctoral program) who have at least two years of experience in biomedical practice or education. Priority is granted to these applicants. The number of special admission slots is limited to a certain percentage of the department’s total enrollment quota.

C. Foreign Language Examination

The foreign language requirement for both the master’s and doctoral programs is one English exam. Eligibility and regulations for the exam are governed by the graduate school regulations.

D. Comprehensive Examination

Master’s Program: 2 major subjects
Doctoral Program: 3 major subjects
(Subjects for the comprehensive examination are designated by the head professor from the courses completed during the program.)

E. Thesis Submission and Evaluation

Eligibility for Thesis Submission: Candidates must meet the following requirements to submit a thesis.

  • Master’s Program
    • Graduate school regulations on thesis submission apply.
      • Completion of at least 24 credits with an average grade of 80 or above.
      • Completion of all required supplementary courses.
      • Enrollment for at least 4 regular semesters.
      • Submission of a thesis research proposal and at least one semester of guidance from the supervising professor.
      • Passing the foreign language exam (English) and the comprehensive examination (2 major subjects).
      • Payment of the research registration fee once at the beginning of the semester in which the degree is sought.
      • Presentation of the thesis plan at least one semester prior to the preliminary and final review.
    • Eligibility for Master’s Thesis Submission

      Candidates must have completed all required coursework, passed the foreign language exam and comprehensive exam, and be eligible to submit the thesis in accordance with the graduate school regulations.

  • Doctoral Program
    • Graduate school regulations on thesis submission apply.
      • Completion of at least 36 credits (60 credits for integrated programs) with an average grade of 80 or above.
      • Completion of all required supplementary courses (if supplementary credits exceed 12, only 9 credits must be completed).
      • Enrollment for at least 4 regular semesters (8 semesters for integrated programs).
      • Completion of at least 2 thesis research credits (4 credits for integrated programs).
      • At least two semesters of guidance from the supervising professor, including at least one department-level public presentation with recommendation from the supervising professor.
      • Passing the foreign language exam (English, and a second foreign language if required by the department).
      • Passing the comprehensive examination (3 major subjects).
      • Payment of the research registration fee once at the beginning of the semester in which the degree is sought.
      • Presentation of the thesis plan at least one semester prior to the preliminary and final review.
      • Achievement of research outputs as specified by the department under the guidance of the supervising professor.

        Special Notes for Integrated Program Type 2:
        If candidates have passed the foreign language and comprehensive examinations during the master’s portion of the integrated program, the foreign language requirement is waived, and only one additional major subject must be passed for the comprehensive examination to be considered fully complete.

    • Eligibility for Doctoral Thesis Submission

      Candidates must have completed the doctoral program and, after admission to the doctoral program, must have published 100% of their research related to the dissertation topic in a Korean Research Foundation-listed (or candidate) domestic academic journal.

F. All other matters shall be in accordance with the graduate school regulations, and matters not prescribed shall be decided through a meeting of department professors.

Curriculum