Master of Science in Narrative Medicine

Narrative medicine is an interdisciplinary field that brings powerful narrative skills of radical listening and creativity from the humanities and the arts to address the needs of all who seek and deliver healthcare. It enables patients and caregivers to voice their experience, to be heard, to be recognized, and to be valued, improving the delivery of healthcare. This evolving transdisciplinary field of enquiry addresses issues of structural inequality and social justice in healthcare.  The Master of Science in Narrative Medicine prepares health professionals, writers, and scholars to apply the skills and values of narrative understanding to improve outcomes for both patients and caregivers. It offers a rigorous and in-depth study of close reading of creative texts, illness and disability narratives, narrative ethics, philosophy, creative writing, and other perspectives. 
Narrative Medicine M.S. students join this core faculty and guest instructors to learn the principles and practices of narrative medicine and to explore new areas of theory and application. Students typically take courses on Columbia’s New York City Morningside campus, and a small number of courses are offered with online synchronous instruction. The full-time program typically takes two terms to complete, plus the summer. The part-time program takes 2–6 years to complete and can be done while working full-time. Intake offered in fall.