Narrative medicine has the capacity to transform the health of individuals, communities, and health care systems. The Graduate Certificate in Narrative Medicine offered by the Keck School of Medicine integrates narrative theory, practical experience, creative writing, and research methods into study of the ethical, philosophical, and sociocultural foundations of clinical relationships. To gain insight into the power of narrative and to develop a critical understanding of the nuance and complexity of storytelling, students in this program will be trained in methods of close reading, attentive listening, and reflective writing in the service of professional development and civic outreach. Students will have the opportunity to learn from community partners and healthcare professionals about the relationship between health and narrative.
Program Requirements
The certificate requires three courses (12 units)
Course | Units | |
MDED-501* | Narrative Medicine I: Witnessing, Listening, Reflecting | 4 |
MDED-502** (B) or MDED-503 | Narrative Medicine II: Methods and Pedagogy or Creative Writing and its Applications in Narrative Medicine | 4 4 |
MDED-504 | Research Methods in Narrative Medicine | 4 |
All 12 units of course credit earned for the certificate program can be applied towards the Master of Science in Narrative Medicine degree upon official admission to that program.
Sample Schedules
One Semester – Fall
Course | Units | |
MDED-501 | Narrative Medicine I: Witnessing, Listening, Reflecting | 4 |
MDED-503 | Creative Writing and its Applications in Narrative Medicine | 4 |
MDED-504 | Research Methods in Narrative Medicine | 4 |
One Year – Fall + Spring
Course | Units | ||
FALL | |||
MDED-501 | Narrative Medicine I: Witnessing, Listening, Reflecting | 4 | |
MDED-504 | Research Methods in Narrative Medicine | 4 | |
SPRING | |||
MDED-502(B) | Narrative Medicine II: Methods and Pedagogy | 4 |
A graduate GPA of at least 3.0 is required at all times. Any student whose graduate GPA falls below 3.0 will be placed on academic probation. Students on academic probation who do not raise their GPA to 3.0 after two semesters of written notification of academic probation will be academically disqualified.