Master of Science of Narrative Medicine
The Master of Science in Narrative Medicine at the Keck School of Medicine of USC integrates narrative theory, practical experience and research methods to focus on the ethical implications of storytelling for individuals, community wellness, and the health care system. Narrative Medicine at USC is uniquely positioned for innovation as one of only two programs in the nation. Our students become adept at offering solutions that recognize the intersection between the biomedical, behavioral, and health system sciences, and issues of health care equity and social justice
“Narrative Medicine creates opportunities for the receiver of the story to learn and for the speaker to heal”. – Deyanira Ibarra – Class of 2021
The mission of the USC Narrative Medicine program is to equip students with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to bear witness to and act upon the stories of others, empowering future scholars and practitioners in healthcare and its allied fields to advocate for health and social justice through community engagement and service.
A cornerstone of our unique programming is our partnership with local nonprofit outreach groups. Students in the Narrative Medicine program will have the opportunity to teach and learn from community partners about the relationship between health and narrative.
Student Backgrounds
- Medicine
- Anthropology
- Creative Writing
- Social Justice
- Community organizing
- Entertainment
- Journalism
- Nonprofit
Skills You’ll Gain
- Close reading in service of attention, representation, and affiliation in the context of wellness and healthcare
- Tools of reflective and creative writing to transform therapeutic connections
- Strategies for challenging the hierarchy between patient and clinician
- Techniques for analyzing the ethics of narrative and story-telling
“Narrative Medicine enabled me to receive individual stories, learn how to react to them, and respectfully listen, and understand”.
Ven Taylor – class of 2022
The program is designed to strengthen and reshape the ways institutions and individuals understand the relationship between clinical medicine, public health and social justice, as well as reaffirm and learn from the intimate, interpersonal experiences of the clinical encounter.
View a 25 minute lecture about Narrative Medicine and Humanizing Medicine by one of our Faculty, Jonathan Chou, here.
For information regarding the estimated cost of attendance, please visit the Financial Aid website