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Mission Statement:
Narrative Medicine fortifies clinical practice with the narrative competence to recognize, absorb, metabolize, interpret, and be moved by the stories of illness. Through narrative training, the Program in Narrative Medicine helps doctors, nurses, social workers, and therapists to improve the effectiveness of care by developing the capacity for attention, reflection, representation, and affiliation with patients and colleagues. Our research and outreach missions are conceptualizing, evaluating, and spear-heading these ideas and practices nationally and internationally.




Columbia University launched a new Master of Science in Narrative Medicine in fall of 2009. Proud to be the first degree program of its kind, this important educational advance improves the  quality of patient care and contributes to the healing of our ailing health care system itself. The program was named #1 of the "New Master's of the Universe" by the New York Times. Learn the skills of narrative competence and master the leadership required to develop and implement narrative-based learning and practice in clinical settings.

  • Gain the skills of narrative expression and the ability to teach these skills to others.

  • Enhance and enrich your skills of close reading, literary analysis, reflective writing and “witnessing,” as applied to providing quality health care.

  • Learn from narrativists and specialists in a range of elective areas and related disciplines.

  • Share intellectual and practical learning with exceptional students in health and other disciplines and from experienced, practicing professionals.

  • Work with a mentor on an individualized capstone project or internship tailored to student and professional goals.

  • Study full-time or part-time.

Click here to read the official program announcement and go to www.ce.columbia.edu/ narrativemedicine to learn more about program of study, courses, faculty, and admissions. For further information, contact Scott Alderman at sma67@columbia.edu or call Continuing Education 212-854-9699.


Program in Narrative Medicine
630 West 168th Street PH 9-East Room 105 New York, NY 10032
Tel: 212.305.4975 Fax: 212.305.9349

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