Healthcare Ethics
Duquesne's master's-level healthcare ethics program focuses on the study of ethical
issues related to the many components of healthcare, providing you with a comprehensive
understanding of the ethical and moral principles that underlie healthcare practices,
policies and decision-making.
As a healthcare ethics student, you will explore topics such as decision-making capacity,
surrogate decision-making, beneficence and health justice, alongside the philosophical,
religious and cultural perspectives that shape attitudes toward ethical issues in
healthcare.
Upon graduation, you may build a career in a variety of sectors, including healthcare
ethics consultation, hospital administration, healthcare policy, NGO work or academic
research, where you will apply your knowledge to real-world ethical dilemmas in the
healthcare field. The program is also the perfect leaping-off point for graduates
to pursue a Ph.D. in healthcare ethics.
Requirements & Path to Further Study
This master's program requires a total of 10 courses (30 credits): a graduate-level
introduction to ethics course plus nine courses selected from our general healthcare
ethics courses. You'll select the nine HCE courses, according to your interests.
There is no requirement for a thesis or for a comprehensive examination, but to apply
you must already have earned a bachelor's degree.
As a candidate for the master of arts in healthcare ethics, you are eligible to receive
a Master of Arts Scholarshipthrough the Duquesne University McAnulty College and
Graduate School, which can reduce degree costs by 25%.
If, after earning your M.A. degree, you want to move on to the Ph.D. program, 18 more
credits will be required, so that 48 total credits have been completed before you
may apply for the comprehensive examination.