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Certificate in Oncology Ethics

The Certificate in Oncology Ethics is a six-month online program designed to equip health care professionals with the vocabulary, ethical theories and frameworks, and practical tools needed to respond to ethical dilemmas in oncology with clarity, confidence, and compassion.

Program Highlights

• Weekly live discussions with faculty from MD Anderson's Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care
• Four core online modules
• One elective course and a capstone project
• Course completion in six months

About the Program

Goals and Objectives

The program contains training in the ethics of clinical treatment and clinical trial research activities. Throughout the program, participants will engage with thought-provoking content, collaborate with experienced faculty, and participate in interactive discussions to enhance understanding of ethical dilemmas in the oncology setting. By the end of the program, learners will:

1. Be able to identify a clinical ethics issue.
2. Be equipped with basic ethics frameworks and vocabulary to describe a clinical ethics issue.
3. Develop a deeper appreciation of the complexity of clinical ethics issues.

Structure and Curriculum

Designed for working health care professionals, this instructor-led six-month program can be completed fully online and offers flexible class sessions. Learners will be required to complete online didactic modules and participate in weekly live discussions with faculty from the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care. Discussions will be held via Zoom.

Additionally, participants will be required to deliver one presentation or complete one capstone project at the end of the course.

Months 1-4 will focus on the didactic modules:

• Basic Building Blocks in Understanding Ethics in Clinical Practice
• Treatment Decision-Making
• End-of-Life
• Justice

Month 5, participants will complete an elective course, which they will choose at the beginning of the program. Elective topics include:

• Pediatric Ethics
• Nursing Ethics
• AI Ethics

Months 1-5 require a time commitment of three hours per week. Learners are expected to engage in online reading, assessments, engagement activities, and all virtual sessions. To complete the certificate, an attendance of 75% needs to be recorded.

Month 6, participants will focus on their capstone project, which will be determined by Month 3. The learner, in consultation with faculty, will decide on the project (e.g., process improvement on unit, brochure, staff education, publication, or 40 practical mentored hours).

Individuals who cannot complete the project in time may receive a three-month extension.

Program Timetables, Requirements, and Fees

The certificate program is open to health care professionals from all disciplines and backgrounds. It runs annually from February through August. Applications open in the preceding fall, typically in November. Selected participants will be notified in January. A program fee is due prior to the start date.

Related Resources

• Center for Goal Concordant Care Clinical Operations
• Ethics Consultation Service