Program Overview

Certificate Program in Bioethics

Overview

The Certificate Program in Bioethics is designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of the essential theories and methods that underpin the ethics of public health, clinical care, science, and research.

Educational Objectives

The program aims to achieve the following educational objectives:

1. Describe the essential theories and methods that underpin the ethics of public health, clinical care, science, and research;
2. Recognize ethical issues and questions that arise in public health, clinical care, science, and research;
3. Articulate and critique policy and scholarly arguments to engage with long-standing and emerging debates in bioethics;
4. Distinguish various ethics advisory functions in practice settings; and
5. Apply ethical theories and methods to real-world ethical dilemmas.

Admissions

Admissions information is available on the Bloomberg School of Public Health website.

Requirements for Successful Completion

The certificate program requires a minimum of 18 term credits. Students will complete three required courses totaling 9 credits, then choose three courses from the Berman Institute course list totaling 9 credits to fulfill the 18-credit requirement to complete the certificate program.

• All required and elective courses must be taken for a letter grade;
• A minimum grade of C is required in all certificate coursework;
• Students must maintain a 2.75 or better overall GPA for all certificate coursework;
• All courses must be completed within a three-year period.

Course of Study

Students should check the Bloomberg School of Public Health course directory to confirm when the courses are offered. Students should also check for pre-requisites and whether instructor consent is required.

Required Courses (9 credits required)

• PH.700.601: Foundations of Bioethics (offered onsite in 1st term) - 3 credits
• PH.700.602: Hot Topics in Bioethics (offered onsite in 2nd term) - 3 credits
• PH.700.603: Introduction to Ethical Theory (offered onsite in 1st term) - 3 credits

Elective Courses (minimum of 9 credits)

• PH.700.622: Bioethics, Human Rights, and Global Health (typically offered onsite in 2nd term) - 3 credits
• PH.700.625: Bioethics and the Law (typically offered onsite in 4th term) - 3 credits
• PH.700.632: Ethics, Policy, and Emerging Biomedical Technologies (typically offered onsite in 4th term) - 3 credits
• PH.700.642: Vulnerability in Childhood -- from Ethics to Advocacy (typically offered onsite in 4th term) - 3 credits
• PH.700.643: Understanding Addiction: Philosophy, Science, Ethics (typically offered onsite in 2nd term) - 3 credits
• PH.700.650: Race and Bioethics (typically offered in 3rd term) - 3 credits
• PH.700.652: Bioethics and Embodiment - 3 credits
• PH.700.653: Climate Change and Health: Bioethics Perspectives - 3 credits

Completion

The student should review the section of the website that addresses completion before completing certificate program requirements. The student's transcripts will not indicate that the certificate was earned until the Notification of Completion form has been submitted, verified by the certificate program, and processed by the Registrar.