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Dublin City University

Ethics

Since 2010, DCU's renowned MA in Ethics has attracted people from various graduate and occupational backgrounds including education, journalism, social work, business, the charity sector, healthcare and law. No philosophy or ethics background is required to apply for this course. While pursuing your MA in Ethics at DCU, you'll confront and evaluate a range of important contemporary ethical challenges in society. The course modules focus on both general and applied ethics, and the programme draws on diverse expertise from the areas of ethics, philosophy, theology and humanities.

The degree attracts individuals looking to develop analytical and decision-making skills so that they can apply ethical perspectives and principles to real-life and professional dilemmas.

After graduation you can join our MA in Ethics Alumni and be part of a network of expertise and support in the field of ethics.

Programme
Why Do This Programme?
•Gain an understanding of a broad range of ethical theories and principles at the forefront of general and applied ethics.
•Acquire a critical awareness of contemporary public and professional ethical issues, together with new ethical insights, developed and informed by a variety of philosophical, theological, human rights, and intercultural perspectives.
•Learn how to analyse specific ethical issues, challenges and dilemmas arising from contemporary work, professional activity and public life.

Programme Aims and Objectives
The MA in Ethics was established in 2010 in light of an ongoing demand for expertise in ethical analysis and decision-making, and aims to "add value" to continuing professional development. The programme's underpinning philosophy is that ethical issues are best examined through a wide spectrum of ethical theories and by developing an active and creative interaction between theory and practice. You'll receive a grounding in the foundations of ethics, human rights and social justice. You'll also develop the necessary ethical analysis and decision-making skills to apply ethical perspectives and principles to real-life and professional dilemmas.

Entry requirements

General Entry Requirements
Applicants will normally have an honours primary degree or equivalent (2.2) but appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may be accepted as equivalent to an honours degree, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the University.

Interviews may be held.
International candidates are expected to have educational qualifications of a standard equivalent to those outlined above. In addition, where such candidates are non-native speakers of the English language they must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.

Duration

2 years part-time.

Careers or further progression

Careers
The MA in Ethics will be of particular relevance to you if you participate in ethics committees and activities relating to corporate social responsibility/citizenship, regulations or human rights. At the same time, other graduates without professional experience will benefit from the knowledge provided in this course and develop important ethical decision-making skills.

Potential Careers
•Education
•Management
•Health Care
•Medical Practice
•Chaplaincy
•Business
•Finance
•Banking
•Law
•Human Resources
•Social Work
•Other Care Services

Further enquiries

Dr Alan Kearns
e: alan.kearns@dcu.ie
t: +353 (0)1 808 6529

Prof. Bert Gordijn
e: bert.gordijn@dcu.ie
t: +353 (0) 1 700 6140

Subjects taught

Programme Structure and Content
You'll undertake the course part-time over two years, completing six taught modules, all of which are core:
•Introduction to Ethics
•Readings in Ethics
•Human Rights & Social Justice
•Business Ethics Or Contemporary Topics in Ethics
•Global Bioethics
•Comparative Religious Ethics

You'll also complete a minor thesis on an ethical issue or question either of a general public concern or of professional relevance.

Lectures take place Tuesday evenings and on two Saturdays (in the first year).

Comment

Why Choose DCU?
DCU's MA in Ethics is designed to help you contribute to an ethically sustainable society by enhancing your knowledge-base in ethics, as well as building your skill set in ethical reasoning and decision-making. DCU's excellence is recognised internationally and it is regularly featured among the top young universities globally, as measured by the Times Higher Education Top 100 under 50 and the QS Top 50 under 50. In the last nine years, DCU has twice been named Sunday Times 'University of the Year'.