Program Description
The ethics certificate program is designed to give students a richer understanding of systematic philosophical thinking about ethics. Students with majors in business, nursing, journalism and public administration, as well as those who plan to pursue legal careers, among others, may find that training in ethics is beneficial to their career goals.
The certificate program permits some flexibility regarding course selection, thereby facilitating particular student interests.
Program Requirements
The certificate in ethics consists of 18 credit hours. All courses must be passed with a minimum grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale). At least 12 credit hours must be upper-division. At least six upper-division hours must be in courses offered by The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.
Core Course (choose one) -- 3 credit hours
Electives (choose five) -- 15 credit hours
PHI 420 is a variable topics course that may be taken more than once, so long as the topics are different. Only topics related to ethics will apply to the certificate.
One course outside the list of electives, and perhaps outside the PHI subject code, may be used with written approval of the director of undergraduate studies.
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
Enrollment Requirements
Incompatible Majors: BA in philosophy (morality, politics and law)
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded prior to the award of an undergraduate degree. A student already holding an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Learning Outcomes
- Students will be able to evaluate how well different normative ethical theories such as consequentialism, deontology and virtue theory provide moral standards that dictate which (if any) actions are right and wrong or how well different metaethical theories such as realism, expressivism, relativism, nihilism, compatibilism or incompatibilism account for the meaning and truth of moral claims.
- Students will be able to apply leading ethical theories to practical ethical questions that arise in life.
Career Outlook
An undergraduate certificate can advance students' career options.
Students become more marketable to employers when they complement their major program of study with this specialization in ethics. The certificate is evidence of analytical, reasoning and writing skills and competence in areas of increasing concern to employers, such as ethics, public policy and justice.
Students who complete the ethics certificate often decide to pursue careers in business, law, policy or politics. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Example Careers
Students who complete this degree program may be prepared for the following careers. Advanced degrees or certifications may be required for academic or clinical positions.
Business Intelligence Analysts
- Growth: 35.2%
- Median Salary*: 103500
Compliance Managers
- Growth: 3.3%
- Median Salary*: 128620
Occupational Health and Safety Specialists
- Growth: 13.3%
- Median Salary*: 78570
Intelligence Analysts
- Growth: 1.5%
- Median Salary*: 86280
Judges, Magistrate Judges, and Magistrates
- Growth: 2.2%
- Median Salary*: 151030
Judicial Law Clerks
- Growth: 2.3%
- Median Salary*: 57490
Lawyers
- Growth: 7.5%
- Median Salary*: 135740
Arbitrators, Mediators, and Conciliators
- Growth: 5%
- Median Salary*: 64030
Legislators
- Growth: 3.4%
- Median Salary*: 48090
* Data obtained from the Occupational Information Network (O*NET) under sponsorship of the U.S. Department of Labor/Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA).
Program Contact Information
If you have questions related to admission, please click here to request information and an admission specialist will reach out to you directly.
For questions regarding faculty or courses, please use the contact information below.
Concurrent degree programs are specially designed academic programs which provide high-achieving undergraduate students the opportunity to complete two distinct but complementary bachelor degrees at the same time. Students must meet minimum admissions standards for both programs and be accepted individually by both colleges offering the concurrent program.
Students pursuing concurrent degrees earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. ASU offers students two ways to earn concurrent degrees: by choosing a predetermined combination or creating their own combination. Predetermined combinations have a single admissions application and one easy to follow major map. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor. Either way, concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master's degree. These programs feature the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty.
ASU students may accelerate their studies by earning a bachelor’s and a master’s degree in as little as five years (for some programs) or by earning a bachelor’s degree in 2.5 or 3 years.
Accelerated bachelor's and master's degree programs are designed for high-achieving undergraduate students who want the opportunity to combine undergraduate coursework with graduate coursework to accelerate completion of their master’s degree. These programs, featuring the same high-quality curriculum taught by ASU's world-renowned faculty, allow students to obtain both a bachelor's and a master's degree in as little as five years.
Accelerated bachelor’s degree programs allow students to choose either a 2.5- or a 3-year path while participating in the same high-quality educational experience of a 4-year option. Students can opt to fast-track their studies after acceptance into a participating program by connecting with their academic advisor.
This is only the first required math course. This program may contain additional math courses; See Major Map for details.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required.
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the General level: MAT 142
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Moderate level: MAT 117, MAT 119, MAT 170, MAT 210, SOS 101, CPI 200
The level of intensity represents a measure of the number and academic rigor of math courses required. Courses included in the Substantial level: MAT 251, MAT 265. MAT 266, MAT 267, MAT 270, MAT 271, MAT 272, MAT 274, MAT 275
To add a minor, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
To add a certificate, please consult with the academic advisor for your major.
A rolling deadline means that applications will continue to be reviewed on a regular basis until the semester begins. International students should be mindful of visa deadlines to ensure there is time to produce necessary visa documents. Applicants are encouraged to complete and submit application materials as soon as possible for consideration.
A final deadline means that all applications and application materials must be received by Graduate Admissions by the deadline date. Applications that are incomplete may not be considered after the final deadline. Applications that are submitted past the final deadline may not be considered.
A priority deadline means that applications submitted and completed before the priority deadline will receive priority consideration. Applications submitted after the priority deadlines will be reviewed in the order in which they were completed and on a space available basis. An application is complete after all materials are received by Graduate Admissions.
