MA Applied Ethics, 60 credits

Degree: Master of Arts with a major in Applied Ethics.
 

Applied ethics is a growing interdisciplinary field that studies ethical issues in different areas such as: politics, medicine, research, technology, as well as different forms of professional ethics. Questions such as global justice, implications of new technology in healthcare concerning life and death, environmental responsibility for future generations are some of the issues that applied ethics is dealing with. The subject has its disciplinary basis in moral philosophy and ethics but requires also area knowledge and expertise in different fields of application.

The programme offers a complementary education on master’s level in applied ethics for students already holding a bachelor’s degree in different fields, from philosophy to health and technology, or a professional degree. The aim of the programme is to offer students the opportunity to pursue advanced studies in applied ethics.

Students will:

• acquire knowledge of ethical theories and different fields of applied ethics,
• develop the ability to identify, analyse and critically examine ethical problems and
• learn how to argue for a chosen position in discussions about ethical issues and applied ethics as well as to advice handling ethical dilemmas in different kinds of social practices.

The programme enables students to gain knowledge regarding ethical theories and methods, as well as ethical debates in different fields of application. Acquired skills include how to analyse moral problems and ethical debates and how to critically assess ethical arguments and policy documents. Moreover, students will learn how to construct ethical positions and to write policy recommendations, as well as how to moderate debates and to participate in ethical deliberations in a fruitful way.

The competencies and skills acquired through the programme can be used for different purposes and in different professional settings. Our academic master's programme has been very successful in preparing students for further academic careers. A recent survey shows that around 40% of the students so far have been able to get a position (teacher/PhD) at a university. However, the programme also prepares students for professional careers outside of academia.

Applied Ethics is a programme for you who:

• are interested in ethical questions
• want to work with ethical issues in the society
• want to further research the field of ethics and applied ethics

An international programme

The programme started in 2001 and it has been recruiting students from all over the world as well as teachers from different countries. It is unique in Sweden and there are only a few similar programmes in Europe. Both Swedish and international students are welcome. We cooperate with the Master’s programme at Utrecht University in the Netherlands and students may choose courses in Utrecht, as part of the programme.

Courses and structure

The master’s programme provides both a broad overview of the field of applied ethics and possibilities for deeper research, especially when working with the master’s thesis.

The Centre for Applied Ethics

The Centre for Applied Ethics (CTE) was founded in 1994. CTE is a multidisciplinary centre at Linköping University devoted to research and teaching in applied ethics. Programme lecturers pursue research mainly in the following areas: political ethics and global justice, bioethics, ICT-ethics, research ethics, ethics and economy and the theory and method of applied ethics. We collaborate with academic institutions in e.g. South Africa, Uganda, Malaysia, Thailand, China, Japan, Germany, the United Kingdom and the USA.

Employment and career opportunities

A master in applied ethics gives you a unique competence that is added to your professional or disciplinary education. When working as a nurse, teacher, minister, civil servant or economist, you are the one who is selected for dealing with ethical issues. As a citizen or a professional you face ethical problems in society and work on a daily basis. Mastering applied ethics provides you with tools to structure the discussions and distinguish between good and bad arguments.

A great number of our master's students continue to doctoral studies in different areas of applied ethics and professional ethics.

Admission requirements

Applicants are expected to have a bachelor's degree.

Read more about entry requirements and the application process.