Graduate Certificate in Bioethics

Combining IU Indianapolis’s unique strengths in health and philosophy

The certificate in bioethics offers a one-year program of study in a rapidly growing field that requires educated and trained theorists and practitioners. IU Indianapolis is home to one of the nation’s largest health-profession complexes, with the nation’s second-largest school of medicine and largest multi-purpose school of nursing. In addition, the Indiana University Center for Bioethics provides a forum for interdisciplinary research and public outreach.

If you pursue the graduate certificate in bioethics, you will have several employment opportunities. You may choose to continue to a terminal degree (M.A. or Ph.D.) program in philosophy or bioethics, after you can be expected to compete for research or faculty positions. You may choose to complete the certificate in concert with a professional degree in medicine, science, nursing, health sciences, or law. Professionals already employed in health-related fields can expect that the certificate will enhance their professional credentials. A graduate certificate in bioethics will be useful to those responsible for policy analysis and development (e.g., on ethics committees), compliance (e.g., in risk management or institutional review-board positions), or teaching and education (e.g., in continuing education programs). This certificate will also be useful to professionals working in legislative or other policy positions.

Course Requirements

To complete the certificate, you will need to take:

  • five courses (15 credit hours) in the IU system, at least three of which (9 credits) must be taken at the IU Indianapolis campus and at least three of which (9 credit hours) must be offered by the Philosophy Department. Unless otherwise stated, all courses must be at the 500-level or higher and be completed with a grade B or higher.
  • P547 Foundation of Bioethics
  • three courses (9 credit hours) in concentration-specific courses, while taking the remaining courses either in concentration-specific courses or in courses that fall within the M.A. core.

Courses taken more than five years prior to completion of the certificate must be retaken or revalidated.

Sample Curricula

Bioethics

Fall semester
P547 Foundations of Bioethics (3 cr.)
P540 Contemporary Ethical Theories (3 cr.)
M504 Introduction to Research Ethics (3 cr.)

Spring semester
P555 Ethical and Policy Issues in International Research (3 cr.)
P696 Topics in Biomedical Ethics: Genethics (3 cr.)

Grades

You are expected to have a bachelor’s degree from an accredited university or its equivalent, with a grade point average of at least 3.0 overall (on a scale of 4) and at least 3.0 as the major GPA.

Admission Deadlines

March 1st – For applicants seeking admission for the summer or fall semesters.

October 15th – For applicants seeking admission for the spring semester.

Non-native English Requirements

If you are a non-native English speaker then you are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). You must also take the English (ESL) examination prior to your first semester of coursework and may be required to take additional classes in English as a second language.

For more information contact:

Graduate Program Director & Advisor, Professor Chad Carmichael, crcarmic@iu.edu