Online Master of Arts in Catholic Clinical Ethics

Through the Master of Arts in Catholic Clinical Ethics core coursework, students develop a strong foundation in Catholic moral theology and the ability to apply philosophical and medical principles in an ethical reasoning process. Topics covered include healthcare as a vocation, philosophy of medicine, cultural and religious sensitivities, pain/palliative care, mental health, sexual, reproductive and gender ethics, Big Data, neuroethics, organizational ethics, justice and health, Christian anthropology (or, moral anthropology), clinical ethics and the law.

Electives offer students the opportunity to tailor the program towards their interests on particular bioethical issues relevant to modern healthcare. Students demonstrate their mastery of critical aspects of ethical reasoning and Catholic Clinical Ethics through the practicum, portfolio and capstone.

As a joint program between Pellegrino Center for Clinical Bioethics at Georgetown University and the School of Theology and Religious Studies at The Catholic University of America, students are given access to faculty, staff, and academic and career resources at both institutions.

Why a Degree in Catholic Clinical Ethics?

The Catholic healthcare system is projected to lose approximately 70.6% of its ethicists over the next few years, creating an urgent need to train ethicists. The Catholic Clinical Ethics programs produce graduates trained in the Catholic tradition of ethical reasoning on medicine and health and ready to step into a Catholic healthcare system.