Get information on degree programs in medical ethics, often called bioethics. Find out what undergraduate and graduate degree programs are offered, and see what courses you'll need for a career in this field.
What You Need to Know
Medical ethics are sometimes referred to as bioethics. The field addresses the role of ethics in medical practice. Whether patients are being treated in a facility or subjects are undergoing scientific research, medical personnel and institutions face tough ethical questions regularly. Some of those conflicts are related to religion, while others may be related to laws or public policy.
As some states and organizations are beginning to require ethics panels in hospitals and other places, medical ethics careers are becoming more common. You may find courses in medical ethics useful, or you may choose graduate studies in the field.
<table border="1"><tr><td><b>Courses</b></td><td> Medical ethics across medicine, nursing, law, insurance and hospital administration</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Degrees</b></td><td> Graduate degrees and certificate programs are available</td></tr>
<tr><td><b>Job Outlook (2021-2031)*</b></td><td> 17% (<i>medical scientists, except epidemiologists</i>)</td></tr>
</table><p><i>*Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics</i>
</p><h3 id="section---WhatKindsOfDegreesAreAvailable">What Kinds of Degrees Are Available?</h3><p>Bioethics degree programs are often found at the graduate level - either as a degree or as certificate programs. Students may be lawyers, doctors, nurses, patient advocates, clergy or allied health professionals. Although you often find bioethics courses offered by a school of medicine, you may also find it as part of a philosophy or theology program. You may be able to pursue a dual degree in medicine and bioethics or in law and bioethics. A Master of Bioethics, a Master of Science or a Master of Arts in Bioethics may be offered. Graduate certificate programs might include a Graduate Certificate in Clinical Bioethics or Research Ethics. Doctoral programs in bioethics are also available.
</p><h3 id="section---WhatWillILearn">What Will I Learn?</h3><p>You may take a course to decide if a graduate program is right for you, or you may be able to take a course to earn required continuing education credits. Your course may be specifically designed for members of a medical ethics committee. These classes may be covered in your medical ethics degree program:
</p><ul><li>Doctor-patient confidentiality
</li><li>Physician-assisted suicide
</li><li>Health care reform
</li><li>Ethics in clinical research
</li><li>Ethical dilemmas in medical cases
</li><li>History of medical ethics
</li><li>Hippocratic Oath
</li><li>Principles of medical associations
</li><li>Bioethics in religion and genetics
</li><li>Global bioethics</li></ul>
