Studying Ethics: Degrees at a Glance
Many colleges and universities across the country feature ethics degree programs. Some programs are offered as concentrations within a philosophy program, while others take a more business-oriented focus to the study of ethics. An example of the latter would be a program in organizational management (or leadership) and ethics. In some cases, ethics programs are more focused on global affairs and peace studies or law.
Because of the variation in ethics degree programs, it's important to choose one that matches your career goals and interests. Those who graduate from ethics programs often pursue careers in business, government, journalism, public policy or management. Employers in these fields might be inclined to hire an ethics graduate since the discipline helps individuals develop skills in research, critical thinking, communications and information management.
Here's a quick, side-by-side look at two types of ethics degrees:
Bachelor's | Master's | |
---|---|---|
Who is this degree for? | Individuals looking for a solid liberal arts education and hoping to enter the workforce in a business or management position | People seeking advanced academic or applied careers in which ethics plays a major role |
Common Career Paths (with approximate mean annual salary) | - Public relations specialist ($60,000)* - Public relations and fundraising manager ($106,000 - this salary is more common for people with 5-10 years of experience)* - Human resources manager ($109,000 - this salary is more common for people with 1-5 years of experience)* | - Same as bachelor's degree; higher-level positions and advancement more likely with master's degree |
Time to Completion | Four years, full-time | Two years of graduate study, full-time |
Common Graduation Requirements | - Courses in philosophy, sociology, history and economics - Capstone project | - Roughly 30-36 semester credits of graduate coursework - Thesis or capstone |
Prerequisites | High school diploma or equivalent | Bachelor's degree in any field; GRE scores |
Online Availability | Yes | Some programs offer some classes online |
Source: *U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2011 figures)