Education
Led by a team of nationally recognized teachers and researchers in bioethics and the health humanities, the Institute for Bioethics supports and promotes a wide range of innovative academic programming across the University of Pittsburgh in collaboration with the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences, the School of Law, the School of Medicine and the School of Public Health. Students from varied backgrounds, pursuing diverse career paths, can explore ethical and social issues associated with health care, the health humanities and sciences and medical research within these innovative programs through degree programs, coursework, seminars, clinical rotations and scholarship.
Bioethics Education and Programming for Undergraduates
The University of Pittsburgh is committed to high-quality undergraduate bioethics education across the health sciences, humanities and social sciences. Several institute faculty regularly offer courses in bioethics and health humanities for undergraduate students.
Pitt’s flagship undergraduate program is the Bioethics Certificate, offered through Pitt’s School of Public Health. The certificate program prepares undergraduate students to identify, address, and work to resolve difficult ethical issues and cases arising in healthcare practice.
Additionally, the University of Pittsburgh offers educational opportunities for undergraduates in Health Humanities and History and Philosophy of Science.
Learn more about the institute's support for undergraduate programming.
Graduate Programs in Bioethics
The institute provides programming and marketing support for graduate-level academic programs at the University of Pittsburgh. The University offers both a Master of Arts in Bioethics and a Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.
Master of Arts in Bioethics
The Institute for Bioethics is the academic home for Pitt’s Master of Arts (MA) in Bioethics, awarded through the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. Combining coursework and resources across the humanities, social sciences and health sciences, this interdisciplinary program prepares students for addressing important ethical issues arising in clinical care, medical research and policy making, and for future academic or clinical training in bioethics. The MA program requires completion of 30 credits, consisting of core bioethics coursework (9 credits), electives selected according to students’ academic interests and career goals and a scholarly thesis. Students may complete the program on a full-time or part-time basis.
Learn more about the MA in Bioethics program.
Graduate Certificate in Bioethics
The graduate certificate in Bioethics is awarded through the Kenneth P. Dietrich School of Arts and Sciences. The graduate certificate provides students with a broad, interdisciplinary background in the fundamental concepts and methods of bioethics. Students also develop a familiarity with emerging issues in bioethics. The graduate certificate requires completion of a total of 15 credits; Students complete 9 credits of core bioethics coursework and 6 credits of electives selected according to the students’ interests.
The graduate certificate is geared toward postbaccalaureate healthcare professionals and those working in health-related fields, as well as current graduate and professional students in other disciplines who wish to acquire a strong competence in bioethics.
Learn more about the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics.
The Institute for Bioethics provides additional opportunities to graduate students for professional development, participation in academic reading groups and seminars and financial support for presentations at professional conferences.
Education Events
Institute Seminars
Throughout the regular academic year, the Institute for Bioethics hosts multiple seminar series in bioethics, the health humanities and social sciences, and clinical ethics. These in-person seminars gather together faculty, clinicians, trainees and students from Pitt, UPMC, and other local institutions for scholarly presentations, ethics case conferences, vigorous discussion and building community and academic friendship. Please see the institute calendar for a schedule of these institute seminars.
Grand Rounds in the Health Sciences Schools
Partnering with departments through Pitt’s Schools of the Health Sciences, the Institute for Bioethics co-organizes Ethics Grand Rounds, featuring nationally recognized speakers and scholars. Please see the institute calendar for a schedule of the Ethics Grand Rounds.
Annual Healthcare Ethics Conference
The Institute for Bioethics partners locally with the Passavant Hospital Foundation and UPMC to host its annual Healthcare Ethics Conference. Geared toward clinicians, clinical ethicists, social works and legal professionals, the conference brings together expert speakers for a full day of educational talks, interactive workshops and professional networking.
Learn more about the annual Healthcare Ethics Conference.