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Academic catalog · 2026–2027

Master in Ethics

The Master in Ethics studies human action, virtue, conscience, responsibility, and the norms of moral judgment. Aristotelian–Thomistic ethics and Christian moral thought enter sustained debate with Kantian, consequentialist, and contemporary approaches.

Program overview

The curriculum connects foundational moral philosophy and natural law to bioethics, business, politics, technology, and social life. Applied inquiry remains accountable to a philosophical anthropology of the person, the virtues, human dignity, justice, and the common good.

Admission requirements

  • A bachelor’s degree or equivalent undergraduate qualification from an institution acceptable to PCU-USA.
  • Official transcripts from every postsecondary institution attended.
  • A curriculum vitae describing academic, professional, or research experience.
  • A statement of purpose explaining the applicant’s preparation and proposed field of graduate study.
  • A substantial academic writing sample demonstrating analytical ability.
  • Evidence of proficiency in the language of instruction.

Curriculum

  1. Foundations of Moral Philosophy — 3 credits
  2. Aristotelian and Thomistic Virtue Ethics — 3 credits
  3. Natural Law and Moral Reasoning — 3 credits
  4. Conscience, Human Action, and Responsibility — 3 credits
  5. Christian Moral Thought — 3 credits
  6. Kantian Ethics and Consequentialism — 3 credits
  7. Bioethics and Human Dignity — 3 credits
  8. Business, Labor, and Economic Ethics — 3 credits
  9. Political and Social Ethics — 3 credits
  10. Technology, Ecology, and Stewardship — 3 credits
  11. Research Seminar in Ethics — 3 credits
  12. Master’s Thesis or Ethics Capstone — 3 credits

Learning outcomes

  • Compare major traditions of moral philosophy and their accounts of obligation, virtue, and the good.
  • Analyze human action, conscience, freedom, and responsibility through Aristotelian–Thomistic and contemporary categories.
  • Evaluate natural-law reasoning and Christian moral thought in relation to rival ethical theories.
  • Apply disciplined ethical analysis to bioethics, economics, politics, technology, and ecology.
  • Distinguish philosophical argument from assertion and respond fairly to competing positions.
  • Synthesize human dignity, virtue, justice, stewardship, and the common good in applied inquiry.
  • Conduct independent research in ethics.

Assessment

  • Assessment includes moral case analysis, close reading of foundational texts, structured disputations, applied policy memoranda, seminar papers, and oral presentations. The final thesis or capstone must unite philosophical argument with responsible treatment of the relevant practical evidence.

Completion requirements

  • Earn all 36 required credits.
  • Pass every required course and remain in satisfactory academic standing.
  • Complete and obtain institutional approval of the master’s thesis or final scholarly project.
  • Resolve all academic-record and graduation requirements before conferral.