Study Ethics for a Changing World

Arcadia University’s Ethics major prepares students to think critically about moral questions, professional responsibility, justice, and the ethical challenges shaping contemporary life.

This interdisciplinary major combines training in ethical reasoning with coursework in fields where ethical dilemmas arise, including health, law, criminal justice, technology, international relations, diplomacy, humanitarianism, religion, environmental justice, and the natural sciences. Grounded in Philosophy, Religion, Global Studies, Anthropology, Political Science, and History, the program helps students understand how systems of belief are shaped culturally, institutionally, socially, and politically.

Students learn to analyze ethical questions across disciplines and apply ethical reasoning to real-world issues. The major is designed to prepare students for careers and graduate study in fields where ethical decision-making, social analysis, advocacy, and professional responsibility are increasingly important.

Arcadia’s Ethics major offers:

An interdisciplinary foundation in ethical reasoning, philosophy, religion, and global studies
Applied coursework in professional fields where ethical dilemmas arise
Opportunities to study justice, injustice, belief systems, global issues, and social change
Preparation for careers in fields shaped by ethical decision-making and public responsibility
Research and writing experiences that help students build and defend ethical arguments
A senior capstone sequence
A professional practice component through internship or applied advocacy coursework
Future-ready training for industries shaped by AI, cognitive augmentation, political disruption, economic change, and environmental challenges

What You’ll Study

Ethics majors build a foundation in ethical reasoning, philosophy, religious studies, and global studies, then apply that foundation to professional and global issues.

Students examine questions such as:

What does it mean to reason ethically?
How do moral beliefs take shape within cultures, institutions, and societies?
How should individuals and organizations respond to injustice?
What ethical responsibilities do professionals have in fields such as health, law, science, technology, sports, and public service?
How can ethical training guide meaningful work and vocational purpose?

The curriculum includes required core courses, applied ethics coursework, global and social justice-focused courses, research and writing experiences, a senior capstone, and professional practice.

Why Study Ethics at Arcadia?

Ethical questions shape every profession and every community. Arcadia’s Ethics major prepares students to examine complex issues, understand systems of belief, analyze injustice, and apply ethical reasoning to real-world problems.

With interdisciplinary training in moral reasoning, advocacy, justice, policy, and professional responsibility, graduates are prepared for careers and graduate study in fields such as law, public policy, criminal justice, healthcare ethics, human rights, international relations, nonprofit leadership, environmental justice, technology and AI ethics, and education.

Featured Courses

Introduction to Ethics

This course explores major theories about the nature, purpose, and foundation of moral judgment through the work of influential philosophers including Aristotle, Hume, Mill, and Kant. Students develop critical thinking and ethical reasoning skills that apply across academic and professional settings.

The Human in Humanitarianism

Examine humanitarianism as a response to political violence, genocide, natural disasters, and climate-related crises in this interdisciplinary course. Students explore the experiences of individuals and communities interacting with humanitarian systems through research, writing, and experiential learning.

Social and Ethical Issues in Sport

Examine the ethical and social issues shaping the world of sports beyond competition in this course, including athlete compensation, gambling, diversity and gender equity, violence, academic eligibility, and youth athletics.

Antiracist Immigration Law and Advocacy

Develop an understanding of antiracist approaches to immigration law and humanitarian advocacy while exploring asylum processes, systemic inequities, and strategies for legal and social change.

Peace Perspectives of World Religions

Discover how major world religions approach peace-making, conflict resolution, and coexistence across cultures and communities. This course explores peace traditions within Buddhism, Islam, Judaism, Christianity, Hinduism, Indigenous traditions, and others.

— APPLY NOW —