Applied and Professional Ethics
A program that focuses on the systematic study of ethical issues in the workplace and public life, and the application of ethical decision-making to the practical problems of society and the professions. Includes instruction in ethical theory; history of ethics; contemporary social dilemmas; methods in applied ethics; and applications including medical ethics, legal ethics, business ethics, environmental ethics, and criminal justice ethics.
- Schools offering
- 14
- Annual completions
- 100
- Typical degree level
- Bachelor's
- Median earnings (5yr)
- $58k
About this major
A program that focuses on the systematic study of ethical issues in the workplace and public life, and the application of ethical decision-making to the practical problems of society and the professions. Includes instruction in ethical theory; history of ethics; contemporary social dilemmas; methods in applied ethics; and applications including medical ethics, legal ethics, business ethics, environmental ethics, and criminal justice ethics.
Examples of specialized tracks: Applied Ethics, Professional Ethics, Engineering Ethics.
Where this major leads
Occupations most often associated with this major, from the federal BLS+O*NET crosswalk. Job-growth projections and median wages are national.
| Occupation | Median wage | Job growth | Typical education |
|---|---|---|---|
| Philosophy and religion teachers, postsecondary | $78k | +0.7% | Doctoral or professional degree |
Earnings at a glance
Median graduate earnings from the federal College Scorecard, 5 and 10 years out.
Median 5-year earnings
$58k
Top colleges for Applied and Professional Ethics
Ranked by annual completions at the associate's or bachelor's level — a proxy for program scale.
| College | Location | Assoc. | Bach. | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of Maryland-College Park | College Park, MD | 0 | 55 | 55 |
| New Mexico State University-Main Campus | Las Cruces, NM | 0 | 19 | 19 |
| University of Baltimore | Baltimore, MD | 0 | 8 | 8 |
| Carnegie Mellon University | Pittsburgh, PA | 0 | 7 | 7 |
| Nazarene Bible College | Colorado Springs, CO | 0 | 6 | 6 |
| St. Thomas University | Miami Gardens, FL | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| University of Wisconsin-Platteville | Platteville, WI | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| Methodist University | Fayetteville, NC | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| North Central College | Naperville, IL | 0 | 1 | 1 |
| William Paterson University of New Jersey | Wayne, NJ | 0 | 0 | 0 |