The Master of Arts in Applied Ethics is a new graduate program, approved in the spring of 2003. There are two application deadlines. January 15: This deadline pertains to students seeking financial support during the first year of graduate study. The department will aggressively seek funding for qualified students who apply by this date, but cannot guarantee funding. March 15: This later application deadline pertains to students who seek admission but are not seeking funding for their first year of study. Both the January 15 and March 15 application deadlines are for admission and enrollment for the following fall term.
We live in uncertain times, where changes in what is technologically possible are challenging notions of what is morally permissible and bringing important values into conflict with one another. To make wise decisions, today's professionals need to understand matters beyond the technical and scientific aspects of their work. The MA in Applied Ethics is designed to provide students with skills of moral reasoning and an understanding of ethical values and dilemmas in today's world. Students will be able to identify, analyze and suggest solutions to ethical problems which arise in their professional and civic lives.
Students are required to take courses in ethical theory as well as courses in applied ethics and in an appropriate disciplinary or integrated minor. Completion of the degree requires a practicum and thesis. Please note that Oregon State University also requires completion of two years of a foreign language for any master's degree. For other university requirements, see OSU MA and MAIS PROGRAMS.
Departmental requirements include a program meeting before 36 credits are completed.
Required Course of Study
(45 credits minimum required)
A. Philosophy Core (9 credits). These courses are required:
PHL 525 Philosophical Methodology (3)
PHL 541 Classical Moral Theories (3)
PHL 542 Contemporary Moral Theories (3)
B. Applied Ethics (15 required w/maximum of 6 credits from PHL 501, 502 and 505).
PHL 501 Research (1-16)
PHL 502 Independent Study (1-16)
PHL 505 Reading and Conference (1-16)
PHL 507 Seminar (1-16)
PHL 512 Great Figures (4)
PHL 517 Feminist Philosophies (3)
PHL 540 Environmental Ethics (3)
PHL 543 World View and Environmental Values (3)
PHL 544 Biomedical Ethics (4)
PHL 547 Research Ethics (3)
PHL 555 Death and Dying (3)
PHL 561 Art and Morality (3)
PHL 570 Philosophy of Science (3)
PHL 591 Sustainable Forestry (3)
PHL 599 Special Topics (3)
C. PHL 510 Practicum (3 credits required, 6 allowed)
D. PHL 503 Thesis (6-9 credits)
E. Disciplinary or Integrated Minor (12 credits required)
For further information about Graduate Study in Philosophy at OSU, contact:
Prof. Lani Roberts
Graduate Program Coordinator
Department of Philosophy
Oregon State University
Corvallis, OR 97331
541-737-2955
Fax: 541-737-2571
email: lroberts@oregonstate.edu