Certificate in Ethics

The Certificate in Ethics equips you with the logical and conceptual tools and practical reasoning skills needed to navigate the complex moral challenges shaping today’s diverse and interconnected world:

• Build skills for high-stakes decisions by strenghtening your ethical reasoning, critical thinking and ability to make better choices.
• Stand out to employers who value graduates that can think critically, communicate clearly and lead responsibly.
• Prepare for an AI-driven world and the ethical challenges of emerging technology to help shape the future.

You will explore theoretical and applied ethical questions across multiple domains, including artificial intelligence, emerging technologies, healthcare and biotechnology, climate ethics and environmental sustainability, social and political justice, cultural diversity, human rights, democracy, legal responsibility, and corporate ethics.

This certificate consists of 2.0 credits and must be completed concurrently with your honours program. It's open to students from all majors.

Required Courses

You must complete 2.0 credits from the following:

• PP110 - Values and Society
• PP103 - Philosophy of Happiness
• PP203 - Social and Political Philosophy
• PP207 - Ethical Theories
• PP213 - Legal Philosophy
• PP217 - Medical Ethics
• PP219 - Feminist Philosophy
• PP222 - Ethics and AI
• PP223 - Contemporary Moral Issues
• PP224 - Environmental Ethics
• PP230 - Philosophy of War and Peace
• PP247 - Business Ethics
• PP249 - Philosophy and Gender
• PP380M - Climate Ethics and the Social Contract
• HP201 - The Ethics and Philosophy of Science

Program Notes and Regulations

1. Students must be enrolled in an honours program at Laurier at the Waterloo campus.
2. Students in Honours BA Philosophy and the Minor BA Philosophy programs are not eligible to complete this certificate.
3. Graduation requires a minimum grade of C+ (6.0) in the included courses, as well as successful completion of the Laurier Honours undergraduate degree.
4. The certificate may be completed only once.

Career Development

Where will your degree take you? Develop the ethical reasoning and critical-thinking skills to navigate the decisions that shape our world:

• Medicine and Health Care: Make ethical decisions that impacts lives.
• Law and Justice: Understand justice, rights and the rule of law.
• AI and Technology: Navigate technology and innovation responsibly.
• Business and Management: Lead responsibly, build trust and create value.
• Climate and Environment: Address urgent challenges ethically.
• Public Policy and Government: Improve decisions that shape our communities.