Ethics

Undergraduate Minor

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Earn an ethics minor from UW

The truth is ethical questions arise in almost every profession. UW’s ethics minor prepares you to handle these situations thoughtfully and responsibly, regardless of whether you’re pursuing a career in healthcare, law, education, business or engineering.

The ethics program is highly customizable, so you can tailor your courses to your interests and career path. This flexibility gives you the freedom to study the areas of ethics you’re most interested in, including environmental ethics and the ethical implications of new technologies.

Studying ethics gives our grads a competitive edge in their job search. Nearly all industries have a growing interest in professional ethics and will see your interest and tailored education as an asset.

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This program is currently offered in
the following locations:

Laramie Campus

About the Ethics Program

The ethics minor is a wonderful companion to any UW undergraduate degree, as it prepares students to make responsible, thoughtful decisions in a variety of settings. As part of the program, you’ll take at least 18 credit hours of courses. The ethics minor curriculum is highly customizable in order to allow students to choose the courses that apply to their interests and desired career path. All students take theory and application courses and then choose advanced electives. Students also complete a capstone project under the guidance of a faculty member.

Anyone pursuing an undergraduate degree from the University of Wyoming may enroll in the ethics minor. There are no restrictions based on major.

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UW’s Philosophy Department is home to many accomplished faculty members. The ethics minor is no exception! Learn more about the professors you’ll meet within the program.

  • Dr. Rob Colter: Dr. Colter’s research focuses on ancient Greek philosophy, particularly on the ethical and political ideas of philosophers like Socrates and Plato.
  • Dr. Kristin Tennyson: Dr. Tennyson is known for her work in environmental ethics. She examines ethical issues related to environmental conservation, sustainability and natural resources. 
  • Dr. Jeff Lockwood: Dr. Lockwood focuses on bioethics and philosophy of science. He investigates the intersection of ethics and scientific practice, exploring how ethical standards apply to emerging scientific fields and technologies.
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Ethics Minor Program Highlights

Flexibility & Customization

The ethics minor is highly customizable, allowing students to tailor their courses to complement their major and career goals. For this reason, the ethics minor is a great addition to many UW degree programs, from computer science to nursing to business and beyond.

 

Ethical questions arise in nearly every profession. So whether you plan to deal with medical ethics, environmental concerns or business ethics, you’ll be able to apply what you’ve learned as soon as you graduate.

 

This unique program effortlessly combines philosophy with real-world applications through an interdisciplinary curriculum. Students take theoretical courses as well as applied ethics courses. This approach helps students engage with ethical questions across many fields, including technology, the environment and business. 

 

All ethics students have the opportunity to complete a capstone project. These projects are completed through independent study under the guidance of a faculty member. Your capstone project is an incredible way to apply your skills and knowledge to a specific issue or field of interest. Plus, it gives you a valuable, in-depth project to showcase during your job search.

 

What can you do with an ethics minor?

An ethics degree easily applies to a wide variety of career pursuits. You’re likely to face ethical challenges or need to answer ethical questions, regardless of your industry or role. Most industries are placing more and more importance on professional ethics, so this minor will help you showcase that you’re prepared to work in a thoughtful and responsible manner.

The door is open to a wide range of jobs, including:

  • Nonprofit program coordinator
  • Ethics and sustainability advisor
  • Legal assistant or paralegal
  • Philosophy or ethics educator
  • Human rights advocate
  • Policy analyst
  • Healthcare ethics consultant
  • And many more!

With an ethics degree, you can pursue careers that require strong critical thinking, decision-making and a deep understanding of moral and societal issues.

Graduates often work in fields like:

  • Law and public policy
  • Healthcare ethics and bioethics
  • Business ethics and corporate compliance
  • Nonprofit and advocacy organizations
  • Education and academia
  • Religious and spiritual leadership
  • Technology ethics and AI policy

Yes, an ethics degree is excellent preparation for graduate school. It builds strong skills in critical thinking, logical reasoning, writing and ethical analysis—all of which are essential for success in fields like law, philosophy, public policy, theology and healthcare. Whether you're aiming for a JD, MA, MPA or another advanced degree, an ethics background shows that you can thoughtfully navigate complex issues and make well-reasoned arguments.

If you're considering an ethics minor and thinking about becoming an ethicist, you'll likely start with a bachelor's degree philosophy or a related field, then pursue a graduate degree. From there, you can specialize in areas like healthcare, business or technology ethics, gaining experience through internships, research or advisory roles. Many ethicists work in education, healthcare, policy or consulting, helping organizations navigate complex moral decisions.