Best institutions to study 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.
27 U.S. institutions graduated 250 Applied and Professional Ethics students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 38.0104, a specialization of Philosophy (CIP 38.01), and leads most directly to the Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary occupation (BLS SOC 25-1126).
About Applied and Professional Ethics programs
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.
See also: 51.3201 - Bioethics/Medical Ethics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Applied and Professional Ethics program, a specialization within Philosophy, focuses on the systematic study of ethical issues encountered in various professional settings and public life. This program is designed for students interested in understanding and applying ethical decision-making to real-world challenges across multiple fields, including business, law, and healthcare.
Students in this program will gain essential skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and effective communication. Coursework covers ethical theory, contemporary social dilemmas, and applied ethics in areas such as medical, legal, and environmental ethics, preparing graduates to tackle complex ethical issues.
Credentials awarded
What Applied and Professional Ethics graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Bachelor's degree83 graduates / yr · 7 institutions33%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year81 graduates / yr · 10 institutions32%
- Master's degree50 graduates / yr · 8 institutions20%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship21 graduates / yr · 1 institution8.4%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate15 graduates / yr · 6 institutions6.0%
Graduates over time
Applied and Professional Ethics completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 57 |
| 2013 | 45 |
| 2014 | 33 |
| 2015 | 59 |
| 2016 | 52 |
| 2017 | 46 |
| 2018 | 50 |
| 2019 | 70 |
| 2020 | 125 |
| 2021 | 92 |
| 2022 | 148 |
| 2023 | 166 |
| 2024 | 227 |
| 2025 | 250 |
Top 27 institutions for Applied and Professional Ethics, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicBachelor's | 50 | 89% | — | $35,608 |
| 2 | St. Thomas University Miami Gardens, FLPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster'sBachelor's | 28 | 48% | $25,464 | — |
| 3 | Johnson University Knoxville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 27 | 57% | $19,333 | — |
| 4 | University of Louisville Louisville, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic yearMaster's | 25 | 61% | — | — |
| 5 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point Stevens Point, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 24 | 51% | — | $31,662 |
| 6 | Carnegie Mellon University Pittsburgh, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 12 | 94% | $23,803 | — |
| 7 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus Las Cruces, NMPublicBachelor's | 11 | 55% | — | — |
| 8 | Rowan University Glassboro, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 67% | — | — |
| 9 | William Paterson University of New Jersey Wayne, NJPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 44% | — | — |
| 10 | Florida Atlantic University Boca Raton, FLPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 6 | 63% | — | — |
| 11 | Case Western Reserve University Cleveland, OHPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 6 | 87% | $27,976 | — |
| 12 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Master's | 5 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 13 | University of Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicBachelor's | 5 | 38% | — | — |
| 14 | American University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 75% | $30,225 | — |
| 15 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | — | — | — |
| 16 | Ohio State University - Main Campus Columbus, OHPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 88% | — | $39,971 |
| 17 | Nazarene Bible College Colorado Springs, COPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 3 | — | — | — |
| 18 | Garrett - Evangelical Theological Seminary Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | — | — | — |
| 19 | Indiana University of Pennsylvania Indiana, PAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 3 | 56% | — | — |
| 20 | Epic Bible College & Graduate School Sacramento, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 0% | — | — |
| 21 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 91% | $21,126 | $47,345 |
| 22 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus Fargo, NDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 64% | — | — |
| 23 | Texas State University San Marcos, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 55% | — | $27,893 |
| 24 | North Central College Naperville, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 1 | 64% | $20,052 | — |
| 25 | Wayne State University Detroit, MIPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 58% | — | — |
| 26 | CUNY Queens College Queens, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 53% | — | — |
| 27 | Dakota State University Madison, SDPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 1 | 51% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Philosophy field (CIP 38.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 19 states
Where Applied and Professional Ethics graduates come from. Each state links to all Philosophy programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Maryland | 3 | 59 | University of Maryland - College Park50 / yr |
| Florida | 2 | 34 | St. Thomas University28 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 27 | Johnson University27 / yr |
| Kentucky | 1 | 25 | University of Louisville25 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 24 | University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point24 / yr |
| New Jersey | 2 | 18 | Rowan University9 / yr |
| Pennsylvania | 2 | 15 | Carnegie Mellon University12 / yr |
| New Mexico | 1 | 11 | New Mexico State University - Main Campus11 / yr |
| Ohio | 2 | 10 | Case Western Reserve University6 / yr |
| Illinois | 3 | 9 | Loyola University Chicago5 / yr |
| District of Columbia | 1 | 4 | American University4 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 3 | Nazarene Bible College3 / yr |
| California | 1 | 2 | Epic Bible College & Graduate School2 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 2 | Boston College2 / yr |
| North Dakota | 1 | 2 | North Dakota State University - Main Campus2 / yr |
| Texas | 1 | 2 | Texas State University2 / yr |
| Michigan | 1 | 1 | Wayne State University1 / yr |
| New York | 1 | 1 | CUNY Queens College1 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 1 | Dakota State University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 25-1126, Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Applied and Professional Ethics program can pursue careers as Philosophy and Religion Teachers at the postsecondary level. The job outlook for this field shows little or no change, with approximately 2,000 annual openings and a median wage of $78,050, typically requiring a doctoral or professional degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 38.0104
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondaryprimary SOC 25-1126 | $80,260 | +0.7% Little or no change | ~2,000 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Applied and Professional Ethics programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Evaluate and grade students' class work, assignments, and papers.
- Initiate, facilitate, and moderate classroom discussions.
- Prepare and deliver lectures to undergraduate or graduate students and the community on topics such as ethics, logic, and contemporary religious thought.
- Compile, administer, and grade examinations, or assign this work to others.
- Prepare course materials, such as syllabi, homework assignments, and handouts.
- Keep abreast of developments in the field by reading current literature, talking with colleagues, and participating in professional conferences.
Tools and technology used
Other Philosophy specializations
The 4 other 6-digit CIP codes under Philosophy (CIP 38.01).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Bachelor's degree, a Master's degree, or a Doctor's degree in Applied and Professional Ethics.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, active listening, writing, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a Philosophy and Religion Teacher or in various roles that require ethical decision-making.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook shows little or no change, with around 2,000 annual openings in related fields.
What is the CIP code for Applied and Professional Ethics?+
Applied and Professional Ethics is CIP 38.0104 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Philosophy (CIP 38.01). NCES defines it as: 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.
How many institutions offer Applied and Professional Ethics programs?+
27 U.S. institutions reported Applied and Professional Ethics graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 19 states, awarding 250 credentials in the year. That is 3.3% of all Philosophy graduates.
How much do Applied and Professional Ethics graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Philosophy and Religion Teachers, Postsecondary occupation, which Applied and Professional Ethics most directly leads to, pays a median of $80,260 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Philosophy field report median earnings of $35,608 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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