Programs

The Interdisciplinary Center for Bioethics at Yale University offers educational programs throughout the year.

Foundations in Bioethics

This program is offered 1-2 times per year.  

At the conclusion of this part-time, virtual program, participants will be able to answer:

  • What are the most pressing issues in bioethics today (in the environment, research, law & policy, clinical ethics, and more)?
  • What is bioethics, and what is ethical theory?
  • What are the main principles, concepts, and common terms in bioethics?
  • What methods, frameworks, and arguments are commonly used in bioethics?
  • How might I utilize bioethics in my career?

For more information, please see the Foundations page.

Foundations of Animal Ethics

This program is offered once a year.  At the conclusion of this six-week, part-time, virtual program, participants will have gained exposure to:

  • A short introduction to ethical theory, grounded in its application to animal ethics;
  • The history, strengths, and objections to utilitarian, deontological, virtue, feminist, and care ethics, as they apply to animal ethics;
  • The history of bioethics and its contributions to animal ethics;
  • Principles, frameworks, arguments, and common terms within bioethics and animal ethics;
  • The major branches of bioethics, including research ethics, clinical ethics, law, policy, and public health, and how they are (and can be) applied to animal ethics;
  • An introduction to current, pressing animal ethics dilemmas;
  • A framework to design or evaluate a program, policy, or law about animals;
  • Ways in which program participants can become more involved in animal ethics through academic and professional associations, additional coursework and programs, participation within research, and other avenues.

For more information about our animal ethics programs, please visit the Animal Ethics program page.

Sherwin B. Nuland Summer Institute in Bioethics

The Summer Institute is a unique and cherished program.  The program is an intensive 6-week summer immersion for U.S. and international professionals and graduate students (with a select number of undergraduates) from varying disciplines. The program offers approximately 150-200 contact hours (depending on student preference).
 
There are limited spaces for those who can only attend a 3-week option. There are also flexible options for Summer Institute alumni to return and participate in seminars.
Attending this program requires prior attendance at one of our Foundations programs.
 
For more information, please see the Summer Institute page.
 

Clinical Ethics Training

On January 25, 2019, we offered a 1-day training for members of hospital ethics committees and others interested in ethical aspects of clinical medicine. We may offer this program on a biannual basis.

Participants:
  • Reviewed the core ethical responsibilities of individuals performing hospital ethics consultation, and how to fulfill them;
  • Learned and practiced methods of mediation that can be employed in a clinical ethics consultation;
  • Participated in simulations of ethics case consultations;
  • Chose from a variety of break-out sessions which shall include administration of ethics committees, latest findings on marginalized populations, the role of religion in ethics consults, and recent legal happenings impacting ethics consultations. 

For more information, please see the Clinical Ethics Training page.