Master of Arts in
Applied Ethics & Policy
Science + Technology + Ethics + PolicyThe Duke Master of Arts in Applied Ethics & Policy program teaches students how to identify, analyze, and propose solutions to myriad complex issues at the intersection of science, technology, ethics, and policy.
The program offers two concentrations: Bioethics and Science PolicyTech Ethics and Innovation Policy
Explore the Ethical Issues and Policy Implications of the Technologies Shaping Human Life
As scientific discovery and technological innovation accelerate, organizations need leaders who can ensure that emerging technologies are developed, governed, and deployed responsibly. Duke’s Master of Arts in Applied Ethics & Policy prepares you to become one of those leaders. This interdisciplinary program equips you with the knowledge, analytic skills, and practical experience to help build a better future through responsible innovation. Whether you plan to work in healthcare, technology, business, or government, you will be positioned to navigate complex ethical challenges and influence policy to serve the public good.
Only Duke University Combines Bioethics, Tech Ethics, and Public Policy in One Program
While bioethics traditionally emerged from medicine and the life sciences, and tech ethics developed from computing and engineering, the two fields are now deeply interconnected. Many emerging technologies sit at the intersection of the biological and digital worlds. Some of today’s most challenging ethical questions arise in that space.
Bioethics and Tech Ethics address a common question: How should society implement powerful technologies that affect people’s well-being, shape human rights, and pose challenges to equity? They share foundational principles, increasingly address the same real-world problems, and converge in areas such as AI-enabled healthcare, genomics, neurotechnology, and digital medicine.
One Program. Two Concentrations.
Shape the Future of Patient Care and Biomedical Innovation
Duke’s Master of Arts in Applied Ethics & Policy with a concentration in Bioethics and Science Policy provides an interdisciplinary foundation in ethics, health law, and science policy, equipping graduates to address complex moral questions arising from advances in healthcare, biotechnology, and scientific research.
The Bioethics and Science Policy concentration offers the knowledge and skills required to shape practices and policies about biomedical research and patient care by contributing to ethics committees, advising policymakers, developing institutional guidelines, and helping ensure that scientific innovation is guided by ethical principles. The degree prepares graduates for careers in hospitals, academic institutions, government agencies, research organizations, pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies, and nonprofit organizations in roles such as clinical ethicist, research ethics specialist, policy analyst, or healthcare administrator.
Learn more about the Bioethics and Science Policy concentration
Lead The Future of Responsible Technology
Technology is changing the world at an unprecedented pace. The decisions made today will define how technology shapes society for decades to come. From artificial intelligence and cybersecurity to digital privacy and climate innovation, today’s biggest challenges require leaders who understand both technology and its impact on society.
Duke’s Master’s Degree in Applied Ethics & Policy with a concentration in Technology Ethics and Innovation Policy will prepare you to join the growing community of professionals committed to ensuring that innovation advances human well-being, promotes equity, and supports a more sustainable future. The interdisciplinary curriculum positions our graduates to be leaders in some of the most consequential and rapidly evolving fields of the 21st century. Whether your goal is influencing tech policy, guiding ethical corporate strategies, or advancing academic research, the Tech Ethics and Innovation Policy concentration provides the knowledge and practical skills to help get you there.
Learn more about the Tech Ethics and Innovation Policy concentration
Both bioethics and tech ethics examine:
- Human dignity
- Individual autonomy and informed consent
- Privacy and confidentiality
- Fairness and justice
- Risk and harm prevention
- Accountability and responsibility
- Social impacts of innovation
Bioethics and Tech Ethics Ask Similar Questions
Bioethics asks:
- How should patient data be protected?
- What constitutes informed consent in medical research?
- How should risks be balanced against benefits?
- Who is accountable for medical errors?
Tech ethics asks:
- How should user data be protected?
- What constitutes meaningful consent in data collection?
- How should risks of AI deployment be balanced against benefits?
- Who is accountable for algorithmic harm?
Technology is Transforming Healthcare
Modern medicine increasingly relies on:
- Artificial intelligence for diagnosis
- Machine learning for treatment recommendations
- Genetic sequencing and genomic databases
- Digital health records
- Wearable monitoring devices
- Brain-computer interfaces
- Robotic surgery
- Telemedicine platforms
Organizations need expertise to navigate complex issues. Consider:
- Hospitals deploying AI systems
- Biotechnology companies using machine learning
- Pharmaceutical firms managing large-scale patient data
- Governments regulating digital health technologies
- Research institutions conducting genomic research
- Medical device manufacturers developing connected devices
These innovations raise both bioethical and technological questions simultaneously.