Ethics
Certificate in Health Care Ethics
Program Description
"Ethics" connotes the realm of values inherent in human social existence. As a theoretical enterprise it comprises one of the primary areas of philosopy and in the practical, applied area it denotes the standard of comportment toward which all professionals are expected to strive. In the history of western ethical theory three primary questions characterize the various attempts to construct a satisfactory theory of ethics. They are: "what should I do?", "how should I live?" and "what kind of person should I be?". Which question is asked at any time determines the way in which ethics comes to be conceived.
A correlative set of questions defines the realm of ethics in the health care professions: "what is my professional duty?", "how should I comport myself as a professional?" and "what kind of person qua professional should I be?". These questions may be considered questions of "knowing", "doing" and "being", respectively; questions of supreme importance philosophically, personally and professionally. It is the posing of these questions that forms the substance of the Certificate in Health Care Ethics. People pursuing this certificate will engage these questions in one form or another, from the most theoretical, philosophical attempts to answer them to the clinically immediate and inter-professional concerns of administering health care.
In health care, multiple perspectives arise due to the necessity of coordinating many different professions, each with different duties and responsibilities. As a result, professionals often find themselves attempting to juggle competing ethical demands. It is therefore imperative that ethical judgements be justified on grounds that can be understood by all participants. Such judgements require both knowledge and wisdom. Technical and professional knowledge are necessary but not sufficient for sound ethical decision making. Beyond them lies the realm of values. It is this study that adds the necessary other dimension that is required in ethics and that this certificate is meant to supply.
In ethics the theoretical, intellectual and practical domains of human life come together. Through study of the theory and practive of ethical decision making, the Certificate in Health Care Ethics will help to maximize one's ability to make sound ethical judgements and decisions.
The goals of the program are two: 1. Provide the practitioner with the knowledge and skills required to understand ethical problems and to be able to address them appropriately. 2. Give the practitioner the necessary conceptual equipment to enter effectively into the ethical discourse of the health professions.
The Linfield Portland Campus is located in NW Portland on the Good Samaritan campus. The people pursuing the certificate will be attending courses which are designed for the undergraduates who are pursing the minor in Health Care Ethics. All courses for this certificate will be offered in 3-hour blocks, once a week (excepting 1 credit hour courses). Although the certificate could be completed in one year, it is expected that 3 or 4 semesters is a more reasonable expectation for working people.
For an application for admission to the program contact:
Office of Enrollment Services
Linfield College, Portland Campus
2215 NW Northrup St.
Portland, OR 97210
(503) 413-8481
or download the application form and mail it to the address above.
For answers to some frequently asked questions, read the