Master of Philosophy in Applied Ethics

1. Programme Overview

With advancement in various fields, today’s society finds itself with an avalanche of ethical challenges which we have to deal with. There is increasing need to understand the ethical challenges that affect our society today. Changes in areas such as business, development, governance, technology, biotechnology, politics, and economics are exerting enormous pressure on the traditional ethical value systems not only in the public sphere but also in the private sphere. The kinds of changes that are taking place in our midst are of a fundamental nature which calls for dedicating resources to raise specially educated and trained persons in handling them. It is a moral duty of the present generation of scholars to train and equip future thinkers and practitioners with appropriate tools of research and praxis in tackling the various ethical challenges our society is and will encounter.

Current and future thinkers, business-people, scientists, teachers, leaders, policy makers and various professionals must enhance their capacity to analyse and take practical and applicable ethical decisions as they encounter the various ethical challenges. But in order to gain these skills of analysis and decision making, it requires a fairly good amount of time, hence the necessity for a fully-fledged programme. This reviewed programme is necessary because it will educate and train those enrolled on it with competencies of applied analysis and morally informed decision making on the practical challenges encountered in society.

2. Programme Objectives

  1. To explain the major ethical theories employed in the study of applied ethics.
  2. To assess the various strategies of implementing ethics.
  3. To critically examine the challenges and dilemmas encountered in the resolution of moral issues
  4. To critically identify the various ethical issues encountered in the different areas of society.

3. Programme Outcomes

At the end of the programme, the graduates will be able to

  1. Explain the major ethical theories employed in the study of applied ethics.
  2. Assess the various strategies of implementing ethics.
  • Critically examine the challenges and dilemmas encountered in the resolution of moral issues
  1. Critically identify the various ethical issues encountered in the different areas of society.

4. Employment Prospects

The graduate of this programme can be employed, among others, in the following institutions:

  • Government ministries, departments and agencies like (The Directorate for Ethics and Integrity; Inspectorate of Government; ministry of Gender, Labour and Social Development; Ministry of Internal Affairs; Ministry of Foreign Affairs)
  • International and national humanitarian service (such as handling refugees, displaced persons, etc)
  • International Bodies (such as Red Cross, UNESCO, UNHCR, UNICEF, WFP etc)
  • Local government administration
  • Uganda prisons service
  • Uganda Police Force
  • Uganda People’s Defence forces
  • Civil Society Organisations
  • Higher academic institutions as lecturers
  • Public relations
  • Media organisations
  • Politics

3. Nature of the Programme

This programme will have two options – day and evening.

4. Target Group

Being an applied ethics programme, it targets graduates of any of the bachelor’s degree programmes from a chartered university.

5. Duration

The duration of the Masters of Philosophy in Applied Ethics will be two academic years each consisting of two academic semesters. The first year will be for course works and written examinations while the second year will be for research and dissertation writing.

6. Designation of the Award

Successful candidates will be awarded a degree of Masters of Philosophy in Applied Ethics.

7. Tuition fees

The Tuition for Ugandans and East Africans generally will pay UGX 5,650,000 (Five Million, six Hundred fifty thousand Ugandan Shillings only) per annum, while the international students will pay UGX 7,000,000/= (Seven million Ugandan Shillings only) per annum.

8. Admission Requirements

Admission requirements for this programme shall be any Bachelor’s degree of at least lower second-class division from a chartered University or Institution.