Certificate in Oncology Ethics

In ethics education there is a distinction between learning about ethics and learning to do ethics. Of course, every good ethicist needs
to learn both. However, the focus of the certificate program will be on the latter. That is, this course will emphasize the necessary practical skills to competently identify and navigate ethical conflicts and uncertainty that commonly arise in the clinical setting. 

Just as in medicine, clinical ethics has recognizable case “types.” For example, the patient who refuses care or requests non-beneficial
treatment. These case-types arise fairly frequently and constitute the bulk of clinical ethics consultations. The goal of the certificate program is to introduce the most common case types that arise in oncology and provide learners with the knowledge and skills to competently identify and navigate their most typical instantiations.

Clinical ethics is also like medicine in that cases ought to be approached systematically. Systematicity reduces errors and biases and
ensures that like cases are treated alike. Hence, rather than appealing to gut feelings, students learn a rigorous systematic method for evaluating cases. Relatedly, just as medical judgments and recommendations require appeal to justification, so too in clinical ethics. However, the currency of clinical ethics justification is different since it has to do with value and principles rather than scientific evidence. Hence, students must be able to identify and articulate when these values and principles are present, when they conflict,
and how to reconcile them.

Throughout the program, participants will engage with thought-provoking content, collaborate with experienced faculty and participate in interactive discussions to enhance understanding of ethical challenges in the oncology setting. 

Upon completion of the certificate program, participants will:

• Develop practical competence in identifying, analyzing, and navigating common ethical case types in oncology.
• Master a systematic method for evaluating ethical cases that reduces cognitive errors and biases.
• Identify and articulate ethical principles and values, recognize when they conflict, and apply them to recommend appropriate courses of action.
• Develop communication skills necessary for effective ethical consultation and team leadership. 
• Serve as ethical resources and leaders within their clinical teams and organizations.

Designed for working health care professionals, this program can be completed fully online.

Leaners will be required to complete short pre-reading assignments before participating in weekly live case-based learning with
faculty from the Center for Clinical Ethics in Cancer Care.

Discussions will be held from 5-6:40 p.m. CST every Tuesday via Zoom..

Module 1: Introduction to Clinical Ethics and Informed Consent

• Week 1: Introduction to ethical theory and the four principles
• Week 2: Clinical indication: Beneficence and non-maleficence
• Week 3: Patient autonomy and informed consent I
• Week 4: Patient autonomy and informed consent II

Module 2: Ethics of 3rd Party Involvement and Surrogate Decision-Making

• Week 1: Surrogate decision-making I
• Week 2: Surrogate decision-making II
• Week 3: Supported decision-making and psychiatric Illness
• Week 4: 3rd Party interests and the limits confidentiality and privacy

Module 3: Ethical Issues at the End of Life

• Week 1: Medical futility and non-beneficial treatment I
• Week 2: Medical futility and non-beneficial treatment II
• Week 3: Ethics of medical aid in dying (MAiD)
• Week 4: Ethics of communication: talking about death and delivering bad news

Module 4: Social and Justice Issues

• Week 1: The non-adherent patient
• Week 2: Ethical issues in difficult discharge
• Week 3: The ethics of restraints and treating incarcerated patients
• Week 4: Addressing medical error causing harm

Module 5: Electives (Choose one of the following):

• Choice 1: Ethics of AI in Healthcare
• Choice 2: Pediatric Ethics
• Choice 3: Nursing Ethics

Capstone Project: July-Oct

The capstone project is the culminating assignment of the Certificate in Oncology Ethics Program. It asks you to bring together the
analytical frameworks, normative reasoning skills, and communication strategies you have developed throughout the course and apply them to a real problem in your clinical practice.

You have two options. A training guide for a common ethical issue that arises in your service area or a case study drawn from your personal clinical experience. Choose the one that best fits your clinical experience, your professional role, and how you learn best.

The certificate program is open to health care professionals from all disciplines and backgrounds. It runs annually from February through the end of June excluding time spent on the capstone project. 

Discussion sessions: Students are expected to do prereading assignments. Classes are primarily discussion-based, therefore, to
complete the certificate participants much attend at least 80% of the live sessions.

Applications open in the preceding fall, typically in October. Selected participants will be notified in January. MD Anderson faculty, staff and Cancer Network partners are exempt from tuition fees. All other participants are required to pay tuition of $4,000 prior to the program start date.

View additional application information.

Registration opens: October 05, 2026

Registration closes: November 13, 2026