IRVING, Texas (Sept. 15, 2025) – The Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts at the University of Dallas is proud to announce the launch of a new Graduate Certificate in Bioethics, developed in partnership with the National Catholic Bioethics Center (NCBC). This program offers students a rigorous education in ethical reasoning at the intersection of medicine, philosophy, and theology, preparing graduates to address pressing questions in healthcare today.
The 10-credit certificate program combines seminars and courses taught by both UDallas faculty and NCBC ethicists. The curriculum includes a two-day graduate seminar hosted by the NCBC, a semester-long course in bioethics taught by UDallas faculty, an intensive two-week graduate course led by NCBC experts on UDallas’ campus, and one elective drawn from a range of graduate-level courses in philosophy, politics, psychology, and theology. Together, these offerings equip students with the intellectual foundation to navigate the moral complexities of contemporary healthcare.
The Graduate Certificate in Bioethics is designed for multiple audiences: UDallas students preparing for careers in medicine, research, or bioethics; professionals seeking to enhance their credentials for roles in hospital ethics committees; and physicians or clinicians interested in deepening their ethical formation. Certificate credits are also transferable to the University of Mary’s Master of Science in Bioethics, creating a pathway for further graduate study.
As part of the program, the University of Dallas will host the NCBC Graduate Seminar in Bioethics on Sept. 20–21, 2025, at its Irving campus. This intensive seminar, led by NCBC ethicists, provides a foundation in key bioethical principles and current issues in medicine. Participants may register here: [need URL].
“I’m excited that UD will be offering this high-level education in Catholic bioethics to form students who will become the next generation of professionals on the front lines of health care,” said Dr. Irene Alexander, associate professor of theology and program director. “This program of studies ensures that decisions affecting the dignity of the human person in medicine will be made with wisdom, prudence, and above all, the love of Christ.”
Applications for the Graduate Certificate in Bioethics are now open, with courses beginning in Fall. The program is offered in flexible formats to accommodate both full-time students and working professionals.
About the Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts
The Braniff Graduate School of Liberal Arts at the University of Dallas offers a distinctive range of master’s and doctoral programs in the liberal arts, philosophy, politics, and the humanities, all rooted in the Western intellectual tradition and UD’s Catholic mission. Located in Irving, Texas, Braniff provides a vibrant academic community for students committed to pursuing truth, wisdom, and virtue in service to the common good. For more information, visit udallas.edu/braniff.