Western’s new master of applied ethics helps turn values into action

Finding work that pays the bills is one thing. Finding work that reflects your values, contributes to your community, and provides a meaningful livelihood can be something else entirely.

A new graduate program at Western Colorado University aims to help students bring those ambitions together, combining the study of philosophy with practical experience in community engagement, ethical decision-making, and social entrepreneurship.

Western's new Master of Applied Ethics (MAE) is a 15-month, low-residency program designed for students from any undergraduate discipline who want to apply ethical principles to real-world challenges while building careers and communities that reflect their values.

Program Director Dr. John Hausdoerffer, a professor of environmental ethics and founding dean of Western's Clark Family School of Environment and Sustainability, describes the degree as “a workshop for people trying to align their livelihood with their values.”

The program grew partly out of conversations with former students who found themselves facing a familiar dilemma. Some had established successful careers doing work they didn't particularly believe in. Others had found meaningful work but struggled to make a living doing it.

The MAE is designed to help students find a way to do both.

Students begin by exploring some of philosophy's oldest questions through the work of classical philosophers alongside Indigenous, post-colonial, and environmental thinkers. Then they move into what Hausdoerffer calls praxis, or putting ideas into action.

Through applied projects with community organizations, local governments, and businesses, students learn to bring ethical perspectives to contemporary challenges while helping build resilient communities.

The curriculum also incorporates social entrepreneurship, encouraging students to consider how they might create meaningful professional opportunities that don't yet exist.

At a time when artificial intelligence is transforming the workplace, Hausdoerffer deeply believes human qualities like curiosity, creativity, empathy, and sound judgment will become increasingly valuable. And many of the questions surrounding emerging technologies about knowledge, responsibility, and decision-making are fundamentally philosophical.

The MAE aims to prepare students to participate in those conversations and put their values to work.

Hausdoerffer will host a remote, informational discussion about the Master of Applied Ethics on Wednesday, November 11, at 5 p.m. For more information or a Zoom link, contact maethics@western.edu.