Medical Ethics

professor speaking to a class of students

Medical Ethics Consultation Certification

As medical technology has advanced in recent years, treatment decisions have become increasingly difficult. Physicians, nurses, attorneys, social workers, accountants, and pastors are called upon to help families and individuals make hard choices. The medical ethics consultation certification prepares students majoring in a wide range of disciplines to serve effectively when medical decisions are needed to be made.

On this page Overview Graduate Outcomes Programs / Features Faculty Contact

Program Overview

The certification program develops biblical ethical principles, considers legal and counseling best practices when working with individuals and groups (such as ethics committees), and incorporates role-playing events to hone consultation skills. With close cooperation between Covenant’s biology (pre-med), psychology, and philosophy professors and students, the program prepares graduates to serve as effective ethics consultants and educators as medical professionals, social workers, and church leaders.

male and female students talking at a table in a library

female student presenting to class of students

Graduate Outcomes

Students who complete this certification see many professional and personal benefits, including:

Enhancement to a medical school application
Qualification to serve as a volunteer on a hospital ethics committee with or without a medical degree
Biblical supplement to standard secular medical school ethics training
Preparation for pastoral care in medical crises beyond typical seminary education
Equipped to give confident advice to fellow church members facing difficult medical decisions

Knowing both God’s law and medical realities is crucial to offering sound ethical advice when medical choices must be made. Christians must be ready to help.

Dr. Bill Davis

Professor of Philosophy

Programs & Features

Students pursuing the medical ethics consultation certificate may major in any discipline and use some of the courses in their major to fill out the certificate’s elective requirements. All students in the program must take the following courses:

Bioethics
Nutrition (or another biology course, with approval)
Lifespan Development (psychology)
Practicum in Medical Ethics Consultation

View Requirements

Every student in the program works directly with medical ethics professionals as part of their training. The program has a formal relationship with Memorial Hospital, Chattanooga, one of the national leaders in ethics education and clinical practice. Every student sees the real world significance of their academic preparation for ethics consultation as part of a structured relationship with professional ethicists

“Explaining the Ethical Basis for Hospital Policies for Allocating Ventilators during the COVID-19 Pandemic”
“Preparing Your Church to Understand How Ventilators Will be Allocated if Demand Exceeds Supply”

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