What are ethics, and why are they important to learn about?

Ethics is the system of principles that determine whether the behavior of a person or organization is right or wrong from the perspective of morality and society. An understanding of ethics is important in our personal lives as well as in business and public life, where ethical leadership can inspire and motivate your team - and unethical actions can permanently tarnish the way you or your company is perceived, or even have legal repercussions. While fundamental principles of ethics have been a subject of moral philosophy since the days of Aristotle, the modern era has led to countless questions about the ethical use of new technologies. For instance, the convergence of the internet, social media, and data science has made privacy and the proper use of individuals’ data an important subject for business ethics. Similarly, many technologists have expressed concern that unethical forms of artificial intelligence (AI) could have harmful consequences for society.

What kinds of careers can I have with a background in ethics?

Strong principles of business ethics and an understanding of the power of ethical leadership can be an asset for any career in management. Many people want to work for companies that are helping to make positive change in the world - and very few want to work for or with an actively unethical organization. Being able to give voice to values and establishing yourself as an ethical leader can help attract and retain top talent as well as align and motivate your team to success. As our society becomes more and more dependent on the internet and artificial intelligence (AI), the ethics of the development, deployment, and use of these emerging technologies is becoming a critical subject of discussion in universities and tech companies around the world. Data scientists and AI engineers are thus increasingly expected to have a background in the potential ethical issues surrounding their work. According to Glassdoor , AI Engineers earn an average annual salary of $114,121.

Can I learn about ethics by taking online courses on Coursera?

Yes. Whether you want to learn about ethics from a personal or philosophical interest or to inform your career, Coursera offers a range of courses to fit your needs. You can learn remotely from top-ranked institutions from around the world, including Yale University, University of Michigan, the University of Virginia, the University of Lausanne, and the University of Amsterdam, all for a significantly lower tuition than on-campus students. You can even get a professional certificate in the ethics of technology through Coursera and CertNexus, giving you a valuable credential for careers in tech.

What skills or experience do I need to already have, before starting to learn ethics?

Good reading skills are typically the main skill you need to have before starting to study ethics. This is because the concepts can be complex and cases studies can contain a number of details to consider. Compassion for others can be useful because it might help you to consider how others would feel in a given situation. Critical thinking skills can also typically help you when learning about ethics. A background in philosophy can support the ethics topics you may choose to study. Business courses may also provide some background that you can quickly apply to topics you study in the field of ethics.

What kind of people are best suited for roles in ethics?

People who care more about doing what’s right than they care about making popular decisions are typically best suited for roles in ethics. These are often people who show respect for others even if they don’t agree with them, and people who treat others fairly without showing any type of bias. People who are honest and who lead by example are also often well suited to ethics roles. These may be people who enjoy exploring historical events or who study business areas like international trade, in which companies can make unethical blunders based on lack of knowledge about local customs or environmental issues.

What are common career paths for someone in ethics?

Some common career paths for someone in ethics include the health field and the legal field. These fields typically require people who have a high level of ethics due to the complexity of cases and the amount of privacy regulations involved. Education and research are two fields that can provide career paths for someone who studies ethics. Compliance specialists and ethics managers are two more paths that typically fall under the ethics topic. Ethics analysts and social services case workers also generally require a solid understanding of ethics.

What types of places hire people with a background in ethics?

Public service agencies and charitable organizations typically hire people who understand and practice ethics. Additionally, companies that engage in international trade and that need business management professionals can sometimes specifically seek out corporate social responsibility professionals to support ethical business practices. Tech companies like AI developers can hire ethics professionals. Additionally, marketing firms and accounting firms can seek out employees who have ethics training.

What are the benefits of taking an online Ethics course?

Online Ethics courses offer a convenient and flexible way to enhance your knowledge or learn new Ethics skills. Choose from a wide range of Ethics courses offered by top universities and industry leaders tailored to various skill levels.

What Ethics courses are best for training and upskilling employees or the workforce?

When looking to enhance your workforce's skills in Ethics, it's crucial to select a course that aligns with their current abilities and learning objectives. Our Skills Dashboard is an invaluable tool for identifying skill gaps and choosing the most appropriate course for effective upskilling. For a comprehensive understanding of how our courses can benefit your employees, explore the enterprise solutions we offer. Discover more about our tailored programs at Coursera for Business here .

Top Ethics Courses - Learn Ethics Online

Explore the Ethics Course Catalog

University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Financial Management
Skills you'll gain: Mergers & Acquisitions, Working Capital, Revenue Recognition, Financial Statements, Credit Risk, Accrual Accounting, Financial Analysis, Investments, Corporate Finance, Business Valuation, Financial Statement Analysis, Cash Flows, Accounting Records, Financial Accounting, Financial Management, Income Statement, Accounting, Business Ethics, Finance, Portfolio Management
Build toward a degree
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
6.7K reviews
Intermediate · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
CertNexus
CertNexus Certified Ethical Emerging Technologist
Skills you'll gain: Crisis Management, Data Ethics, Governance, Business Ethics, Strategic Leadership, Corporate Communications, Media Relations, Strategic Thinking, Communication Strategies, Business Leadership, Accountability, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Emerging Technologies, Organizational Leadership, Public Relations, Risk Management, Operational Risk, Scheduling, Learning Strategies, Test Planning
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
547 reviews
Beginner · Professional Certificate · 3 - 6 Months
Google
Put It to Work: Prepare for Cybersecurity Jobs
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, Incident Response, Security Awareness, Computer Security Incident Management, Incident Management, Cybersecurity, Security Management, Computer Security Awareness Training, Cyber Security Policies, Artificial Intelligence, Technical Communication
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
4.5K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Pennsylvania
AI For Business
Skills you'll gain: Generative AI, Data Ethics, HR Tech, Data Governance, Big Data, Machine Learning, Data Security, Governance, Business Strategy, Human Resources, Organizational Strategy, Credit Risk, Business Transformation, Risk Management, Tensorflow, Personalized Service, Digital Transformation, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Artificial Intelligence
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
1.2K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months
Johns Hopkins University
The Ethical Leader
Skills you'll gain: Business Ethics, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Diversity and Inclusion, Team Leadership, Artificial Intelligence, Decision Making, Leadership, Cultural Diversity, Leadership Development, Analysis
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
8 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Google
Foundations of Data Science
Skills you'll gain: Data Storytelling, Data Ethics, Data Analysis, Workflow Management, Data-Driven Decision-Making, Analytical Skills, Data Science, Communication, Business, Business Intelligence, Project Management, Stakeholder Communications, Professional Networking
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
3K reviews
Advanced · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Colorado Boulder
Ethical Decision Making for Success in the Tech Industry
Skills you'll gain: Courage, Business Ethics, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Professionalism, Decision Making, Technical Management, Engineering Management, Personal Integrity, Strategic Decision-Making, Leadership
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
50 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
London Business School
Business for Good: Fundamentals of Corporate Responsibility
Skills you'll gain: Corporate Sustainability, Environmental Social And Corporate Governance (ESG), Sustainability Reporting, Business Ethics, Leadership Studies, Environmental Resource Management, Business Strategy, Business Transformation, Stakeholder Management, Decision Making, Performance Measurement, Influencing, Innovation
4.7
Rating, 4.7 out of 5 stars
41 reviews
Intermediate · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Universiteit Leiden
De-Mystifying Mindfulness
Skills you'll gain: Self-Awareness, Mental Health Therapies, Personal Development, Open Mindset, Mental Health, Social Justice, Mental Concentration, Psychology, Stress Management, Social Sciences, Cultural Diversity, Environment and Resource Management, Trauma Care, Ethical Standards And Conduct
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
1.6K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Leading Teams: Developing as a Leader
Skills you'll gain: Conflict Management, Leadership Development, Strategic Leadership, Decision Making, Emotional Intelligence, Business Ethics, Leadership, Courage, Self-Awareness, Relationship Building, Personal Development, Lifelong Learning, Professional Development, Leadership and Management, Negotiation, Growth Mindedness, People Development, Curiosity
Build toward a degree
4.8
Rating, 4.8 out of 5 stars
6.2K reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 3 Months
Status: Free
Kennesaw State University
Ethical AI Use
Skills you'll gain: Data Ethics, ChatGPT, OpenAI, Generative AI, Ethical Standards And Conduct, Artificial Intelligence, Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML), Natural Language Processing
4.9
Rating, 4.9 out of 5 stars
7 reviews
Beginner · Course · 1 - 4 Weeks
The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
Business English for Non-Native Speakers
Skills you'll gain: Business Writing, Business Correspondence, Interviewing Skills, Business Communication, Business Ethics, Data Visualization, Presentations, Target Audience, Report Writing, Writing, Business Analysis, Analysis, Communication, Communication Strategies, Verbal Communication Skills, Intercultural Competence, Public Speaking, Concision, Cultural Diversity, Persuasive Communication
4.5
Rating, 4.5 out of 5 stars
2.5K reviews
Beginner · Specialization · 3 - 6 Months