Download the complete Academic Program in Acrobat format

School of Bioethics Brochure 

Why a School of Bioethics?
With the rapid technological progress in biomedical sciences in recent decades, bioethics has become an academic discipline in its own right. Bioethics demands a working knowledge of diverse areas such as medicine, biology, law, philosophy and theology. For this reason a coordinated interdisciplinary approach is necessary.

Whereas specialists in any of these areas can provide helpful input, only those with a global bioethical formation can competently address complex ethical issues. An academic degree in Bioethics guarantees that those who wish to work in this field have the expertise needed to do so.

Who should be interested in Bioethics?
• Anyone interested in healthcare, the defense of human life and the ethical dimensions of biotechnology
• Young people who want to pursue a professional career in bioethics
• Doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers
• Pharmacists
• Priests, religious, catechists and teachers dedicated to proclaiming the “Gospel of Life”
• Lawyers, politicians, legislators, journalists and other professionals who deal with life issues
• Volunteers and all those engaged in the service of those in need: Women in difficulty, the poor, abandoned children, the unborn, the sick, the elderly and disabled persons

Why study in Rome?
Rome, the Eternal City, is not only the center of Catholicism and home to one of the most important artistic patrimonies of humankind, but it is also a privileged site of bioethics debate in the Catholic world.

Roman pontifical universities are the vanguard of Catholic thought, where deeper understanding and application to current bioethical problems are constantly sought under the light of the deposit of faith.

The School of Bioethics at Regina Apostolorum is the first in the world to offer the study of this discipline.  In an international setting, it offers its students the intellectual tools needed to engage themselves in bioethical debate and to enrich dialogue and research. 

Living in Rome allows one to combine the study of bioethics with close contact with the Holy Father, and at the same time puts one in touch with the roots of Western civilization through its precious artistic treasures.

Areas of formation
Given the interdisciplinary character of the bioethics curriculum at Regina Apostolorum and the broad range of its practical applications, studies are structured as follows:

• Introduction to the core subjects of Medicine, Biology, Philosophy, Law and Theology
• General Bioethics: The study of its history and foundational principles
• Specialized Bioethics: Analysis of principal problems (including genetic manipulation, cloning, artificial insemination, fetal diagnosis, organ transplants, euthanasia, environmental issues)
• Practical training: Hospital and clinical visits, first-hand experience by participating in Bioethics committees.

Our academic approach
The academic method employed for the study of these areas is characterized by an untiring search for truth founded on sure metaphysical and anthropological principles, solid scholarship and fidelity to the Magisterium of the Church.

Job opportunities
• Ethics committees of hospitals, healthcare facilities, pharmaceutical companies
• Professors, educators and writers of Bioethics 
• Bioethics centers
• National and international non-governmental organizations
• Catholic diocesan committees
• Pro-Life groups and other organizations dedicated to promoting and defending the dignity of human life.

Intensive courses
Weeklong intensive courses are offered four times a year, twice each semester.  Students in other degree programs can participate in these intensive courses and/or the summer courses to earn the credits required for a degree in bioethics.

Degrees offered
The School of Bioethics offers three degrees: Bachelor’s, Master’s and Doctorate.
• The Bachelor´s degree program lasts two years (four semesters) and offers foundational courses and seminars in five areas: General Bioethics, Medicine, Law, Philosophy and Theology.

• The Master’s degree lasts two years (four semesters). Along with further investigation into foundational bioethical principles, students engage in case analysis and applied research regarding specific bioethical issues.

• The Doctorate consists in personal research of a particular bioethical question, and the drafting of a doctoral dissertation which will offer an original contribution to the field.

Other areas of complementary studies
Other than the Schools of Bioethics, Theology and Philosophy, Regina Apostolorum offers a series of diplomas with specialization in Environmental sciences, Science and Faith, Psychology, Women’s Studies and Humanities, students enrolled in the School of Bioethics may take some of these courses as a part of their formation.

Diploma program
In addition to the three degree programs, the School of Bioethics offers a diploma course that is open to the public. This two-year program is designed for working professionals and students attending other academic institutions who desire to deepen their understanding of the principal bioethical issues facing the world in the light of Catholic moral teaching.

The program lasts four semesters and offers students fundamental bioethical principles, a history of Bioethics, the study of the major issues in Bioethics and applications in biomedical, biojuridical and pastoral fields.

Diploma students meet once a week on Thursday afternoons. At the end of the program, students who have submitted a written paper and have passed the exams will be awarded a Diploma in Bioethics.

Summer course
Every year around July, a 65-hour monothematic course will be held over a period of two weeks. The aim is to offer a deeper understanding of specific bioethical questions in light of the most recent scientific developments and their ethical implications.

For more information, contact
SCHOOL OF BIOETHICS
Pontifical Athenaeum Regina Apostolorum
Via degli Aldobrandeschi, 190
00163 Rome
ITALY

Tel: (39) (06) 66.52.78.00
Fax: (39) (06) 66.52.78.14
E-mail: bioethics@upra.org
Web site: www.upra.org