Cultivation of Ethics and a Life of Meaning and Purpose

At SCU, students reflect on their roles as morally responsible members in their communities. Students identify areas needed for personal and professional growth through academic, career, and spiritual exploration and in so doing, cultivate a sense of mission and purpose. By combining ethical reasoning with vocational discernment, students develop the skills of mind, heart, and action that allow them to pursue meaningful personal and professional lives.

Ethics Across the Curriculum

All students complete a Core course in Ethics (Ethics in Public Health, Ethics in Business, Ethics and the Environment, just to name a few).
Across all disciplines, 78% of faculty report frequently or occasionally giving an assignment that requires students to discuss the ethical or moral implications of a course of action (HERI Faculty Survey, 2016-17).

80%

of seniors report that their SCU education contributed very much or quite a bit to their ability to make ethical decisions in professional situations and 79% agreed it contributed to their ability to make ethical decisions in personal situations (NSSE, 2018).

96%

of seniors strongly or somewhat agree that they can usually figure out what is ethical when they face a decision (HERI College Senior Survey, 2019).

Markkula Center for Applied Ethics

The Markkula Center for Applied Ethics (MCAE) is a key resource at SCU in the area of ethics. Students have the opportunity to serve as Hackworth Fellows during their sophomore or junior year.
The Center's ethics decision-making app guides students in asking good questions about ethical choices that help them arrive at thoughtful and reasoned decisions.

Co-Curricular Experiences

The Career Center offers support in vocational exploration and coaching on internships and employment opportunities.
Programs in study abroad, the Center for Student Involvement, Residence Life and Housing, Campus Ministry, among others, all help students cultivate a stronger sense of self and purpose.

90%

of seniors strongly or somewhat agree that their SCU education has prepared them with talents and strengths to live with joy, integrity, and balance (HERI College Senior Survey, 2019).