Ethics and Digital Technologies
CERT Ethics and Digital Technologies
Program Overview
The Certificate in Ethics and Digital Technologies is a graduate-level, humanities-based inquiry into the design, construction, and use of frontier technologies such as artificial intelligence/machine learning, virtual and augmented reality, data algorithms, robotics, gaming/simulation, and internet protocols.
Students will research known problems in technology ethics involving human and machine agency, surveillance and privacy, black box architecture, embodiment, consciousness, copyright and fair use, deepfakes, environmental impact, uneven resource distribution, and the future of work. The program uses hands-on opportunities with new technologies to give students a broad understanding of machine learning and immersive extended reality systems.
Distinctive offerings include Introduction to Artificial Intelligence and Philosophy, AI Ethics, Philosophy and Virtual Worlds, Ethics and Virtual Worlds, Machine Ethics, and the Capstone. There are no prerequisites and accomplished students from any field are welcome to apply.
This certificate program requires 12 hours to complete.
Course Work
Students will take three courses that interest them within the certificate concentration and the capstone course. In lieu of the capstone course, they may take a fourth course. While some courses are online asynchronous or in-person, most are online and synchronous. Some VR/AR coursework takes place inside virtual worlds. If students wish to take these particular courses, a recent VR headset is required.
Required courses:
- Philosophy of Technology
The directed elective must be chosen from:
- Philosophical Dimensions of Intelligent Machines and Human Work
- Philosophy and Ethics in Virtual Reality
- Philosophy and Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
- Philosophy of Data, Internet, and Society
- Ethics in Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality
- Machine Ethics
- Philosophy and Ethics of Virtual Beings
- Ethics of Care Robots
- Environmental Ethics and Artificial Intelligence
- Philosophy and Science Fiction
Program Details
Students explore the ethical and social complexities of AI and VR/AR technologies using experiential learning and philosophical inquiry.
Program Mission
To equip students with a comprehensive understanding of the ethical and social implications of emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, immersive and social technologies, and automation through philosophical inquiry and hands-on experiential learning.
Career Options
The Certificate in Ethics and Digital Technologies can give an edge in the pursuit of various career goals:
- AI Ethics Consultant
- Technology Policy Analyst
- Human-Computer Interaction Specialist
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager
- Digital Ethics Researcher
- AI Alignment and Safety Researcher
- Virtual Experience Designer in Education and/or Social Services
- Data Privacy Officer
- Tech Journalist or Analyst
- First step toward PhD in the Digital Humanities or related field
Program Faculty
Our distinguished faculty teach and publish in diverse areas including:
- Ethics of Artificial Intelligence
- Artificial Intelligence and Society
- Documenting Human Experiences of Technology
- Human-Computer Interaction
- Ethics and Politics of Manufacturing and Automation
- Culture, Gender, and New Technologies
- Social Media and Data Ethics
- Technology with Philosophy of Psychology and Neuroscience
- Metaphysics and Ethics of Virtual Worlds
- Simulation, Science, and Gaming
- Philosophy of Technology
- Philosophy of Engineering and Nanoscience
- Environmental Ethics with a Focus on New Technologies
Contact us for general questions about your application, funding opportunities, and more. If you have specific questions after reviewing the program details, contact the program's graduate advisor.
Graduate Advisor
Holly Lewis
hl18@txstate.edu
512.245.2285
Comal (CMAL), Room 102
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Application Deadlines
| Deadlines | U.S. Citizen | International |
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Deadlines Fall | U.S. Citizen June 15 (*Flexible) | International June 1 |
Deadlines Spring | U.S. Citizen October 15 (*Flexible) | International October 1 |
Deadlines Summer I | U.S. Citizen April 15 (*Flexible) | International March 15 |
Deadlines Summer II | U.S. Citizen June 1 (*Flexible) | International No Admission |
*This program’s deadline is flexible for those not requiring an F/J visa. A flexible deadline means applications received after the standard deadline may be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis with no guarantees for admission consideration.
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Decision Timeline This program reviews applications on a rolling basis. |
Admission Requirements
The items required for admission consideration are listed below. Additional information for applicants with international credentials can be found on our international web pages.
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Application
- Completed online application
Review important information about the online application.
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Application Fee
- $20 nonrefundable application fee
OR - $60 nonrefundable application fee for applications with international credentials
Review important information about application fees.
- $20 nonrefundable application fee
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Transcripts & GPA
- baccalaureate degree from a regionally accredited university (Non-U.S. degrees must be equivalent to a four-year U.S. Bachelor’s degree. In most cases, three-year degrees are not considered. Visit our International FAQs for more information.)
- a copy of an official transcript from each institution where course credit was granted
- a 3.3 overall GPA or a 3.3 GPA in your last 60 hours of undergraduate course work
- minimum 3.4 GPA in all completed graduate course work (if applicable)
Review important information about transcripts. Official transcripts, sent directly from your institution, will be required if admission is granted.
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Test Scores
GRE
- GRE not required
Approved English Proficiency Exam Scores
Applicants are required to submit an approved English proficiency exam score that meets the minimum program requirements below unless they have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher from a regionally accredited U.S. institution or the equivalent from a country on our exempt countries list.
- official TOEFL iBT scores required with a 78 overall
- official PTE scores required with a 52 overall
- official IELTS (academic) scores required with a 6.5 overall and
- minimum individual module scores of 6.0
- official Duolingo Scores required with a 110 overall
- official TOEFL Essentials scores required with an 8.5 overall
This program does not offer admission if the scores above are not met.
Review important information about official test scores.