Chaminade University to Launch Ethics & Leadership Major in Fall 2027

Chaminade University of Honolulu is introducing a Bachelor of Arts in Ethics & Leadership degree through the College of Arts & Sciences, chaminade.edu reported.

The new undergraduate program will officially launch in Fall 2027, though the university is currently accepting applications. The degree pairs business operations coursework with philosophy and religious studies. It aims to train students to operate businesses in ways that benefit society.

College of Arts & Sciences co-Dean Cheryl Edelson said the unique program trains leaders to put people first. “Understanding the human-first approach to all things makes a difference,” she said.

The curriculum combines traditional business subjects like management, marketing, accounting, and finance with coursework in philosophy, theology, ethics, and environmental responsibility. According to catalog.chaminade.edu, students examine religious and philosophical frameworks while building practical skills in organizational behavior and decision-making.

The program also requires an internship to give students practical experience before graduation. College officials designed the major to pair easily with other fields of study. Students can pursue an Ethics & Leadership major alongside a second major, such as Marine & Oceanic Sustainability.

Associate Professor Dustyn Ragasa, Ph.D., said the new major aligns with the intellectual heritage of a Catholic university. “We want our graduates to be agents for good,” Ragasa said.

The degree prepares graduates for careers in business management, nonprofit management, charity work, and politics. The program culminates in professional development through a capstone experience and seminars led by ethical leadership practitioners from Hawai‘i’s business community.