Written By
Brenda Decker
Senior Digital Content Specialist,
Grand Canyon Education
Ethics in engineering ensures safety, fairness and responsibility in designing solutions. Engineers must prioritize public welfare, sustainability and honesty, as their decisions impact lives, communities and the environment.
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National Society of Professional Engineers. (n.d.). Code of Ethics. Retrieved June 6, 2025.
Approved and verified accurate by the Associate Dean of the College of Engineering and Technology on July 24, 2025.
The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author’s and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Grand Canyon University. Any sources cited were accurate as of the publish date.
Ethics in engineering are the principles and standards that guide engineers to approach their work with fairness.
Kryk shares that in today’s context, the core of engineering ethics hasn’t changed — it’s still about keeping people safe and delivering results that last. However, in an era where technology evolves rapidly and engineers shape the future, the role of ethics in engineering has never been more critical.
At Grand Canyon University, ethical considerations are deeply embedded in the engineering curriculum, helping graduates not only excel technically but also uphold moral integrity in their professional endeavors.
How do you teach students to identify and navigate ethical gray areas in engineering?
Steven Kryk: “Rather than ask the student which decision they would make in that scenario, I prefer to have the students list some possible outcomes if they make one decision versus another decision. This will help the students put decisions such as these into perspective when they face a similar scenario in the future. I also like to shift the focus from an individual assignment to a team assignment, where some team members play the role of the alternative perspective to more closely represent a realistic environment.”
Dina Higgins: “I would encourage them to discuss this pressure with their manager and follow their chain of command. They may find that this pressure to ignore ethical concerns is not an organizational pressure. By following the NSPE code of ethics, they will start off from a good perspective.”
What do you wish more people understood about the ethical responsibilities of engineers?
Steven Kryk: “How frequently ethical decisions are made. Engineering is inherently an ethical field. A bridge or algorithm is not neutral — it reflects the values of its creators. Public trust hinges on engineers prioritizing safety and quality."
Dina Higgins: “Engineers don’t just design and manufacture products. They have to think about how products are used or could be used, what will happen at the end of the product life, how it may affect the environment and a host of other factors.”
Through initiatives like the Center for Cybersecurity Education (CCE), GCU provides students with access to tools and technologies that promote ethical hacking practices. This approach helps ensure that students and professionals develop the skills necessary to protect networks ethically, contributing positively to the broader community.
“The successful functioning of our society is dependent on trust in engineers. Failures in engineering — collapsed bridges, buildings or planes — shake public trust. As educators, we must prepare engineers to carry that weight responsibly.”
— Steven Kryk, GCU engineering instructor
“Engineers often act as the liaison between workers and management. Even if safety isn’t in your job description, you still have the authority — and responsibility — to advocate for ethical practices.”
— Steven Kryk, GCU engineering instructor
Professional ethics for engineers encompasses the moral obligations and specialized responsibilities engineers hold toward society, the environment and their profession. With advancements in artificial intelligence, biotechnology and data analytics, engineers are frequently at the forefront of decisions that have profound societal impacts. GCU emphasizes that ethical considerations are not peripheral but central to engineering practice.
 | “Ethical decisions are made far more often than people realize. Engineering is inherently an ethical field." — Steven Kryk, GCU engineering instructor |
Imagine an engineer is faced with a tough decision: A client proposes saving money by opting for materials with a questionable track record. Although the cheaper option may meet basic requirements, recent studies suggest it may degrade faster and pose safety concerns down the line.
In this situation, a responsible engineer must advocate for materials that uphold safety standards, ensure long-term project success and prioritize the well-being of the public who will use the structure.
“Engineers have a responsibility to speak out within the guidelines given in the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics for Engineers.” — Dina Higgins, GCU mechanical engineering area chair |  |
GCU faculty members are deeply invested in instilling ethical principles within their students. For instance, the university's Ethical Positions Statement underscores the importance of affirming moral truth in a loving and merciful way, aiming to build up rather than tear down through harsh judgment.
The NSPE Engineering Code of Ethics are the standard that the NSPE has put into place to hold future engineers accountable to work with integrity and respect.
This philosophy among engineering faculty permeates the engineering programs at GCU, where students are encouraged to engage in meaningful discussions that integrate faith into their field of study. Such an environment fosters collaboration and inquiry-based learning, preparing students to make ethical decisions in their professional lives.
Dr. Michael De Gregorio, assistant dean of engineering and KEEN engineering unleashed fellow, emphasizes the importance of aligning engineering education with industry needs and ethical considerations. He notes that GCU actively seeks feedback from industry advisory boards to ensure that the curriculum remains relevant and ethically grounded. For instance, the introduction of the mechatronics program was a direct response to industry input, aiming to produce graduates who are "plug-and-play on their first day on the job.”
Dr. De Gregorio also highlights the integration of entrepreneurial thinking into engineering education, encouraging students to consider the broader societal impact of their work. This approach fosters a mindset where ethical considerations are not an afterthought but a fundamental aspect of the engineering process.
Lead Ethically in Engineering
At GCU, you can build your skills to stand out in the engineering world.
What specifically is GCU doing to instill ethics in engineering?
Steven Kryk: “The senior capstone project in the engineering department features a collaboration with other departments, which broadens students’ understanding of ethical decision-making, as this will be the first time the teams will have to make ethical engineering decisions in a business context rather than a school context. Many of the projects instill ethics in engineering through the incorporation of community projects, such as designing assistive technologies for local disability organizations.”
Dina Higgins: “We discuss historical or recent engineering cases, like the Challenger explosion, and how political pressures influenced decision-making. We discuss misleading claims about sustainability. The VW emissions scandal. The GM ignition switch debacle. GCU comes from a Christian worldview, which gives the student a solid foundation to work from.”
Ethical engineers don’t just solve problems — they consider the long-term impact of their work on people, communities and the planet. Preparing future engineers means teaching them to lead with integrity, prioritize public safety and make decisions rooted in responsibility.
Sustainability is one key area where ethics comes into play. Future engineers can make a difference by:
Ethics isn’t just a topic in the classroom — it’s a mindset that shapes the future of the profession.
GCU's approach to engineering education is holistic, emphasizing not only technical proficiency but also ethical integrity. By integrating these ethical efforts and considerations into every aspect of the curriculum, Kryk, Higgins and other GCU engineering faculty help prepare students to navigate the moral complexities of the modern engineering landscape.
As technology continues to advance, the importance of ethics in engineering will only grow. GCU remains committed to producing professional ethics for engineers who are not only skilled but also principled, ready to lead and serve in their professions with integrity.
Ethical engineering goes beyond individual projects — it has a lasting global impact. Engineers who lead with integrity help protect public safety, build trust with communities and uphold the profession’s reputation.
This means being honest about conflicts of interest, taking on work only when qualified to do so, reporting unethical behavior and giving credit where it’s due. These choices shape not only careers but also the future of engineering as a respected and responsible field.
Why do you believe ethical decision-making is such a critical part of engineering education?
Steven Kryk: “Ethical decision-making is a critical part of engineering education because the field of engineering uniquely involves designing products and systems which can result in harm, or in extreme cases, death for innocent users, bystanders and the local community.”
Dina Higgins: “If you think about it, everything that we come in contact with on a daily basis had an engineer involved at some point. The preamble below covers the need for the ‘highest principles of ethical conduct.’ As a licensed professional engineer for over 30 years, a member of NSPE, and a born-again Christian, I feel it is important to address and discuss ethics in engineering from a Christian worldview.”
Kryk and Higgins support GCU’s commitment to ethical education, and it shows in our curriculum. They integrate technical instruction with moral reasoning and provide opportunities to engage in open discussions about current issues through a Christian worldview.
In this section, GCU faculty share their insights and answer pressing questions about how ethics can be meaningfully embedded into engineering education from the perspective of those teaching it every day.