Course features

Ethics and Leadership is a self-paced online course developed by Professor David Whetham, designed to equip professionals with the tools to lead ethically in challenging environments. Whether you are a military officer, policymaker, or professional interested in ethical leadership, this course offers essential knowledge and practical strategies to guide decision-making under pressure.

Throughout the course, you will explore why ethical failures occur and how to prevent them. You’ll examine how extreme situations can impact judgement, and how leaders can foster cultures of integrity through effective leadership and evidence-based training. The course uses real-world case studies, military contexts, and professional ethical standards to develop your ability to lead with principle.

Structured into five progressive units, the course begins by analysing the root causes of unethical behaviour and advances to the practical application of ethical principles in leadership. You will explore how context influences decision-making, assess the role of leadership in shaping organisational values, and learn to embed ethical practices through education and training. Each unit combines theory and practical insights to help you develop leadership strategies that align with military values and the laws of armed conflict.

By the end of the course, you will be equipped to critically assess ethical challenges, promote ethical conduct, and lead with integrity. No prior qualifications are required, and all course content is delivered in English. Learners are encouraged to reflect on their own experiences, question assumptions, and engage with others in meaningful discussions.

This course is more than an academic exercise—it’s an opportunity to develop ethical leadership in real-world scenarios where the stakes are high, and the consequences of poor decisions can be profound. Whether leading teams on the ground or shaping policy from above, your leadership can drive ethical excellence.

Course format

This self-paced course is delivered through the edX learning platform and is designed to be completed in approximately 5 hours.

What you'll learn

By the end of this course, students should be able to:

• Identify causes of ethical failures in military contexts

• Apply professional standards to military conduct

• Evaluate how extreme stress affects ethical judgement

• Develop leadership strategies that promote integrity

• Align actions with military values and legal standards

• Recognise how context influences ethical choices

• Analyse ethical challenges using real-world case studies

• Promote ethical conduct through training and education

• Address cognitive dissonance in decision-making

• Build ethical cultures within complex organisations

Entry requirements

No formal requirements. English proficiency recommended (IELTS Level 6).

Further information

King’s College London has partnered with the online education platform edX to deliver self-paced short courses to learners worldwide. Anyone can audit the course materials for free, excluding graded assessments, for a limited time. 

For full access to the course, including graded assessments, and to obtain a verified certificate upon successful completion, the USD fee is $249. 

The GBP course fee displayed on this page is for illustrative purposes only and subject to change in line with current exchange rates.

Payment for verified access to the course is made directly via edX. Please see edX Terms of Service for further information.