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Trey Brant, PhD. & William “Bill” Brant, PE
In today’s regulatory and litigation landscape, professional engineers face unprecedented scrutiny. A single ethical lapse—whether by action or omission—can result in license suspension, civil liability, reputational damage, and irreversible harm to the public. This course equips engineers to navigate those high-stakes realities with clarity, courage, and professional discipline.
Grounded in the mandate of the National Society of Professional Engineers (NSPE) Code of Ethics—“Hold paramount the safety, health, and welfare of the public”—this course examines the practical, legal, and organizational dimensions of engineering ethics, with particular emphasis on professional autonomy, informing others appropriately at the right time, safety culture, and regulatory compliance.
Through detailed case analysis—including the Boeing 737 MAX failures involving MCAS software, FAA oversight actions, and the experience of quality engineer John Mitchell Barnett—participants will examine how safety breakdowns occur within bureaucratic systems and how engineers can intervene effectively and lawfully. The course also explores emerging ethical challenges in software and AI systems, including the case of an OpenAI engineer, highlighting the expanding responsibilities of engineers in data-driven and automated environments.
The central message of this course is that ethical engineering is not theoretical—it is operational. It concerns measurable factors: safety, efficiency, fairness, and effective communication. When those standards erode, the public suffers—and so do engineering careers.
This course positions you not merely as a compliant license-holder, but as a Safety Champion: a professional capable of exercising independent judgment, documenting responsibly, communicating effectively, and acting decisively when public welfare is at stake.
Protect your license. Protect your livelihood. Protect the public. Engineering ethics is not optional. It is your professional tool and method—as well as your professional legacy.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
NY PE & PLS: You must choose courses that are technical in nature or related to matters of laws and ethics contributing to the health and welfare of the public. NY Board does not accept courses related to office management, risk management, leadership, marketing, accounting, financial planning, real estate, and basic CAD. Specific course topics that are on the borderline and are not acceptable by the NY Board have been noted under the course description on our website.