Catholic theology

Catholic Theology is a doctoral program in Catholic theology focused on scholarly research and independent creative activity in the various specializations of Catholic theology. The object of study is to penetrate more deeply into Christian revelation and what is connected with it, to explain systematically the truths of Christian revelation, to consider new questions connected with them, and to present them to people living in different cultures. The goal of the study is to prepare students for independent scholarly research in the specialties of spiritual theology, systematic theology, dogmatic theology, canon law, pastoral theology, moral theology, comparative theology, ecumenical theology, fundamental theology, biblical theology, world and Slovak church history, liturgics, catechetics, and Christian pedagogy, Christian philosophy for the cultivation and development of one's own theological disciplines and preparation for highly specialized ministries in the ecclesial community and civil society (pastoral centers, charitable and educational institutions, teachers of religious education in primary and secondary schools, administrators, courts, members of parish councils, clergy editors in the mass media, the opportunity to work in research and to act as university teachers in the relevant specialization). Graduates acquire professional pedagogical competence according to the laws of the Slovak Republic and the canon law of the Catholic Church.

The studies are conducted in two cycles (degrees): licentiate (ThLic.) and doctorate(PhD.).

The first degree is called "specialization" (cyclus specialisationis) and concludes with the academic degree of "licentiate of theology" (licentiatus sacrae theologiae, abbreviated "ThLic."). The full-time form usually lasts two years (four semesters) and the part-time form three years. In this degree, special disciplines are taken according to the nature of one's own specialization, and seminars and exercises are held at the same time to acquire competence in theological-scientific research (cf. art. 40b and art. 72b of the Sap. Chr.). During his/her studies, the doctoral student follows a programme of study which includes seminars and examinations in compulsory subjects, compulsory elective subjects and elective (optional) subjects.

After completing the prescribed seminars and examinations, the doctoral student will submit a Licentiate Thesis (100 pages in length) as evidence of his/her competence in scientific work. At the end of his/her studies, the doctoral student shall take a state examination in the field of Catholic theology according to the nature of his/her specialisation and a defence of the Licentiate thesis to prove his/her competence in scientific research. Upon successful completion of the state examination and the thesis defence, the doctoral candidate shall be awarded the academic degree of "Licentiate of Theology". ("ThLic."). After attaining the licentiate degree, the doctoral student may continue his/her doctoral studies with a second degree.

The second degree of doctoral studies usually lasts one year in the full-time form and two years in the part-time form. During this time, the doctoral student is mainly engaged in writing his/her dissertation. This 200-page dissertation, prepared under the supervision of a supervisor, must be defended in a public debate. It is recommended that the doctoral candidate continues to develop the specialisation in which he/she has been working during the licence. After the successful defence, at least part of the thesis must be published and submitted in the specified number of copies to the TF's study department. A copy of each published scientific work (dissertation) is sent to the Congregation for Catholic Education.

In order to be admitted to the defense of the dissertation, the doctoral student must pass a dissertation examination, by which he/she must demonstrate special expertise in the discipline that is the subject of his/her dissertation. By defending the dissertation, the doctoral candidate demonstrates the ability and readiness for independent scholarly and creative activity in the field of Catholic theology. Graduates of doctoral studies are awarded the academic degree of doctor ("philosophiae doctor", abbreviated "PhD").

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