Doctorate in Canon Law (J.C.D.)
60 monthsProgramme duration
AugStarting Month
Programme overview
Main Subject
Law and Legal Studies
Degree
Other
Study Level
PhD
Study Mode
On Campus
The Doctor of Canon Law is the terminal degree in the studies of canon law. A canon lawyer is a person trained in the universal law of the Church which is founded in the Code of Canon Law.
The doctoral program consists of two distinct stages. First, for admission to the doctoral program, the student must have successfully received the licentiate degree (J.C.L.) and demonstrated superior academic ability as demonstrated by achievement of an overall A- average in the various components of the licentiate program (i.e., coursework, thesis, comprehensive examination) taken in the aggregate. However, within this overall average, the grade for the thesis must be at least A-.
For students who did not earn the licentiate degree from Catholic University, the student must submit a thesis or major writing project for faculty review and two letters of recommendation, from professors on the faculty where they earned their licentiate degree. A decision is made by the faculty conjointly.
All students considering the doctoral program must write a formal application letter to the Dean, explaining their reasons for advanced canonical study.
Admission to the second stage, doctoral candidacy, follows upon the successful development and submission of the dissertation proposal and requires a separate faculty vote of approval. Prior to such submission, a candidate must demonstrate a fluency in canonical Latin and pass proficiency examinations in two modern languages (Italian, Spanish, German, French) administered by the School of Canon Law.
Programme overview
Main Subject
Law and Legal Studies
Degree
Other
Study Level
PhD
Study Mode
On Campus
The Doctor of Canon Law is the terminal degree in the studies of canon law. A canon lawyer is a person trained in the universal law of the Church which is founded in the Code of Canon Law.
The doctoral program consists of two distinct stages. First, for admission to the doctoral program, the student must have successfully received the licentiate degree (J.C.L.) and demonstrated superior academic ability as demonstrated by achievement of an overall A- average in the various components of the licentiate program (i.e., coursework, thesis, comprehensive examination) taken in the aggregate. However, within this overall average, the grade for the thesis must be at least A-.
For students who did not earn the licentiate degree from Catholic University, the student must submit a thesis or major writing project for faculty review and two letters of recommendation, from professors on the faculty where they earned their licentiate degree. A decision is made by the faculty conjointly.
All students considering the doctoral program must write a formal application letter to the Dean, explaining their reasons for advanced canonical study.
Admission to the second stage, doctoral candidacy, follows upon the successful development and submission of the dissertation proposal and requires a separate faculty vote of approval. Prior to such submission, a candidate must demonstrate a fluency in canonical Latin and pass proficiency examinations in two modern languages (Italian, Spanish, German, French) administered by the School of Canon Law.
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